Statement in Support of the Maryland Attorney General

• By: admin
• On: 02/07/2022 14:28:44
• In: Press Releases
• Comments: 0

The Maryland Library Association expresses its appreciation and whole-hearted support for the Maryland Attorney General's strong defense of the public's right for access to library materials in the lawsuit against Maryland's “Public Libraries - Electronic Literary Product Licenses – Access.”

This law expresses the desire of the residents of Maryland to ensure equal access to information for all. This desire is reflected by the state delegates and senators, who supported this law unanimously. It requires publishers who sell e-books or digital audiobook content to residents in Maryland to provide that same content to libraries with reasonable terms. Attorney General Frosh has proven his commitment to upholding this law protecting access to information for all Marylanders.

The law is not unduly burdensome as the content is already available. Our libraries have always strongly safeguarded authors' works from unfair use. Ample provisions enjoin libraries to protect the content from copyright violation. Withholding content from libraries, on the other hand, unfairly burdens many Maryland residents. They must pay for the content to access it, furthering an already growing digital divide. Marylanders should not be required to have a credit card to be informed residents. Maryland cannot build a just and equitable society if all Marylanders do not have opportunities for access to information.

Read the full press release HERE.