AddThis SmartLayers

Industry bodies to help decide on digital future

Press industry bodies are to take part in discussions with the Government over plans to set up trial schemes for putting digital material in libraries and helping people to access it.

The Digital Content Forum, which includes The Newspaper Society, the Periodical Publishers’ Association and the UK Association of Online Publishers, has been working with the British Library on the format of a new Government Advisory panel set up under the Libraries Bill.

There are fears that having such material available in libraries may cause problems with viability of some companies, which charge a subscription to view publications.

The final panel, to be decided on by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, and the Department of Trade and Industry, will represent librarians, publishers, consumers, the necessary experts, and all relevant UK Governments.

The two Government departments are to meet on November 17 to take the next step forward.

Back to the online index

Do you have an online story for us?
E-mail us now