Page 175 - JOURNAL OF LIBRARY SCIENCE IN CHINA 2018 Vol. 43

175
Extended English abstracts of articles published in the Chinese edition of Journal of Library Science in China 2017 Vol.43 175

copyright authorization mode of library e-books, finds the existing problems, puts forward the
strategy of optimizing the existing unreasonable authorization mode, and provides a valuable
reference for the promotion of library e-books service and the development of the e-books industry
ecosystem.
The publishing, market and usage of e-books involve many interest groups such as authors,
publishers, aggregators, self-publishers, wholesalers, agents, libraries and users. The copyright
of e-books has been changed from authors to other authorized main groups. According to the
difference of library e-books platform managers, library e-books copyright authorization chains
can be divided into three modes, namely aggregator-led, publisher-led and library-led modes. On
the basis of the analysis of the authorized chain, the copyright authorization mode of library e-books
is classified into single-user, multi-user and hybrid-user with seven types. Different modes and
types have their own characteristics.
Taking the United States and China as example, the paper explores the application of the current
situation of the library e-books copyright authorization mode, and finds that there are obvious
differences in different types of library e-books license terms in America. Single-user mode is
widely used in public libraries, and multi-user mode is the most widely used mode in the primary
and secondary school libraries. The e-books provider’s licensing restrictions for public libraries are
much more stringent than for the primary and secondary school libraries. Compared with America,
multi-user subscription is the main type of copyright authorization mode in China；there is fewer
types and licensing restrictions than in America, but the number of the new e-books of our country
is obviously inadequate.
The study finds that the current copyright authorization mode of library e-books is mainly
controlled by the e-books suppliers. The multi-user permanent access mode that the library
is most willing to use is not supported by the suppliers, which has a negative impact on the
construction and service of library e-books resources. A variety of licensing restrictions prevent
users from using e-books, and the authorization model is far away from meeting the demand of
users. It is believed that the establishment of a reasonable mode of copyright authorization needs
the interest groups to establish the ecological view of thinking, and compromise in the process
of the interest game. The libraries, representing the interests of the users, should stand for the
public interest and adhere to the concept of freedom of information acquisition and promote
users’ using e-books. Four strategies are proposed to optimize the e-books authorization mode,
including promoting government-led practices in the development of e-books authorization
mechanism, making full use of the role of library associations, strengthening and pursuing win-
win cooperation with multiple stakeholders, and improving competition mechanism of e-books
market.