美國圖書館協會各分會對電子書價格的聯合聲明

大部分美國圖書館協會(American Library Association, ALA)57個州及地區的分會已經簽署了一項聯合聲明，反對出版社和經銷商過去數年來銷售電子書給圖書館的不公平價格策略。

ALA理事長Maureen Sullivan指出：“聯合聲明彰顯了這個議題對公眾而言是非常重要的。全國各地的圖書館員每天都面對他們讀者抱怨為何使用電子書會遇到這麼多限制。ALA完全支持這項來自草根基層的努力。“

到目前為止，已經有43個 ALA分會簽署了聲明，印第安納州圖書館聯合會執行主任Susan Akers預計未來數週將有更多分會加入。

Akers說，在印第安納州圖書館協會（ILF）9月的董事會會議上，一位ALA印第安納州分會委員提出了他對圖書館購買電子書之價格不斷上漲的憂慮。董事會希望透過一些行動讓出版商知道圖書館界反對他們的漲價行為。於是乎，董事會成員就開始草擬一項讓各州圖書館學會參與聯署的聯合聲明。

Akers還說，這份文件的目的是在採用集體、草根的力量，表達來自全國圖書館與其讀者對電子書價格的共同關注。

以下是ALA各分會關於電子書價格的聯合聲明：

The American people long ago realized the importance of creating and maintaining a literate and informed citizenry. Publishers, authors, distributors, and literary agencies have long recognized the important role played in our society by our libraries. In the past, they have supported libraries by providing purchasing discounts of printed materials, promoting authors, and working with librarians to increase accessibility and enjoyment of the written word.
美國人早就意識到建立和維護具有文化素養與有教養、資訊普及傳播之公民社會的重要性。出版商、作者、經銷商和文學機構很早就體認到圖書館在社會中所扮演的重要角色，在過去，他們一直透過各種方式支持圖書館，包括：提供採購折扣、行銷作者，並與圖書館員合作提升各種讀物的可及性和讓讀者沉浸在閱讀的喜悅中。

In this technological age, libraries must stay responsive to the public and deliver the written word in both electronic and print formats. The Indiana Library Federation, the New Jersey Library Association, and the Montana Library Association are increasingly concerned about the publishers and distributors whose policies withhold e-content from library users.
在這個科技時代，圖書館必須保持順應民情，並提供電子化和印刷形式的文字讀物。印第安納州圖書館聯盟、新澤西州圖書館協會，和蒙大拿州圖書館協會越來越關注某些版商和經銷商企圖抑制讀者從圖書館取得電子書的政策。　

Libraries, like other consumers, should be free to buy any published e-content at competitive prices, to keep these items in their collection, and to loan them to their patrons. Anything less violates basic democratic principles of a free market, freedom of speech, and equitable access. If financial barriers are removed in libraries, all citizens would have equal access to this material.
就像其他消費者一樣，圖書館應該要能以競爭性的價格自由地購買任何出版的電子化內容，將其列為圖書館館藏，並提供讀者借閱。如果不這樣做，就等同違反了自由市場的基本民主原則、言論自由，和公平取用。如果財政障礙得以從圖書館清楚，所有公民將能平等地取用電子內容。

The Indiana Library Federation is in agreement with the Montana Library Association, which asks publishers of e-content to place libraries on a level playing field with other consumers of e-content. The cooperative relationship among publishers, authors, distributors, and agents must be restored.
印第安納州圖書館聯合會贊成蒙大拿州圖書館協會對電子內容出版商所提出的要求，該要求指出：圖書館應該要如同其他電子書的消費者處於同等的地位，出版商、作者、經銷商和代理商與圖書館之間的合作關係，必須得到恢復。

We are aware that the American Library Association is our national voice to advocate for access to content for all members of our society and that the ALA has a Working Group on Digital Content in Libraries examining many of the issues identified above.
我們都知道，美國圖書館協會致力於推動讓我們社會的所有成員都能取用到各類型的內容，且ALA已經組成圖書館數位內容工作小組來檢視前述各項議題。

The Indiana Library Federation, the New Jersey Library Association, and the Montana Library Association strongly oppose the actions by publishers and distributors who set unfair conditions for the sale of e-content to libraries. These conditions include unfair pricing, controlled distribution, restricted ownership, and reduced access of e-content.
印第安納州圖書館聯盟、新澤西州圖書館協會和蒙大拿州圖書館協會強烈反對電子書出版商和經銷商對銷售給圖書館的設定不公平的條件。這些條件包括不公平的價格、受控制的散ㄅ佈，受到限制的所有權，減少電子內容的取用。


We join with the American Library Association and the other state chapters to speak out and vigorously oppose these discriminatory policies.
我們加入美國圖書館協會和其他州分會章節的聲明，強烈反對這些歧視性的政策。

資料來源：American Libraries. ALA Chapters Issue Joint Statement on E-Content Pricing.