RESOURCE(S)
INTRODUCTION
The present study was funded by the Knowledge Rights 21 (KR21) program, which has been working since 2022 to bring legislative and practical changes across Europe to enhance the right to knowledge. KR21 is supported by IFLA, LIBER, and SPARC Europe and funded by the Arcadia Foundation. The program covers several European countries, aiming to secure public access to works through libraries.
A key issue addressed by KR21 is the challenge libraries face in acquiring and lending eBooks due to restrictive licensing, high costs, and sales embargoes. Although the Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled that e-lending should be treated like physical lending, no country has yet implemented this decision into national law. KR21 advocates for urgent action to allow libraries to own and lend digital works fairly while ensuring authors receive appropriate compensation.
In Greece, the adoption and use of e-books remain low compared to other European countries. Public libraries generally do not provide access to e-books, except for digitised works in the public domain. The National Library of Greece is an exception with its e-reading platform. Academic libraries also face legal barriers preventing them from expanding e-book services, especially for Greek-language content.
Given KR21’s goal of promoting access to knowledge through libraries, this study examines the factors influencing e-book adoption in public and academic libraries in Greece. It aims to assess the maturity of the Greek e-book market and propose solutions for increasing the availability and use of digital books in libraries and among the general public.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
1. Public and Municipal Libraries
Key Findings
Our research highlights the need for Greek public and municipal libraries to adapt their digital services to meet evolving user demands. To effectively manage and provide digital knowledge, these libraries must undertake self-evaluation, reassess their organizational structures, and redefine their roles. Enhancing communication, fostering a digital-friendly culture, and aligning with emerging socio-economic trends are essential steps. Libraries must also upgrade existing services and develop new, value-added offerings to remain relevant in the digital landscape.
Findings indicate that digital reading habits are influenced by age, educational background, and cultural capital. Younger individuals with strong academic and cultural foundations are more likely to engage with digital books. Three main factors shape digital reading behaviour:
- The link between digital literacy, educational attainment, and social background.
- The influence of social origin on digital reading preferences, beyond traditional educational settings.
- The relationship between reading habits and social mobility, shaping digital reading tendencies.
A clear cultural division exists in reading formats, with younger, well-educated individuals more inclined toward digital books and innovative digital tools. The stronger their cultural capital, the more likely they are to adopt digital reading.
Implications for Public and Municipal Libraries
Greek libraries are in an experimental phase regarding digital book services. To facilitate widespread adoption, it is crucial to understand:
- The perception of digital libraries as valuable innovations.
- The role of digital literacy in enabling access to digital books.
- The necessity for self-evaluation and restructuring to optimise digital services.
Libraries must align their offerings with user competencies and social norms. The more compatible digital books are with existing cultural values and reading behaviours, the faster they will be adopted. Additionally, libraries must recognize that digital reading adoption is shaped by education and socialisation. Addressing inequalities in digital literacy will be key to ensuring broad accessibility.
General Conclusions
- Digital reading audiences, particularly among younger users, have expanded significantly.
- Digital literacy correlates with educational attainment and social class, influencing digital book consumption.
- Access to e-books does not guarantee readership; rather, reading disposition is shaped by education and cultural upbringing.
- Effective digital reading policies require an understanding of social behaviours and the factors influencing digital engagement.
- Libraries must position themselves as key players in digital knowledge management and provide enhanced, user-centric digital services to combat digital inequalities.
2. Academic Libraries
- PDF remains the dominant format for e-books.
- Digital book collections now surpass physical collections in terms of access, especially for journals.
- The distinction between “access to e-resources” and “e-book lending” is critical, as access licenses come with restrictions, unlike direct acquisition.
- Greek academic libraries rely on international publishers for e-books, with no local publisher support.
- The dominance of commercial publishers limits interlibrary loan services for e-books.
- The Hellenic Academic Libraries Link (HEAL-Link) plays a crucial role in digital collection development, but a centralised approach may hinder libraries from catering to their unique academic needs.
- Training programs on e-book usage and digital literacy are essential for students and researchers.
- Long-term sustainability concerns arise as libraries depend on external platforms for e-book access.
3. Policy and Legislative Recommendations
Libraries are instrumental in fostering digital literacy and expanding e-book accessibility. To support their role:
- Financial and institutional backing is essential to enhance digital collections.
- Collaboration between ministries, publishers, and regulatory bodies is necessary to promote digital book adoption.
- Libraries should ensure inclusive access to digital resources, contributing to education, research, and social cohesion.
- A unified Greek digital book platform would streamline acquisition and encourage greater digital book production.
- Legal frameworks should safeguard library rights to provide digital lending services and support the National Library of Greece in expanding e-reading initiatives.
By addressing these challenges, Greek libraries can strengthen their digital presence, bridge digital inequalities, and secure their role in the evolving knowledge economy.
CONFERENCE RECORDING
On 13 December 2024, the National Library of Greece (NLG) hosted the “e-Book Evolution: Voices & Vision for Legislative Change” conference at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens. An effort supported by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and Knowledge Rights 21 (KR21), driven by Georgios Glossiotis, KR21’s national coordinator for Cyprus and Greece. Check out the playlist of the 3-part video recording, read the recap, or scroll through the photos.
AUTHOR(S)
Giorgos Glossiotis
Nikos Panayotopoulos
Michalis Kalamaras
