Ensure reading opportunities by expanding access to digital libraries

Library closures and access restrictions due to the novel coronavirus epidemic have recently surfaced as an issue. It might be a good idea to consider the complementary use of digital library services to lend users e-books.

According to researchers who studied public libraries’ responses to the recent COVID-19 situation, more than 90% of libraries across the nation were closed in early May during the state of emergency. Although the majority of them have resumed services, there have been many facilities that have reduced the number of seats available for users.

During the period when it was difficult for libraries to lend visitors books and help users in their materials research, the use of digital libraries grew rapidly. A major operator of the service said the lending of e-books in May was more than five times higher than the same month last year.

The lending of digital books began to become available at public libraries about 10 years ago by setting the number of copies that can be borrowed at the same time and the loan period in the same way as physical books. Although the service has been introduced by only about 7% of the municipalities that have libraries, it is a useful alternative way to lend books when visits to libraries by local residents are restricted.

Until recently, public libraries have operated based on the premise of lending physical books. They hold sessions to read picture books out loud to children and support lifelong learning. Through such activities, their contributions to local communities have further increased. First, it is important for libraries to take measures to prevent the spread of infections so that users can visit them free from anxiety.

Even if public libraries cannot fulfill their usual primary role, it is hoped that they will keep providing opportunities for reading. Digital books can also help people retain the habit of reading physical books. Introducing digital library services is worth considering, while maintaining a good balance with improving the collection.

The law on reading accessibility calls for improving the reading environment for people with impairments. Some digital books have text-to-speech functions, which are helpful for the visually impaired.

The ongoing epidemic also has restricted access to university libraries. Especially in the field of humanities, many researchers and students are unable to study documents, such as out-of-print books that are difficult to obtain.

For academic and research purposes, one digital library service has adopted for a limited time measures to raise the maximum number of copies that can be viewed simultaneously. With the consent of relevant publishers, this may be a timely approach.

Due to the restrictions imposed by the Copyright Law, the use of electronic collections operated by the National Diet Library is stagnating.

Although the library has digitized 2.74 million items in its collection, 2.2 million of them must be viewed only at the library or at public or university libraries. These facilities, however, were forced to close or restrict visitors due to the virus crisis, making it difficult to access them.

The Cultural Affairs Agency plans to review the provision of the Copyright Law that stipulates the rights restrictions as a measure to deal with the digitization of library collections. Continuous efforts should be made to hold multifaceted discussions to ensure that copyright holders and publishers are not put at a disadvantage.