Dominic Broadhurst’s recent resignation from Clarivate’s advisory board isn’t just one librarian’s stand; it’s a flashing red light for the entire library sector. His reasons – protesting Clarivate’s shift away from perpetual ownership of digital collections towards subscription-only models – echo exactly the warnings issued back in December 2022 in the Internet Archive’s report on Securing Digital Rights for Libraries.
The issue is stark: Renting knowledge isn’t the same as owning it.
Clarivate’s move, prioritizing recurring revenue over permanent access, perfectly illustrates the dangers highlighted:
- Loss of Control: When libraries can only subscribe, they lose the fundamental right to own and preserve collections for the long term. Libraries become dependent tenants, not permanent stewards.
- Erosion of Preservation: Subscription models jeopardise the library’s core mission to preserve knowledge for future generations. Content can disappear at a vendor’s whim or price increase, undermining collection stability.
- Threat to Equity: While framed as “affordable access,” mandatory subscriptions risk becoming unsustainable financial burdens, potentially limiting access for the communities libraries serve. True equity requires stable, perpetual access.
- Mission Conflict: As Broadhurst notes, vendor claims of “partnership” ring hollow when commercial interests directly undermine the library’s public service mission. Libraries’ role isn’t just providing temporary access; it’s ensuring lasting availability.
This isn’t just about one vendor. It’s about a fundamental principle: Libraries need ownership and control over digital resources to fulfill their mission. The shift to subscription-only access represents a direct challenge to library autonomy and the enduring public access to knowledge we safeguard.
Broadhurst’s resignation is a painful reminder that the fight for digital rights isn’t theoretical. It’s happening now, and the stakes are high. We must resist models that turn libraries into passive renters and champion solutions that guarantee permanent access and preservation.
The Internet Archive Europe stands firm on the principles outlined in the Internet Archive 2022 report. Libraries must have the right to own, preserve, and lend digital materials. This incident underscores the urgency of that fight. We cannot afford to rent our future.
Feature image by Barkhayot Juraev on Unsplash
