Our Future Memory continues to grow its global coalition defending memory institutions’ digital rights. Internet Archive Europe is proud to announce that three more organisations have signed the Statement on the Four Digital Rights of Memory Institutions, adding more voices to the call for a future where libraries, archives, and cultural heritage institutions can continue their mission in the digital age.
Our newest signatories are:
- The Boston Library Consortium (BLC) – United States
- Irish Universities Association Librarians’ Group (IUALG) – Ireland
- Library Futures – United States
They join more than forty umbrella organisations and institutions worldwide that have endorsed the Four Rights: the Right to Collect, the Right to Preserve, the Right to Lend, and the Right to Cooperate.
Irish Universities Association Librarians’ Group – Ireland
The Irish Universities Association Librarians’ Group (IUALG), representing academic librarians across Ireland’s universities, brings a clear and urgent message about why these rights matter:
“The Irish Universities Association Librarians’ group is pleased to sign this statement. We, as academic librarians, affirm that people’s right to learn depends on libraries’ ability to collect, preserve, and provide access in the digital realm just as we have always done in the physical one. These principles are not aspirational; they are essential to safeguarding global knowledge for generations to come.”
Boston Library Consortium – United States
Representing twenty-six leading research libraries across New England, the Boston Library Consortium (BLC) strengthens the collective power of institutions committed to equitable access to knowledge.
As Executive Director Charlie Barlow states:
“BLC is proud to join institutions worldwide in defending our rights to collect, preserve, provide access, and cooperate. Libraries safeguard cultural memory—and online content shouldn’t be an exception.”
Library Futures – United States
Library Futures is a project of The Engelberg Center on Innovation Law & Policy at NYU Law. Founded to build a more equitable digital future for libraries, Library Futures is a key advocate for balanced digital ecosystems and stronger public-interest infrastructures. Their endorsement reinforces the urgency behind securing the Four Rights for all memory institutions.
A Growing Global Movement
These endorsements continue a trend of rapid international alignment, including through translation initiatives ranging from French by the Internet Archive Canada to Papamiento and Dutch by the Biblioteca Nacional Aruba and Maarten Zeinstra from IP Squared.
Together, these voices demonstrate a shared understanding about the problems facing memory institutions in the digital age and the legal protections they need to keep preserving and providing access to our cultural record .
Join the Movement
🔗 Sign the Statement: https://ourfuturememory.org
📧 Contact the Campaign: campaigns@internetarchive.eu
Our future memory depends on the choices we make today.
Learn More
Informational Webinar on 27 January 2026
Join the Internet Archive and partners for “Protect Our Future Memory: Join the Call for Library Digital Rights,” a webinar introducing the movement.
- When: 27 January 2026 – 19:00 GMT+1/ 10:00 PT / 13:00 ET
- Duration: one hour
- Format: online
- Register here
Shop Talk @ the Ontario Library Association Conference on 30 January 2026
Discover the “4 Rights for Digital Libraries” at this 15-minute session at the OLA Conference in Ontario, Canada.
- When: 30 January 2026
- Duration: 15 minutes
- Format: in person
- More info here
Podcast: Hear the Voices Behind the Movement
To explore the origins, urgency, and global significance of the Four Digital Rights, we encourage you to listen to the Future Knowledge podcast episode on this campaign. Featuring leaders from across the library, archive, and digital rights communities, the episode offers essential context on why these rights matter—and what’s at stake.
