Subject:  Draft IFLA Manifesto on Open Access (fwd)
From:  Stevan Harnad <harnad@ecs.soton.ac.uk>
Date:  Mon, 31 Mar 2003 02:27:56 +0100 (BST)

Draft below. Comments in next message.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2003 17:28:14 +1100
From: Alex Byrne <alex.byrne@uts.edu.au>
Subject: Draft IFLA Manifesto on Open Access
To: september98-forum@amsci-forum.amsci.org
Message-id: <3E83EB7E.1DE848CD@uts.edu.au>
Organization: UTS Library

I am writing on behalf of the Governing Board of IFLA which is seeking
comment on the attached DRAFT IFLA Manifesto on Open Access to Scholarly
Literature and Research Documentation.  We would very much appreciate
your input, preferably by or as soon as possible after 30 April 2003.
Any comments may be sent to me at alex.byrne@uts.edu.au or faxed to me
at +61 2 9514 3332. --  Alex Byrne

IFLA MANIFESTO ON OPEN ACCESS
TO SCHOLARLY LITERATURE AND RESEARCH DOCUMENTATION

IFLA (the International Federation of Library Associations and
Institutions) is committed to ensuring the widest possible access to
information for all peoples in accordance with the principles expressed
in the Glasgow Declaration (see http://www.ifla.org).

IFLA declares that comprehensive open access to scholarly literature and
research documentation is vital to the understanding of our world and to
the identification of solutions to global challenges.

IFLA acknowledges that the discovery, contention, elaboration and
application of research in all fields will enhance human well being,
progress and sustainability.  The peer reviewed scholarly literature is
a vital element in the processes of research and scholarship.  It is
supported by a range of research documentation which includes preprints,
technical reports and records of research data.

IFLA notes that the worldwide network of library and information
services provides access to past, present and future scholarly
literature and research documentation; ensures its preservation; assists
users in discovery and use; and educates users to develop appropriate
information literacies.

IFLA advocates the adoption of the following open access principles by
all involved in the recording and dissemination of research =96 including
authors, editors, publishers, libraries and institutions =96 in order to
ensure the widest possible availability of scholarly literature and
research documentation:

1. Acknowledgement and defence of the moral rights of authors,
especially the rights of attribution and integrity.

2. Recognition of objective and effective peer review processes to
assure the quality of scholarly literature irrespective of mode of
publication and without distortion to support extraneous purposes such
as confirmation of tenure or promotion of faculty.

3. Promotion of measures to facilitate publication of quality assured
scholarly literature and research documentation by researchers and
scholars in developing nations, from indigenous peoples and among those
otherwise disadvantaged.

4. Protection under copyright of all scholarly literature and research
documentation for a strictly limited period determined by law for the
benefit of authors followed by succession to the public domain for the
benefit of all peoples.

5. Strengthening of fair dealing provisions in international copyright
agreements and directives, national laws, and publishing contracts and
licences to ensure unhindered access by other researchers and the
general public.

6. Assurance of the availability to all peoples of all scholarly
literature and research documentation which has been designated by its
authors to be made available through preprints, open access journals and
archives, or other means.

7. Implementation of affordable mechanisms to enable access to scholarly
literature and research documentation by the peoples of developing
nations and all who experience information inequality including the
disabled and otherwise disadvantaged.

8. Inclusion of provisions in law, contracts and licences to ensure
preservation in perpetuity of all scholarly literature and research
documentation in libraries and archives in formats and under conditions
which will ensure enduring availability and useability.

9. Operation of effective systems by libraries and publishers to ensure
the preservation in perpetuity of all scholarly literature and research
documentation with authenticity and continuing useability guaranteed.

Process for adoption approved by IFLA Governing Board 15 March 2003:

1. Discuss at Governing Board March 2003.
2. Seek comment from IPA and CLM.
3. Seek comments from those with a particular interest in open access
issues =96 deadline 30 April 2003.
4. Put draft on IFLANet for comment by other interested parties =96
deadline 30 April 2003.
5. Redraft by 30 May 2003.
6. Governing Board to review and discuss by email by 30 June 2003.
7. Final version to be approved by the Governing Board, August 2003,
Berlin, Germany.

Comments to be sent to Alex Byrne, Member IFLA Governing Board and Chair
IFLA Committee on Free Access to Information and Freedom of Expression,
alex.byrne@uts.edu.au by 30 April 2003.