What We Do

Library Futures works to ensure public access to trusted information, defend digital rights, and support the institutions that underpin a healthy democracy, economic and educational opportunity, knowledge discovery, and creative expression. Since 2020, we’ve partnered across sectors, from libraries to policymakers to community organizers, equipping them with the tools, resources, and knowledge to advocate for the libraries and communities they serve.

Librarians and library staff are already experts at helping people find and access the information they need. But accelerated technological change and unjust laws governing digital rights have put new obstacles between libraries and the public.

Our work ensures that librarians, community leaders, and policymakers are prepared to take action on:

the effects of current policy on libraries’ digital rights,
the opportunities and threats digital access holds for libraries,
how to advocate for current and future digital rights policy that better serves their communities.

Issues we Address

Advancing Clear Policy Solutions

Library lending is enshrined in the Copyright Act, and libraries provide broad access to information by lending materials without restriction. But the advent of digitization has uncovered weak points in current policy that must be addressed. We support digital lending that uses technology to mirror the library's right to loan legally acquired books under controlled conditions while respecting copyright.

Fighting Against Corporate Consolidation

Consolidation among corporate publishers is affecting the quality, value, and price of the digital collections available to libraries. To ensure a fair digital future, librarians need access to a competitive marketplace of high-quality publishing partners and distribution platforms so they can meet the growing needs of their communities.

Promoting a Technology-Forward Future

Technological innovations hold both promise and peril for libraries and public life. Librarians can and should engage with the technologies that have the potential to shape the future, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, publishing platforms, Web 3.0, surveillance technologies, and those that will emerge in the coming years.

Our Programs

The core of our model is to work for and with people and institutions at the forefront of new technologies to address their impact on democracy and daily life. We take a comprehensive approach to resourcing and convening a diverse array of practitioners and advocates in order to respond to and create solutions for current issues and potential threats or opportunities in the digital lives of libraries and institutions.

Building the field

Research grants

Supporting and networking independent scholars working at the frontier of libraries, technology, and access.

Internships

Training the next generation of library policy advocates through hands-on work and community.

Professional education

Resources and programming for librarians navigating digital access.