LIBER Action Plan on Improving Access and Reuse of Research Results

Introducing the LIBER Action Plan on Improving Access and Reuse of Research Results by Addressing Copyright and Data Legislative and Regulatory Issues.

Research libraries provide researchers with access to content and data, yet despite their efforts, scientists across Europe in all disciplines still report problems. Open Access and Open Science help but it is not enough. Not all content can be provided by a research library. Not all research content and data are open, and when they are closed or not available through a library, researchers are concerned because the data laws are so disjointed and complex.  As a result, essential research in every field is being hindered.

Following the release of the European Commission (EC) study “Improving Access to and Reuse of Research Results, Publications and Data for Scientific Purposes” in May 2024, LIBER undertook a project to translate this comprehensive report into an action plan for research libraries to help tackle some of the challenges libraries and researchers face when accessing and using research outputs, research materials and research data. Conducted as part of the Knowledge Rights 21 project, funded by Arcadia, the project brought together the report’s authors and experts from LIBER’s Copyright and Legal Matters Working Group to distil the 1200 pages into a succinct 35-point action for research libraries, research institutions and national bodies, and EU level legislators.

Alex Fenlon, Head of copyright and licensing at the University of Birmingham, UK, and Co-Chair of the LIBER Copyright & Legal Matters Working Group outlines: “The EC report reflects the huge complexity the libraries and researchers face when trying to carry out their work. The report surfaces these with the voices of researchers coming through loud and clear- they still can’t access and use what they need to, and this is stopping research.” To help combat this, the Action Plan provides a number of tangible actions for research libraries, our institutions, national, and international bodies that can help address some of the challenges raised by the report.

 We need to remove barriers that prevent researchers from answering some of the world’s most pressing challenges whether these are cultural, social, economic or environmental. Hopefully, the Action Plan will help do some of this. To be able to come together with colleagues from across Europe and focus on the translation of this significant EC report, converting it into something actionable was great.

Alex Fenlon, LIBER Copyright & Legal Matters Working Group

 The Action Plan – created by and for LIBER libraries, institutions and all beyond- involved the research library community throughout its creation. An in-person workshop was held during the LIBER Winter Event in November 2024, followed by an Open Consultation in February 2025. Insights and recommendations from these engagements were incorporated into the final version of the Action Plan.

Reflecting on the Action Plan’s development, Alex adds: “I am grateful for LIBER and KR21 in supporting this project and producing this Action Plan. I really appreciate the EC report’s authors in providing their time and expertise to help us come up with tangible actions for our community.  Thank you to my Working Group Co-Chairs Judith Ludwig (Technische Informationsbibliothek, Germany) and Susan Reilly (Irish Research e-Library, Ireland) for sharing their reflections, insight, knowledge, and expertise. Maurits van der Graaf (Pleiade Management & Consultancy) deserves a huge thanks too – his patience, critique, and insight were vital to ensure we stayed on brief.”