During the COVID-19 pandemic, librarians in EIFL partner countries reported problems providing access to educational resources during lockdowns. For printed materials in the library’s collection, there are often no licensed electronic versions available, especially for textbooks and other materials needed in local languages. In this situation, copyright law determines what librarians can and cannot do to alleviate the situation.

EIFL put together a tip sheet on the options available from a copyright perspective to guide librarians in emergency situations when institutions are forced to close, due to extreme weather, conflict, or future pandemics