The British Library has welcomed the UK government's commitment to proceed with introducing the Legal Deposit Libraries (Non-print works) Regulations in April 2013. The statement by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (September 5, 2012) follows a public consultation which closed in May 2012.
Since the introduction of the 2003 Legal Deposit Libraries Act, the Legal Deposit Libraries have been working with the government and publishers to secure the necessary regulations to collect material published digitally and online.
The Non-Print Legal Deposit regulations would empower the British Library to collect, store and preserve the nation’s memory in the digital age. To date, much of the country's published heritage has reportedly been lost to a digital black hole with information and records of major events of the 21st century lost forever.
It is expected that a comprehensive archive of digital and non-printed materials, preserved for generations to come, will provide significant research benefits. This is seen to enable the creation of new knowledge, inspiring innovation and creating cultural and economic value for the UK.
