Higher VAT also hinders access to science

The proposed increase in the VAT rate from 9% to 21% on books will have a major impact on the accessibility of higher education. Although scientific information is one of the important sources of knowledge, students will incur more costs for their studies. At the same time, university libraries will be able to make less scientific information available. In addition, an additional tax on knowledge exchange comes at the expense of innovation. This not only hinders the competitive position of the Netherlands in an international perspective, but also national security, for example in the field of knowledge building about the rapid development of AI.  

That is why the Dutch University Libraries and the KB, national library, express their support for Geenhogerebtw.nl and Boekpetitie.nl . We call on everyone to sign the petition against the intention to increase VAT on books and various scientific information sources by 12%.