Get involved

There are two ways to get involved with the Digital Bible Library® (DBL) – become an Intellectual Property Contributor (IPC) or a Library Card Holder (LCH). Contribute texts and other content into the Library by becoming an IPC. By becoming an LCH you have access to the Library and the ability to establish licensing agreements with IP contributors.

Partners View partner profiles

Intellectual Property Contributors
Library Card Holders

Intellectual Property Contributors

Intellectual Property Contributor (IPC)

Intellectual Property Contributors contribute the text, audio, or other content on the DBL. These approved partners hold the copyright for each text, audio or additional content, and establish license agreements with Library Card Holders for the use of the content.

Intellectual Property Contributors can also gain access to other digital files in the library by applying for LCH approval. Although IPCs contribute content, it does not give them automatic access to other library files.

Apply for Intellectual Property Contributor Qualified ministries can gain access to the DBL.

DBL Community and Partnership Values

As members of the DBL community, we acknowledge the following:

The initial translation, quality control, maintenance, and stewardship of Scripture texts is a resource-intensive activity and those that engage in this work are providing a valuable service to the Kingdom of God.
“The laborer is worthy of their hire” and all people engaged in work for the Kingdom are entitled to earn a living from this work. In order to generate these funds, organizations employ various business models, including donation-based models, sales-based models, service-delivery models, among others. All of these models and hybrid models among them are considered reasonable and appropriate and each organization has a right to function in the manner of its choice.
There is a high value placed on people engaging with the content of Scriptures, regardless of the language or form in which it currently exists, so all organizations will seek to work together in ways that foster greater Scripture engagement.

IPC Criteria

Any organization wishing to submit their text, audio or other content (IP) to the DBL must fulfill certain criteria.

Demonstrate Ownership – First and foremost, they need to demonstrate ownership of the content to be submitted as verified by copyright and/or other legal documentation, as recognized by the rules of the country of origin.
Credentials – They need to be recommended by one of the ETEN Alliance Ministries (UBS, Biblica, Wycliffe) or follow the Forum of Bible Agencies International (FOBAI) translation standards. A summary of FOBAI translation standards can be found here.
Reputable Standing – Only reputable organizations will be considered for participation in the DBL. A reputable organization is one that follows the historic tenets of Christianity.
Cooperation – While we don’t expect all partners to hold to similar confessional practices or standards, we do expect them all to be able to operate cordially and constructively with all ETEN members, including the inter-confessional ones. Applying organizations should not have any outstanding conflicts with any current ETEN partners or other Library Card Holders.
Application Review Process – Organizations understand that each application is reviewed by the Partnership Credentials Committee (PCC). The PCC reserves the right to review individual texts for conformance to above mentioned criteria.
Authentication – The ultimate authority for approving new Intellectual Property Holders will be the Partnership Credentials Committee.

IPC Operational Requirements

Technical Knowledge– The DBL expects that a contributing organization has sufficient technical capacity to be able to interact efficiently with DBL staff.
Licensing Management– Contributing organizations will be expected to manage the licensing process for their content within the DBL.
Content Designation– In Bible publication and distribution/engagement, each contributor agrees to reference the United Bible Societies (UBS) designation of Scripture products (Bible, New Testament, Portion, Selection), and for the identification of languages, the SIL Ethnologue as well as its accompanying statistics regarding the number of languages.
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Library Card Holders

Library Card Holders (LCH)

The users of the DBL are not the end users reading the text, but rather the approved Library Card Holders. These approved ministry partners develop applications or websites that take the digital files and present them to users in readable, audible, or viewable formats. Initial card holders include YouVersion’s Bible App (http://bible.com) and American Bible Society’s Bible Search website (http://bibles.org).

Other organizations may apply for a library card through this website. Approved card holders gain access to the digital files through establishing license agreements with IP contributors.

Apply for a Library Card Qualified ministries can gain access to the DBL.

LCH Criteria

Any organization or ministry interested in gaining access to the DBL must fulfill certain criteria.

Reputable Standing– Only reputable organizations will be considered for participation in the DBL. A reputable organization is one that follows the historic tenets of Christianity.
Cooperation– While we don’t expect all partners to hold to similar confessional practices or standards, we do expect them all to be able to operate cordially and constructively with all ETEN members, including the inter-confessional ones. Applying organizations should not have any outstanding conflicts with any current ETEN partners or other Library Card Holders.
Respect –Organizations will adhere to the limits, terms, and conditions of the licenses and permissions granted them by the IP holder.
Accessibility– Receiving a “Library Card” does not automatically mean access to content. Although some content in DBL may be accessed by default (fair use / open access), a majority of the content will require additional licensing steps in order to secure permissions from each IP holder.
Application Review Process– Organizations understand that each application is reviewed by the Partnership Credentials Committee (PCC). The PCC reserves the right to review individual applications for conformance to above mentioned criteria.
Authentication– The ultimate authority for approving new Library Card Holders will be the Partnership Credentials Committee.

LCH Operational Requirements

Technical Background – Library Card Holders should already possess viable distribution technology and a well-functioning digital platform before receiving a library card. See the Technical Competency information here.
Provide Statistics and Reports – All participants need to be able to provide engagement statistics and reports on a regular basis. These statistics need to be detailed enough to accommodate requests from each IP contributor who has provided them access to their content.
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