General information on restoration projects in territorial libraries

Decree no. 2020-195 of 4 March 2020 on various provisions relating to libraries

The Decree no. 2020-195 of 4 March 2020 changes the rules for State review of restoration projects submitted by territorial libraries.

Article R.311-3 of the Heritage Code provides that "the local authorities or their groups shall inform the regional prefect of projects for the restoration of heritage documents, before the signature of the contract established for this purpose or, failing that, before the intervention, where the amount of the estimate exceeds a threshold determined by order of the Minister of Culture. The pieces to be supplied to the regional prefect are fixed by decree of the Minister of Culture.

The regional prefect has three months to authorize restoration projects on heritage documents belonging to the State or to express his opinion on restoration projects on heritage documents belonging to the communities or their groupings. On expiry of that period, the authorization shall be deemed to have been granted or the opinion shall be deemed to have been favourable.

The work cannot start before authorisation or notice".

Order of 1 April 2020 of the Minister of Culture

Order of 1 April 2020 sets the amounts of estimates for projects to restore heritage documents, beyond which the local authorities or their groups inform the regional prefect. These amounts are determined as follows:

• 1000 euros excl. tax per printed or manuscript;
• 500 euros excluding taxes per graphic document.

A group of experts convened by the Ministry of Culture is responsible for providing its assessment of the projects, in order to inform the decision of the regional prefect.

A copy of the complete file sent to the Regional Prefect (Regional Cultural Affairs Directorate) must also be sent to the Book and Reading Service (Heritage Office), attention François Lenell (francois.lenell@culture.gouv.fr) to be submitted to the expert group at one of its meetings. To send the file documents, please use WeTransfer.

Library colleagues who have submitted restoration projects have the opportunity, if they wish, to present these projects to the expert group at one of its meetings. In this case, they are asked to announce their visit at least 15 days before the meeting. Their mission is at the expense of their community.

For more information on a financial assistance scheme for restoration projects, click here.