Vade-me cum on the implementation of the copyright exception in public libraries
Public reading libraries have a strong role to play in providing accessible reading and services across the country, closer to people with disabilities.
It is currently estimated that fewer than 30,000 people have access to adapted reading services.
In a context of a shortage of accessible documents and where digital (text or audio) represents the most promising method of access to books and reading, the main challenge is to improve the dissemination of accessible or adapted works within the framework of the Exception handicap au droit d'auteur, for the benefit of people prevented from reading because of a disability or disorder (dyslexia, dysphasia, dyspraxia, etc.).
The interdepartmental inspection report IGAC-IGAS-IGAENR on the adaptation of the works was delivered to the three ministers concerned in December 2016. The main recommendations for the Ministry of Culture alone are:
- Strengthen the role of BnF as a “trusted third party” between commercial publishers and authorised bodies;
- Develop the dissemination and production of adapted publishing;
- Increase and improve the offer of natively accessible digital reading.
In accordance with recommendation no. 19 of the aforementioned ministerial inspection report, a working group “Objectif 300 bibliothèques publiques habilitaes en 2019” has been set up to support public libraries (territorial and academic in particular) in their inclusion in the framework of the Exception handicap to copyright.
The meetings of this working group led to the completion of the Guide to the implementation of the disability exception in public libraries (documents to consult opposite) , summarizing the guide of good practices for organizations authorised to adapt or disseminate works under right for the benefit of persons with disabilities.
Les Regional Municipal Libraries (RVBM), the Classified Municipal Libraries (BMC), the Digital Reference Libraries (RNB) and, on another scale, the Departmental libraries (BD) have a particular vocation to be part of the dynamic of a range of services and collections for book users who are prevented by a disability or disorder (dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysphasia, etc.).
