The Icelandic Audio Library provides books for blind, visually impaired, dyslexic or those who have difficulty reading printed characters. All loan recipients must submit a certificate that they have a problem with printed characters.

The library wants to buy audio books

The library is eager to buy more audio books from publishers but in a way that ensures that our service to our loan recipients remains good. It is important that those who cannot use traditional libraries have good access to audio books in our dedicated library. This means that audio books we are interested in buying must be ready at the same or similar time as the printed copies and that publishers are ready to sell the books to the library within certain timeframes. The library does not have the means to buy all books available and provides a book selection committee with the books with a focus on a variety of topics.

More cooperation

Access to published printed material is constantly evolving and new eras and technologies make the possibilities for more equal access better. Everyone can be aware of the limited resources of the audiobook when it comes to educational material, so we are focusing on harmonizing text, images, tables and sounds when it comes to making educational books. A huge streamlining would be achieved by getting the text of the books from publishers in computerized form and by not having the late extra work of scanning the books. The audio library is also ready to assist and advise publishers on publishing books that would be available immediately upon publication.

Abuse of access?

In the past, not all publishers have been satisfied with the legal framework under which the library operates[1] and they have pointed out that the library’s protection against abuse needs to be improved. It is certain that it will never be possible to completely prevent abuse, but the library’s staff is committed to keeping up with the valuable exemption from copyright law. As with other libraries, loans are limited, passwords need to be re-set annually and only one device can be listened to at a time on the same access.

Libraries and what books are in the mobile water

It is of great value to the library to know in time which books are expected from publishers and which books will also be published as audio books.

[1] The library operates under the Icelandic Library Act no. 150/2012 and under Article 19 of the Copyright Act.

From library law: The role of the Icelandic National Library is to provide library services to those who cannot access the normal printed texts by means of the dissemination of a wide range of library material, including educational material, in the best possible manner according to the wishes and needs of the users.

Libraries all play a role in equal access and for the purpose of all being able to read, the National Library of Iceland produces material for loan recipients who are blind, visually impaired and dyslexic and/or others who have difficulty reading printed text.

Article 19 Copyright law: Re-enactment and distribution of copies of published works may be authorized when such copies are specifically intended for use by blind, visually impaired, deaf, or dyslexia or other persons who are unable to use the normal printed language for reading. This provision shall not apply if the re-enactment or distribution is carried out for financial purposes.

The recording of works of literature may be made by means of recordings to be lent to blind, visually impaired, dyslexic and others who are unable to use the normal printed language for reading, provided that the copies are not made for financial purposes.

Authors are entitled to reasonable compensation for such a copy.