Libraries and Overcoming «Book Famine»: Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, Otherwise Print Disabled

Around the world, people with visual impairments suffer from a shortage of print and cultural materials in accessible formats. To solve the problem of the so-called «global book famine» in 2013 by the Diplomatic Conference of the World Intellectual Pro- perty Organization (WIPO) in Marrakech, several dozen countries had signed the treaty. The detailed analysis of «Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled» and its norms are given. It is specially noted that the norms of the Marrakesh Treaty should be incorporated into the legislation of each of the coming countries, with its implementation at national level. Much attention is given to copyright restrictions and exceptions which must be incorporated into each country's national legislation. The list of bodies that may be qualified as authorized bodies under the Marrakesh Treaty proposes to include libra- ries providing services on a non-commercial basis. The role of libraries has been proved in achieving the goal of the Marrakesh Treaty. Ukraine's accession to the Marrakesh Treaty with a view to ensuring the rights of persons with visual impairments to intellectual, creative development is considered. Circumstances that cannot be sufficiently guaranteed to create the most accessible and comfortable environment and to provide conditions for equal and free access to information for the visually handicapped are examined. It is reported that the situation with access to books for people with limited ability to perceive printed information in Ukraine is critical one. Information on providing books for people with vision problems to Ukrainian libraries is presented. Ukraine's ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty will allow libraries to expand access to books, magazines and educational materials for persons with disabilities and provide them with equal access to the cultural and social life of society, an opportunity to exchange copies of works created in accessible formats internationally is proposed.