Changeflow GovPing Government & Legislation Library of Congress Amends Rules for Internatio...
Routine Rule Amended Final

Library of Congress Amends Rules for International Service

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Published July 28th, 2020
Detected March 15th, 2026
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Summary

The Library of Congress has issued a final rule amending regulations to permit international service for loans of library materials for blind and other print-disabled persons. This change is authorized by the Library of Congress Technical Corrections Act of 2019 and aligns with the Marrakesh Treaty.

What changed

The Library of Congress has finalized amendments to 36 CFR part 701, specifically § 701.6, to allow for the international service of library materials for blind and other print-disabled persons. This amendment, authorized by Title XIV of the Library of Congress Technical Corrections Act of 2019, enables the Librarian of Congress to provide literary works and musical scores in accessible formats to authorized entities in Marrakesh Treaty signatory countries via online means.

This rule is effective July 28, 2020. Authorized entities receiving these materials are contractually required to ensure distribution only to eligible persons within their countries, consistent with U.S. copyright law (17 U.S.C. 121 and 121A). Compliance officers should ensure that any contractual agreements with the Library of Congress for international material distribution adhere to these new requirements.

What to do next

  1. Review contractual obligations for international distribution of library materials for print-disabled persons.
  2. Ensure compliance with the requirement that distributed items originate from the Library of Congress and are provided only to eligible persons in Marrakesh Treaty signatory countries.

Source document (simplified)

Content

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Library of Congress is adopting amendments to allow for international service for loans of library materials for blind
and other print disabled persons, as authorized by Title XIV of the Library of Congress Technical Corrections Act of 2019.

DATES:

Effective July 28, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Emily Vartanian, Senior Counsel, Library of Congress Office of the General Counsel, 202-707-7205, evar@loc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Librarian of Congress is authorized to make regulations with respect to the Library of Congress (2 U.S.C. 136). Since

  neither the Federal Register Act nor the Administrative Procedure Act has binding effect on the legislative branch, the Library
  of Congress is not required to publish its regulations in the CFR. However, because the purpose of the CFR is to “notify industry,
  general business, and the people” (*Toledo, P & W.R.R.* v. *Stover,* 60 F. Supp. 587 (S.D. Ill. 1945)), it is appropriate for the Library to continue publishing those regulations which affect
  the rights and responsibilities of, and restrictions on, the public.

The Library of Congress is adopting amendments to allow for international service for loans of library materials for blind
and other print disabled persons, as authorized by Title XIV of the Library of Congress Technical Corrections Act of 2019.

List of Subjects in 36 CFR Part 701

Libraries, Seals and insignia.

Final Regulation

For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Library of Congress amends 36 CFR part 701 as follows:

PART 701—PROCEDURES AND SERVICES

Regulatory Text 1. The authority citation for part 701 continues to read as follows:

Authority:

2 U.S.C. 136; 18 U.S.C. 1017.

  1. Amend § 701.6 by redesignating paragraph (h) as paragraph (i) and adding a new paragraph (h) to read as follows:

§ 701.6 Loans of library materials for blind and other physically handicapped persons.


(h) International service. The Librarian of Congress is authorized by Public Law 116-94, Title XIV, the Library of Congress Technical Corrections Act
of 2019, to provide literary works published in raised characters, on sound-reproduction recordings, or in any other accessible
format, and musical scores, instructional texts, and other specialized materials used in furthering educational, vocational,
and cultural opportunities in the field of music published in any accessible format, to authorized entities located in a country
that is a party to the Marrakesh Treaty, if any such items are delivered to authorized entities through online, not physical,
means. The Librarian may contract or otherwise arrange with such authorized entities to deliver such items to eligible persons
located in their countries in any accessible format and consistent with section 121A of title 17, United States Code. “Eligible
persons” for the purpose of this paragraph (h) has the meaning given it in 17 U.S.C. 121. Each authorized entity shall be
contractually required to ensure that items originating from the Library of Congress are distributed only to eligible persons.


Dated: July 22, 2020. Carla D. Hayden, Librarian of Congress. [FR Doc. 2020-16270 Filed 7-27-20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 1410-30-P

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Classification

Agency
LOC
Published
July 28th, 2020
Instrument
Rule
Legal weight
Binding
Stage
Final
Change scope
Substantive

Who this affects

Applies to
Healthcare providers
Geographic scope
International

Taxonomy

Primary area
Healthcare
Operational domain
Compliance
Topics
Accessibility International Law

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