Fotografowanie zbiorów specjalnych w polskich bibliotekach naukowych: przepisy i praktyka

Abstract

The article describes the legal situation and factual restrictions on sharing the special collections in Polish academic libraries. Particular attention is paid to the possibility of taking pictures of early printed books and manuscripts by the readers. It is forbidden in some of the most important libraries, e.g. in Katowice, Wrocław and Kórnik. The purpose of the article is to prove that regulations of this kind are not included in applicable law and unfavourable for the readers. The main arguments in favor introducing the permission for self-archiving using a digital camera are: enabling to provide scientifi c research for library readers and effective protection of valuable books by reducing the frequency and time of sharing it.