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Funding and governance of library and information services for visually impaired people: international case studies

Part2:Country studies

Canada

Overlaps - are they a problem?

The roles and responsibilities of the various organizations are generally clear. CNIB provides a national service. Bibliotheque nationale du Quebec provides a provincial service in the province of Quebec. Public libraries (not uniformly) also provide services locally. The educational sector ensures curriculum materials are provided to students.

Sometimes the same item is required in alternative format from various sectors. Canadian alternative format producers work with the Library and Archives union catalogue to avoid duplication of materials. Some people may choose to get service from one to all of the agencies. For example, a person with vision loss who requires audio and large print may be able to get both from a small collection at their public library, and/or just audio from a large collection at CNIB.