Inclusion Service
The IFLA-UNESCO Public Library Manifesto 2022 declares the public library as a provider of “publicly accessible space for the production of knowledge, sharing and exchange of information and culture, and promotion of civic engagement.” The concern of the Lisbon Libraries (BLX) to ensure that everyone can benefit from its services led to the creation of the Inclusion Service.
The guarantee of equal and fair participation and access in society is stated in various documents:
“Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits“.
Article 27, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 10 December 1948.
“The state shall promote the democratisation of culture by encouraging and ensuring access by all citizens to cultural enjoyment and creation, in cooperation with the media, cultural associations and foundations, cultural and recreational groups, cultural heritage associations, residents’ organisations and other cultural agents.“
Article 73, Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, 30 October 1982.
The mission of BLX is to help build cohesive, inclusive communities that are prepared for the challenges of the 21st century by fostering an attitude of lifelong learning. This mission is based on values such as innovation, citizenship, accessibility, social responsibility and inclusion.
From this perspective, the Inclusion Service presents itself as a cultural and social commitment to the community, seeking to respond to its specific needs.
What to expect from the BLX Inclusion Service?
– Participation in the selection of titles for the BLX Network, ensuring an offer of titles in Braille and other formats suitable for people with special needs;
– Participation in the programming of the BLX Network, ensuring a range of discussion and learning opportunities on a variety of topics related to social inclusion, equality or accessibility;
– Active involvement in the accessibility needs of the BLX Network spaces, with the aim of identifying opportunities for improvement and promoting their implementation;
– Promote training and ongoing support for library teams to ensure an effective and competent response to the specific needs of their users.
The Inclusion Service thus presents itself as a service aimed at promoting access to culture and information for all, ensuring that the BLX network is in line with the latest national and international guidelines promoting inclusion.
It also provides the following services for blind and visually impaired people:
- Digitisation of written material;
- Braille prints;
- Loan of Braille, audio and other non-book materials in large print and digital formats
- Free delivery of documents in Braille, electronic and audio formats nationwide and to Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP) via CTT (by cecogram) or e-mail.
Contact should be made by e-mail or telephone.
Contact details:
drb.inclusao@cm-lisboa.pt or isabel.a.monteiro@cm-lisboa.pt
T. 913 067 268
Edifício do Alto da Eira – Rua Frei Manuel do Cenáculo, Torre 2 – r/c
1170-150 Lisboa
Portugal