What is the BRASED Library?

The BRASED Library is a community library, formed as a way for our members to share materials, such as books or video, with other Members.  In short, we would like to see the Library as an extension of our community.

Why have a Community Library?

The goal is simple, to increase the presentation of Brazilian culture in our community, we would like to share the materials held by our members.  We would like to provide our members with greater access to materials that are not available here in Canada, so our Brazilian members can have access to shows or books they have missed, and our Canadian members may have an opportunity to experience more  Brazilian culture and perhaps learn some more Portuguese.

 How does this work?

In principle, that is easy.   But in practice, it is difficult to circulate the DVDs held by our members.  People are understandably reluctant to share materials that cannot be replaced in Canada (and may not be replaceable in Brazil, being out of production).   If a disc is damaged, we may collect the replacement cost from the borrower, but we cannot just go to Future Shop and buy a new copy.  Discs that were expensive in Brazil are now priceless here.  But without the willingness to loan these materials, we lose the ability for others to see them.  Our solution is to make copies of DVDs for circulation among our members.

Copies?  Is this Piracy?

We have considered this carefully, to balance the protection of copyrights with the security for our members that their video collections are safe.  In our research on copyrights, we found that libraries may make one copy of rare or irreplaceable materials in their collections, if they do not circulate both the copy and the original.  They would distribute the copy while holding the original in safekeeping.

 The owner of the original DVD will loan the discs to us, and we will make the distribution copy.

We will then return the original to the owner.  The owner of the disc (the donor) must sign an agreement with us that they will not loan out the original to anyone for the life of the agreement, and must provide us one week's notice to cancel the agreement – to allow us time to recover and destroy the copy we made.  With only one copy in circulation, and only among members of our Society, we are respecting the rights of the copyright holders.

 We request that our members not make copies of the discs we loan out, out of respect for the copyright holders.  We are creating this library as a means to share material, not to make illegal copies.

What prevents donors from loaning out their discs?

They have agreed not to.  We are not planning to be Library Police, looking to see if people are breaking the rules.  We will have our donors written agreement that they will not loan out the originals, and we depend on our members.

 We believe our members will respect the rules of the Library.  We are trying to find a way to  provide access to our members while respecting the rights of the owners of the DVDs and the rights of the copyright holders.

Who runs the Library?

The Director of Arts and Culture will be the BRASED Librarian.

What is the cost?

We will charge $5 per family per year for our members to join the Library, and borrow materials.  Only Members may join the Library.  Access to our community DVDs and books will be another benefit of membership.

 Members will also be charged for lost/damaged materials.  The replacement costs for books and discs will  be determined on a case by case basis.

Where does this money go?

It is not our intention to profit from this library.  The fees charged are intended to offset the costs of establishing the library, as we need to purchase materials for the distribution copy of each DVD.   We will establish a separate Library Fund, that will hold any surplus made from the Library,  so that these funds are invested back into the Library.  We may use profits to purchase new material to distribute among our members.

 What are the rules for the Library?

We are still working to get the Library going, so the day-to-day rules are still under development.  We may need to change the rules as we go along, to keep things working smoothly.

 The Librarian may make rules restricting how many discs may be borrowed at one time, and how long people may hold the discs. 

 The Board may, at the Librarian's request, set late-return penalties for materials.

 Members who frequently damage or lose materials, or do not return materials on time, may have their membership privileges taken away.  To be fair, we need to keep items in circulation to let others have a chance to see the shows too. 

The Library is part of our community, and can only work if we all do our part. The assistance of our members in making this Library work is appreciated.

 Will other materials become available?

Currently we are loaning out books and DVDs.  We may add CDs or other materials at a later date.  Let us know your suggestions.  We will appreciate hearing from you.