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> Digitise and make available literary works from the 20th and 21st century otherwise digitally hidden to a wide European community
> Improve access to 20th and 21st century textual works for blind and visually impaired users and for a younger audience
> Reinforce the capacity of library staff and of other cultural heritage institutions to operate regionally, nationally, transnationally and internationally with regard to dealing adequately with rights clearance
General Public / Blind or Visually Impaired Individuals / Library and Cultural Heritage Professionals
Austria, Czechia, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden
Creative Europe - Culture Sub-programme (2014-2020)
The EODOPEN project offers several key benefits for small, locally-focused cultural organisations. The Rights Clearance Documentation Tool (RCDT) is user-friendly, simplifying copyright processes. Reusable training materials, including videos and handbooks, can be easily adapted to local needs. The initiative also promotes accessible formats (EPUB, mobile, and assistive technologies), helping small institutions reach a wider audience with minimal cost. The approach is scalable and can be applied to smaller collections with limited resources.
External factors that could enhance success include partnerships with digital access and copyright experts, which can fill skill gaps and improve the initiative’s effectiveness. The growing demand for inclusive and accessible cultural content further supports the relevance of the project. Finally, community engagement in content selection ensures relevance and helps boost visibility for these institutions.
The EODOPEN project faces some internal limitations, particularly regarding staff expertise. Smaller cultural organisations may lack the technical skills needed to manage digital tools and copyright processes without external support. Additionally, the high upfront costs of digitization and rights clearance may be a barrier, especially for organisations with limited budgets, and ongoing maintenance could be challenging without dedicated resources.
Externally, there are challenges such as resistance to adopting new technologies by some institutions and audiences who are accustomed to traditional methods. Additionally, low digital literacy among certain groups could hinder the effective use of digital tools and accessible formats. Small organisations may also struggle with competition from larger institutions with more resources, and technical issues could disrupt implementation.
These factors must be addressed to ensure the initiative’s success, particularly for smaller, resource-constrained organisations.
Online Rights Clearance Documentation Tool: Developed by the project to assist librarians in documenting and managing copyright statuses, particularly for orphan and out-of-print works, ensuring legal compliance in digitization efforts.
Online Surveys: Conducted to gather insights on user experiences with e-books, informing the development of formats and features that meet the needs of diverse user groups, including those with disabilities
OER educational resources: Created to train library staff in producing accessible digital content, covering topics like accessibility standards, copyright considerations, and the creation of accessible format
Tagged PDF and PDF/UA Formats: The document is likely available in tagged PDF or PDF/UA formats. These formats include structural information, such as headings, lists, and tables, enabling screen readers to interpret and navigate the content effectively
High-Quality OCR (Optical Character Recognition): The EODOPEN project utilizes advanced OCR tools, like ABBYY FineReader Professional, to convert scanned images into searchable and selectable text, improving accessibility for users relying on text-to-speech technologies.
Calibre: An open-source e-book management tool used to convert digitized content into various formats, including EPUB, facilitating compatibility with diverse e-readers.
Robobraille: Integrated to provide automated conversion of documents into accessible formats such as audio (MP3) and braille, catering to users with visual impairments.
EPUB Format Availability: Some documents are provided in EPUB format, which is reflowable and adaptable to various screen sizes and devices. EPUB supports features like adjustable font sizes, contrast settings, and compatibility with screen readers, enhancing readability for users with visual impairments.
Impacts on Organisations
Impacts on Target Groups
Community Impact
Technical Skills
? Digitization & Content Management: Knowledge of digital tools and content organization
? Rights Clearance: Understanding copyright and using tools like RCDT
? Accessibility: Expertise in creating accessible formats (e.g., EPUB, screen reader PDFs)
Project Management Skills
? Planning & Execution: Managing projects, timelines, and budgets
? Risk Management: Identifying challenges and solutions
? Monitoring & Evaluation: Tracking progress and impact
Interpersonal Skills
? Stakeholder Engagement: Communicating with teams and communities
? Training: Teaching digital tools to others
? Collaboration: Working effectively in teams
Domain Expertise
? Cultural Heritage Knowledge: Understanding materials and audience needs
? Inclusive Accessibility: Ensuring accessibility for all users
Attitudes
? Adaptability: Openness to new tools and learning
? Problem-Solving: Addressing challenges proactively
? Inclusivity: Making cultural heritage accessible to everyone
EODOPEN is a European project focused on digitizing and providing access to 20th and 21st-century literary and grey literature, much of which remains offline due to copyright issues. By clearing rights, involving communities in material selection, and ensuring accessible formats (for mobile and visually impaired users), the project made over 16,000 works available to the public through the EOD OPEN Common Portal
Working in partnership with local organizations, the project’s collaborators identify overlooked or lesser-known library materials, manage copyright and licensing issues, and make newly digitized content accessible online. The project also trained library staff in copyright management and digital delivery through the production of Educational Handbook on Accessibility and reading digital, Copyright, Digitalisation and delivery formats, Creating accessible document format, Creating accessible EPUB and HTML file formats
Another key objective of EODOPEN was to develop alternative formats that are accessible to individuals who are blind or have visual impairments. To support this goal, the project conducts a wide-reaching European survey to understand how e-books are being used. Insights from this data enable the initiative to expand its offerings and tailor content delivery to better serve visually impaired audiences.
Key Takeaways for Small Local Organizations:
The EODOPEN project centers on digitization, accessibility, and community involvement to make 20th–21st century literary works more available across Europe. The core steps of its methodology include:
This methodology is scalable and modular, making it highly adaptable for small libraries and local cultural institutions.
Core Resources:
Estimated Start-up Cost:
• €500–€2,000, depending on current infrastructure and need for new equipment or outsourced OCR/conversion.
Even small institutions can apply the EODOPEN model by using free tools and phased implementation:
Estimated Low-Cost Implementation:
This approach retains key benefits (accessibility, copyright safety, and community relevance) without major expenses.
