   
Section of Libraries for the Blind
Medium Term Programme 1998-2001
Scope
The Section of Libraries for the Blind concerns itself with library services for the blind and other print handicapped readers. The main purposes of the Section are to promote national and international cooperation in this field, and to encourage research and development in all aspects of this area, thus improving the access of information for the blind and other print handicapped persons.
The Section is thus concerned with the implementation of service goals, standardization of material, problems of copyright, bibliographic control, technical standards, free transmission of postal and tele-communications or any means of distribution of material, and the identification of the locations of special format collections and activities for the blind and other print handicapped readers.
Goals, 1998-2001
- Encourage the establishment of library service to print handicapped persons in countries where it does not exist or is inadequate, thus bridging the information gap.
- Establishment of guidelines for library services for print handicapped persons.
- Provide proactive leadership in the evolution of the digital library for the visually handicapped.
- Reduce the major obstacles for free international flow of special format, such as copyright regulations, technical standards, postal regulations, etc.
- Promote the use of cataloguing standards to make alternate material accessible.
- Encourage the training and continuing education of professionals in the field service to print handicapped readers.
- Promote international interlibrary loan materials for print handicapped readers.
- Provide information about the work of the Section and the Standing Committee to those interested in library services to the blind and other print handicapped.
- Cooperate with appropriate international organizations, by recognizing the need of users, and by promoting cooperation between libraries serving print handicapped readers and user organizations.
|
