Libraries for the Blind Section

Strategic Plan  2003 - 2005

Background

The IFLA LBS strategic plan is based on the recommendations from Working Groups and Ten Top Issues Workshops at the Boston Preconference 2000 with over 120 participants. The recommendations were further reviewed at the midwinter meeting in Rabat Morocco, February 2002, and the Standing Committee Meeting in Glasgow. Issues raised at the brainstorming session held by President Elect Kay Raseroka at IFLA in Glasgow have been considered in preparation of the strategic plan and directions.

At a meeting in Glasgow participants were asked the following:

• What should be IFLA's focus in 2003 - 2005 for the integration and contextualization of the core values in activities and services of sections or area of major library interest, as a strategy for 'bridging the digital divide'?
• How can sections facilitate equity of access to information and enhance abilities of individuals and communities in varied information environments to access information equitably?

Two key strategic directions that are the foundation of the IFLA:LBS strategic plan for 2003 - 2005 have been developed. They respond to the questions asked and the following themes and issues raised in the IFLA Brainstorming Session in Glasgow:

• Advocacy for library services and raising awareness of its importance and the work of IFLA
• Lobbying other organizations and government
• Equity of and freedom of acces to information
• Addressing the digital divide and the application of technology

Strategic Direction One:

Strategic Direction Two:

Action Plans 2003 - 2005

The following action plans are stated in response to the above strategic directions and IFLA's professional priorities:

1. IFLA Professional Priority:

• Supporting the Cause of Librarianship
• Developing Library Professionals
• Supporting the Infrastructure of Library Associations

Overview

Libraries for the blind are the primary source of content for those unable to read print. The lack of access to accessible information and books is most critical in developing countries where 95% of blind people never attend school or are not literate. The experience with one regional conference IFLA/SLB and the Association of Caribbean University and Institutional Libraries (ACURIL) in the Caribbean suggests that regional conferences provide an exceptional opportunity for training and raising awareness.

Mission

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.

Action Plan 2003

1.1 Research the next appropriate major regional conference in the developing world and develop a two day conference in association with that regional conference to inform librarians and government of IFLA guidelines for libraries for the blind and, raise awareness of issues, and train librarians and service providers in service concepts.

2. IFLA Professional Priority:

• Promoting Standards, Guidelines

Overview

Guidelines, standards and best practices provide benchmarks against which professionals working in the field in both developed and developing countries can measure their own results and advance service. Libraries for the Blind have few guidelines or data with common measureable experiences which they can use for comparitive analysis. Most function as national or regional services in their own countries. While some aspects of their operations compare to other types of libraries, common measures and best practice information from other libraries for the blind that are appropriate to the information age and the evolution of their services are needed.

Mission

Establish guidelines for library services and a consistent methodology for reporting data on activities.

Action Plan 2003

2.1 Publish the Guidelines "Libraries for the Blind in the Information Age: Guidelines for Development" and develop a plan to make it a basis for advocacy initiatives around the world.
2.2 Finalize arrangements for the Ulverscroft LBS Award and develop promotion and implementation plans; establish a selection committee or jury of peers. These awards will focus attention on best practices and achievements.

Action Plan 2004

2.3 Complete the Performance Measures for libraries for the Blind to enable an international resource for comparison and analysis.

3. IFLA Professional Priority

• Promoting Standards, Guidelines and Best Practices
• Representing Libraries in the Technological marketplace

Overview

Approximately 3 -5% of publications are accessible to people who cannot read print. The growth in electronic publishing and distribution of information has increased the opportunity to provide more content in a timely manner and to create books blind people can read as sighted people do e.g searching for a page in an audio recording of a book. Digital library services for the blind encompasses the production or acquisition of content in an electronic or digital format such as digital talking books.

Mission

Promote the evolution of the digital library for the visually handicapped.

Action Plan 2004:

3.1 Plan a daylong workshop for 2004 joint with major publishers to explore issues in Copyright and standardization of publishers files for distribution to libraries producing content in accessible formats. The lack of standards among publishers increase costs and delay conversion to accessible formats.

3.1 Develop guidelines for an integrated digital library system to asssist library staff and library administrators, and the technology marketplace with understanding and planning for future integrated digital library systems.

3.2 Develop and plan workshops to be presented annually for the next two yeaars which address the integration of the next generation of access technologies with library catalogues and distribution system to promote independence of access to digital content and address:

• Digital Rights Management
• Next generation of access technologies
• Interfacing user technologies and library systems for independent access;

Action Plan 2005

3.3 Working with other blindness organizations investigate a project to build a website for libraries for the blind and their clients for information on access technologies.

4. IFLA Professional Priority

• Defending the Principle of Freedom of Information
• Promoting Literacy, Reading and Lifelong Learning
• Providing Free and Open Access to Information
• Promoting Resource Sharing

Overview

Access to information is a fundamental human right endorsed by the United Nations. However, blind people do not have access to information on the same basis as the general public even in the most developed countries of the world. While authors and creators rights are respected and endorsed Copyright and the cost of producing accessible content create additional barriers for access to information by those who are print disabled. Often Governments who own their own publication rights do not make their information accessible.

Reduce the major obstacles to creating accessible content in a timely manner and promote resource sharing internationally

Action Plan 2004

4.2 Plan an IFLA:LBS daylong workshop at the next World Blind Union General Assembly in December 2004 in South Africa.
4.3 Work with the WBU which has excellent relations with the Universal Postal Union to support continued free postal distribution of special format material for library services to the visually impaired.

Action Plan 2005

4.3 Investigate the establishment of a Consortium to negotiate production and distribution rights for a group of libraries for the blind from publishers and rights holders including special licenses and concessions from electronic publishers.
4.4 Review the International Directory for Libraries for the Blind in 2005 for continued relevance and new distribution platform.

5. IFLA Professional Priority

• Promoting Standards, Guidelines and Best Practices

Overview

Many Libraries for the blind do not apply recognized cataloguing standards such as MARC. In addition the organization and classification of content is changing with the introduction of web based information services and electronic content. Librarians working in libraries for the blind need to work together to avoid duplication of catalouging and share expertise in newly evolving areas.

Mission

Promote the use of cataloging standards to make alternate material accessible.

Action Plan 2003

5.1 Continue collaboration with other IFLA Sections and mainstream libraries and follow developments in the application of techniques, such as metadata, or digital object identifiers, for classifying and organizing content and for retrieval of bibliographic or other information or electronic texts.
5.2 Joint with Public Libraries develop a workshop on accessible websites and online public access catalogues for presentation at the IFLA Conference in Berlin.

6. IFLA Professional Priority

• Developing Library Professionals

Overview

Perhaps the greatest limitation on library service for the blind is the lack of training or appropriate skills to fully develop the service and respond to the dynamics of the information age. This is evident not only in established library services where trained professionals may have no concept of the special needs of print handicapped people, or in blindness or other organizations where staff may have no understanding of library services or familiarity with developing collections. In either case weak services are the result. The problem is not necessarily unique to developing countries.

Mission

Encourage the training and continuing education of professionals serving print handicapped readers.

Action Plan 2003

6.1.1 Arrange open sessions, workshops at IFLA General Conferences and preconferences and/or training seminars every other year:
• Marburg, Germany 2003
6.2.1 Plan a joint workshop with Libraries for the Disadvantaged Section in Argentina (2004) with publishers and WIPO representatives to address Copyright issues which prevent acquiring timely content and sharing of information and resources internationally.
6.3 Create opportunities for staff across the world to participate in ongoing training and development, sharing of experiences and development of cooperative projects to advance library service to blind and print handicapped people. The following are in place:
• Collection Development and Resource Sharing
• Library Systems and Information Technology
• Copyright and Rights Management
• Management and Strategic Planning
• Marketing and Advocacy

7. IFLA Professional Priority

• Supporting the Cause of Librarianship
• Supporting the Infrastructure of Library Associations

Overview

Libraries and librarians are the major producers of accessible content for those who are blind or visually impaired. Their special training in creating and organizing accessible content and their knowledge of information sources are not always widely appreciated both within and outside of the profession. Blind or visually impaired people have not had good experiences with community libraries which are primarily dedicated to the distribution of print materials. Promoting the value of libraries and librarianship is essential to library associations, librarians, the general public and to those who are blind.

Mission

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.

Action Plan 2003 -2005

7.1 Publish two issues of the Section's Newsletter each year, in English, Russian and Spanish. Printed versions as well as in braille and on diskette. Forward machine readable versions to IFLA-Net for inclusion.

Action Plan 2004

7.2 Prepare a new brochure for the Section appropriate to the digital age.
7.3 Develop a marketing strategy and plan to reach out to librarians within IFLA and outside of it to promote the library service needs of those who are blind and visully impaired.