Newsletter of the Section of Libraries for the Blind

Spring 2000/1

Editor:

Beatrice Christensen Sköld,

Co-editor:

Päivi Voutilainen

Distribution:

Beatrice Christensen Sköld Address as above

The Newsletter is available in braille and on diskette and on IFLANet, www.iflanet.org

Standing Committee Members

Secretary
Dick Tucker,

Matthijs Balfoort, The Netherlands
Margaret Bennet, UK
Henri Chauchat, France
Beatrice Christensen Sköld, Sweden (Information Co-ordinator)
Bente Dahl, Denmark
J.J.T.E Derks, The Netherlands
Hiroshi Kawamura, Japan
Brad Kormann, USA
Brabara Mates, USA
Marie-Pierre Tallec, France
Rainer Witte, Germany
Päivi Voutilainen, Finland
Yoon Loong Wong, Malaysia

Corresponding members:

Diane Bays, Canada
Barbara Fewtrell, Australia

Library systems and Internet

Services for Libraries for the Blind in the New Millennium

Planned for 20 library systems specialists from libraries for the blind this workshop grew to 54 representatives from libraries. They were especially complimentary regarding this IFLA/SLB initiative. This workshop marked the first time that Libraries for the Blind had examined systems for tracking library service (Geac) setting up digital library service (VISUTEXT) and telephone based library and information services VISUNEWS (Computer Talk) with the staff who had selected them.

Topics included the following:
Library Systems and Internet Services: Solutions for the New Millennium; When Text Meets Audio: Organizing Retrievable Content in a Variety of Formats; Marriages, Mergers, Alliances and Alignment: Possibilities for Libraries Serving the Blind; Many libraries in Europe are facing the implementation of second generation library service tracking systems and using the Internet to organize and deliver content which probably explains the large turnout.

Barbara Freeze, CNIB outlined the planning and processes required to implement a major service tracking system, the preparation of a request for proposal and the selection of a system and its subsequent implementation. Maggie Parkes, CNIB demonstrated the customized portions with an overview of the rationale for the customizations as they applied to the integration of business processes with the system and Carol Pollitt, NLB, described the steps in the implementation of the Geac system at NLB. Ian Manson, Geac Europe explained GeoWeb and its ability to promote resource discovery on the Web and to link library catalogues.

VISUTEXT to help libraries organize and distribute web content and electronic books and documents was demonstrated by Brian Yachuk and Dave Goede of Ericsson who explained how VISUTEXT had been designed to both capture and distribute electronic content. While others were using a mix of processes and systems to deliver newspapers trying to record it all and distribute on tapes results in delivery delays and limits content. The opportunity to use an electronic set of files to deliver both the computer and telephone versions (VISUNEWS) was very attractive as presented by Jennie Cooper of Computer Talk. The presentations by Eric Sharf, CNIB's specialist on metadata and cataloguing issues as well as Terry Kuny, consultant with the National Library of Canada, provided an overview of the simple steps involved in creating metadata records using Dublin Core or the metadata service CORC and explained why this was a new and necessary alternative to complement catalogue resources.

Simon Jennings, Resource Discovery Network, addressed new opportunities from the vast resources of digitized information many of which are being developed and coordinated by institutions of higher learning and although produced from their resources were available free. The electronic databases are grouped around a wide variety subjects and were changing the opportunities for creating content for blind people.

David Pawson deplored the mysteries of Archivists and Librarians and emphasized the users needs and the connection of metadata to user needs. As libraries for the blind are reaching a crossroads in their development and striving to attain standards met in other libraries there was a lively debate regarding the importance of library training in the information age. Margaret Bennett emphasized the benefits of cooperation and the costs saved from not duplicating and remarked on the respect due to the expertise needed in different parts of on an operation.

Helen Brazier of the NLB and Victoria Owen of the CNIB described their initiatives for partnerships between the CNIB and the NLB - what had to be addressed and implemented and what was in place. NLB reported that the effort had minimal impact on their costs and time accounting for only a few hours per month for the year.

Dick Tucker, FORCE Foundation, described the Miracle project and the creation of a union catalogue and access to hard copies through shared production costs. There was concern that the rationale not appear to charge for interloans since interlibrary lending had existed to complement resources through cooperation not penalize for not having resources.

Kevin Carey provided a spirited wrap up to the blind user in the information age, the competing interests of technology for making content accessible and the importance of being able to use the technologies for access effectively. He signalled the importance of looking beyond the now and to the opportunities that would liberate learning for blind people. The roundtable discussions gave all an opportunity to be updated regarding applications of the Internet and the status of library systems in those libraries for the blind which were represented.

The time allocated to visit vendors and gain hands on experience was fully used on both days. Pending receipts of the evaluation forms the overall reception was very positive from those who spoke to me. A list of attendees and their biographies are also available. A superb job by our Section and its partners, NLB, CNIB, Geac, Ericsson and Computer Talk. Rosemary Kavanagh

Meetings

Standing Committee Meeting

Coordinating Board Meeting

IFLA is re-examining its core programs in regard to its budget and the changing information environment. It was agreed that the revision was timely but ought to be considered in the contest of digital library development. Core programs include Universal Availability of Publications (UAP), Universal Bibliographic control and International MARC (UBCIM). Preservation and Conservation (PAC), Universal Data Flow and Telecommunications (UDT). The CB emphasized the importance of not discarding core programs most libraries could not undertake on their own. For example on bibliographic services such as "Authority Control" and standards maintenance and revisions. Libraries such as ours implement the work of these bodies. If IFLA did not provide leadership on these issues who would? Some programs such as Books for All for which IFLA had secured special funding from various organizations had been successful and ought to be continued. We also emphasized inclusion of standards for those unable to read print in guidelines such as the Online Public Access Catalogue being developed by other Divisions in IFLA.

Our Section (SLB) emphasized that leading by example through hosting a joint presentation from all the Sections in the Division, Public Libraries, Libraries for the Disadvantaged, Libraries for the Blind, and other special libraries would ensure integration of ideas and strategies for a community as a whole among all types of libraries. The Coordinating Board has agreed to address this in the Conference for 2002 as plans are already underway for 2001.

66th IFLA Conference

Jerusalem August 12-18, 2000

The Theme is:
Building smart communities: Knowledge as the key to growth and development
Provisional Workshop Programme
Monday August 14th 2000

1. Telephone Access to Library Services - Opportunities for Service to the Entire Community The Use of the Telephone Catalogue - URI COHEN, Central Library for the Blind, Visually Impaired and Handicapped, Nathanya, Israel Partnering Services between Public Libraries and Library Services for the Blind: A Canadian Experience
   • Rosemary Griebel, Calgary Public Library, Canada
2. Special Collections To Meet a Community's Special Needs Miracle in Jerusalem: Connecting to Music Collections
   • Francisco Martinez Calvo, ONCE, Madrid, Spain
3. Unique Opportunities to Serve Everyone in the Community E-Braille: How all types of libraries can translate small documents into braille using internet.
   • Neil Kuniansky, Duxbury Systems; USA Serving the need of visually impaired information seekers in UK Public Libraries
   • Margaret Kinnell Evans, Information Strategy and Services, Loughborough University, UK
4. Smart Communities: What are They and How Do They Benefit Everyone in the Community The Evolution and Impact of Smart Communities
   • Stan Skrzeszewski, ASM Consultants, Canada Smart Community Developments in Denmark
   • Elsebeth Tank, Director, Danish National Library for the Blind, Copenhagen, Denmark

Open Standing Committee Meetings

Childrenīs books in Braille

Winged dreams (Sueños Alados) An ecological tale that is both educating and entertaining Birds that are under threat of extermination are telling other little animals about there worries and ideas. Together with the characters in the books the reader experiences funny adventures. In 1996 the book was awarded with the Premio Fondart ( the prize was presented by the Minister of Education of Chile).

Grandfather Oscar's stories (Relatos del tata Oscar) The story i takes place in a saltpetre mine and deals with saltpetre, which once was so important to Chile. An old man tells his memories to children.

The little Hummingbird and the Aracuaria tree*) (El Picaflor y la Araucaria, y otros cuentos) A story with adventures that teach children how to associate with others even if they are different. In 1999 the books were presented at book fairs in Santiago, Bologna, Frankfurt and Guadalajara (Mexico). At present Ernesto is writing new books in order to encourage other authors and publishers to publish braille books and remove at least one of the many obstacles that blind people have to deal with. He would also like to look at the possibility of publishing books in other countries if there is any interest.

Address:
Ernesto Lopez Arcos

* Translators remark: The Araucaria Tree is the National tree of Chile

Kenya National Library Service

Introduction:
Kenya National Library Service (KNLS) Board is a statutory body of the Government of Kenya set up by an Act of Parliament (Cap 225 Laws of Kenya) and principally mandated among other functions to establish, develop, equip, manage, maintain and promote libraries in Kenya.

The Board goes by the motto "Reading is Knowledge" and recognises that ... of all human relaxations which are free of guilt, none is so dignified as reading. One of its major objectives is to chiefly aid formal and informal education and participate in the campaign for the eradication of illiteracy. Arising from this, it offers a free life long opportunity for all to access information and knowledge irrespective of age, gender, creed or status in society. Library and Information Services to the Visually Impaired Persons (VIPs) were officially launched on 17th October 1996 when Braille sections were established in all the branch libraries countrywide during the National Book Week Celebrations whose main theme was promotion of reading amongst Kenyans. This was done in recognition of the enormous contribution made by the visually impaired persons to national development. The service is targeting an estimated population of over 300,000 visually impaired Kenyans.

The main objective of the services is to integrate the visually impaired persons amongst the sighted population, a radical departure from the traditional approach of concentrating them in special institutions purposely set aside for their exclusive use. The Board hopes to realise this objective through a range of activities as enlisted below.

Book stock and other reading materials. The initial book stock of 689 books which was used to open the Headquarters Nairobi Area Braille Library service were donated by the Royal National Institute for the Blind through Sight Savers International and National Council on Education of Visually Impaired persons in September 1995.

The library received a further 697 books from the same donor in 1997. The British council donated 320 little Oxford Elementary dictionaries in sets of 16 volumes at a cost of Kshs 1,312,500 ($ 17,500). The books have been very useful to the braille readers. The current book stock in the entire KNLS system stands at 450 talking books in English, French, Spanish and German languages, 2,765 books in Braille, 1,255 books in large print and 150 print books on eye health care. Adequate materials to serve the estimated population and expand the service to the branches are scarce.

The print books on eye problems are meant to reach ophthalmologists who deal with the blind and visually impaired and through them reach their patients. A bibliographical list of the books has been circulated to all practising ophthalmologists in the Country.The Headquarters' Nairobi Area Library has taken the lead in this direction.

Transcription Services:
Following the granting of the copyright by several publishers and authors, the KNLS Board has transcribed into braille 7 titles by Dr Pamela Kola in both English and Kiswahili which is the National language. 427 volumes were transcribed at a cost of Kshs 225,000 ($3,000) by the African Braille Centre (ABC). 13 titles from phoenix publishers, focus publications and St Paulines publications have also been transcribed into braille at a cost of Kshs 127,500 ($ 1,700). The book "Living with Aids in the Community" in both English and Kiswahili and others were transcribed at a cost of Kshs 148,425 ($1,979) to offer the blind population a medium of information about the deadly disease HIV/AIDS. This is a milestone in the provision of library and information services to visually impaired in this part of Africa.

The Library aims to compile a common list of all braille materials held in various institutions in Kenya for purposes of resources sharing. This will widen the reading resources available to the visually impaired readers countrywide.

Membership:
There are over 300 registered individuals and three institutional members countrywide. Efforts to reach out and recruit more are in progress. After acquiring the talking books and radios, application for registration has gone up by 30%. Readership In 1999, there was a total of 4,396 readers who used the services across the country.

Equipment:
The following equipment is in place:

• Conventional Computer
• Embosser
• Radio/Cassette players
• Audio Cassette Recorders
• Perkins Brailler Machine
• Reading Lamp, etc among others.

Services offered:
The following services are on offer:

• Book Loans to individuals
• Reading of stories and newspapers to the blind
• Bulk Book loans to institutions
• Audio recording services on a small scale on topical issues like Constitution Review, HIV/AIDS, etc to enable the visually impaired persons to participate.
• Talking books
• Transcription Services ( The KNLS Board has acquired a Braille Embosser which will greatly facilitate this activity when it becomes operational after acquiring the software for converting print into braille)
• Entertainment and Listening to news bulletins for those who have no access to Radios

Requirements:
The Section urgently requires:

• Print into Braille conversion software, e.g DUXBURY
• Talk - back software, e.g JAWS.
• CCTV
• Audio Recording equipment
• Books and other reading materials
• Human Resource Capacity Building in ICTs for the visually impaired persons
• 23 braille embossers and computers for the service points

Future Projections:

• To diversify the reading materials to include other formats and media for the visually impaired.
• To carry out a National survey to establish the actual information needs of the visually impaired persons in Kenya.
• To employ and train more visually impaired persons to run the Braille sections
• To stock every braille section with a collection of specialised books and reading materials on blindness, eye care, eye treatment, control of blindness, etc.
• To put up a purposely built library in Nairobi to be known as the National Resource Centre for the visually impaired persons.

An on-line exhibition

The on-line exhibition also includes a Guest Book, where you are welcomed to express your impressions and thoughts. Katariina Kiiliäinen