Highlights presented of a 12-month study, which aimed to compare different approaches to funding and governance of library services for visually impaired people around the world.
Eleven countries participated in the study including Australia, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, South Africa, Sweden, UK and the USA.
The report has been published simultaneously as a DAISY multimedia. To obtain a copy or further information, contact: Helen Brazier, Secretary, IFLA Libraries for the Blind Section, c/o RNIB National Library Service, +44 161 355 2004 or helen.brazier@rnib.org.uk
Dr. Rowland spoke of “Africa’s neglected children”. He noted no more than 5% of blind children will ever work.
Technical divides in South Africa between haves and have nots, as well as young and old.
Challenge: How to make our libraries relevant to the emerging generation -- looking for one device for “connection, education and entertainment.”
For the blind child, “reading in braille is tied up with the development of one’s personality”; at university age, again personality development as well as the acquisition of knowledge.
Braille is necessary for information that you need to read and reread. Audio performs a different function.
How do libraries get through to people who don’t read? They can read; they have a player but they choose not to read. How do librarians pass on the value of reading in order that these people can grow?
Should not have to seek permission to have access to alternate format -- it’s the law.
Rights holders should provide alternate format at the same time as print.
Balance needed between the rights of information users and rights holders.
Blindlib has 5,773 members, 24,000 titles in audio and Braille, 750 DAISY titles. (Blindlib DAISY content received a boost with a donation of 400 DAISY titles by RNIB during the preconference.)
5 million Rand needed to provide each reader with a DAISY device.
Good messages presented on “DAISY for Africa.”
The time of the static catalogue is over. Dynamic cataloguing for dynamic material
Helsinki Workshop on DAISY cataloguing held June 2007. 13 countries participated to outline a plan for the development of new practice and standards. Working group established.
Hiroshi presented an overview of the DAISY Consortium.
Use technology to help educate people who are blind to advocate for employment opportunities.
Supernova tool which offers magnification, speech and braille support, giving people with visual impairment the freedom to access Windows in the way that suits them best.
Looking ahead – Solar power for “50 miles beyond the tarmac”; convergence of devices
Copyright: LBS/WBU launching a campaign – World Book Day, 2008
DAISY for All, a five year project funded by the Nippon, deploys DAISY technology and addresses capacity building in developing countries. Urakawa, a software project providing a multimedia authoring toolkit for designing content that is fully accessible.
Production … “the XML-centric” way
Effects of XML-centric production:
- Providers focus will shift towards production and archive of electronic text content in XML, away from recorded audio and printed braille.
- Production increasingly “on demand”
- Publishers files a necessity
- Increased speed of production and delivery
- Reduced costs of production
DAISY Pipeline: Free to use – open source. Uses: Transformation of documents between different formats such as MS Word to DTBook; produce accessible materials for rich mark up text; future proofing library collection -- convert between different DAISY versions.
Pilot project undertaken to test internet-enabled player with older clients. HumanWare prototype device used had PDA in place of CD drive. 40 trialists over 65 mostly most without computer skills. Required to read two books and two magazines per week during the trial. 75% of trialists indicated the prototype player was as easy to use as current player.
A new internet-enabled player needs both simplicity and comprehensiveness to suit different requirements.
TPB service is offered through public libraries. Content available on the internet for libraries to download. Local libraries are the main service provider. Regional libraries provide the training for local libraries.
Digital download of books to computers; positioned for internet-enabled DAISY player.
Future: DAISY books read via digital TV. Commercial audio streaming via mobile phones.
Ulverscroft extending its best practice award scheme which began in 2003 to 2008.
Funding available for:
- Individual who work in the field can apply for funding to work in another organization for the blind somewhere in the worlds with the aim of sharing good practice.
- Organizations can apply for project funding to develop best practice.
Application form and instructions available at the Ulverscroft web site. Submissions must be received by November 30th.