Accessible Library Services – A Nationwide Network

OLA Super Conference February 1, 2007

Arlene ChanToronto Public Library

Overview

1. Snapshot of Toronto Public Library’s services for people with disabilities

2. Opportunities

3. Challenges

Toronto Public Library

Largest public library in Canada99 library branchesServes 2.6 million TorontoniansBusiest library in North AmericaCirculated 30 million plusCollection of 10.5 items

Toronto Public LibraryCollections

99,500 large print books

25,000 talking books

42,500 audiobooks on tape

16,900 books on CD

700 descriptive videos

Toronto Public LibraryPrograms & Services

Reference service in person, by telephone, by email

24/7 access to the catalogue

Electronic databases

Telephone renewals

Dial-a-Story

Toronto Public LibraryPrograms & Services

Accessible web siteSpecial needs status for fines exemptionCentre for People with DisabilitiesAdaptive equipment and assistive devices, including LP monitors and keyboards, CCTVs

Toronto Public LibraryPrograms & Services

2,000+ home library service customers

71 deposit collections

Library service at 4 hospitals

32 bookmobile stops

Toronto Public LibraryComing Soon

More ebooks, digital audiobooks and electronic databases

Downloadable music

Wi Fi wireless access at select library branches

Opening the Book ReportOpportunities

Service libraries as 3rd tier of service

public library mandate to provide our customers with accessible services and collections

one-stop service regardless of ability

Opening the Book ReportOpportunities

Impact of aging population

more savvy baby boomers with higher expectations for service

Federation of Public Libraries 2006 report: 55+ are largest group of library users in Ontario;

however, their frequency of use is declining

Opening the Book ReportChallenges

Dependent on appropriate funding, staffing, training, equipment and space

Scenario of not-too-distant future: Library customer who is blind asks for

book in audioformat Library staff downloads ecopy to a CD or

flash card to create book on demand

Opening the Book ReportChallenges

Internet Archive Bookmobile Can access, download and print from the

public domain of over 20,000 on-line titles “Buck a book” Cheaper to give copy for free than to

print, process, catalogue, circulate and store

Opening the Book ReportChallenges

Audiobooks on demand

Need ability to download to CD or flash card

Technical and security issues

Need sufficient bandwidth

Opening the Book ReportChallenges

Technology rapidly changing

Ongoing training and support for staff and for customers

Transitioning to Daisy format

Opening the Book ReportChallenges

Diverse population

Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world

Over 140 languages and dialects

Over 1/3 of Torontonians speak a language other than English at home

Opening the Book ReportChallenges

Toronto Public Library provides: Telephone interpretation service in over

100 languages Can search web and type email in Arabic,

Bengali, Chinese, Farsi, German and 29 other languages

French web site

Opening the Book ReportChallenges

Toronto Public Library provides: Library staff who speak numerous

languages Over 30 language collections

Opening the Book ReportQuestions

Will we have the appropriate level of technology and resources to download or create books on demand?With the increasing reliance on licensed digital resources, will these remain accessible to print disabled customers?

Opening the Book ReportQuestions

Will the free postal service for people who are blind be expanded to all print disabled Canadians?Will the charges for interlibrary loans continue if we are to rely more on resource sharing as a cornerstone of the network?

Opening the Book ReportQuestions

The future role of the CNIB Library as a service provider

The impact of digital formats on home library service

Conclusion

Strategies need to be developed and phased in

Time for change to improve library service for print disabled Canadians