Accessible Library Services – A Nationwide Network OLA Super Conference February 1, 2007 Arlene...
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Transcript of Accessible Library Services – A Nationwide Network OLA Super Conference February 1, 2007 Arlene...
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