Independent panel on e-lending in libraries
Evidence from Share the Vision and RNIB
1. Introduction
Share the Vision (STV) and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) have a common interest in improving access to reading for print disabled people and therefore welcome the opportunity to submit evidence to the panel.
We believe that, for the first time ever, e-books have the potential to provide equitable access to reading for print disabled people. We therefore wish to give evidence in four of the areas which concern the panel: the current level and nature of demand; the potential benefits of e-lending; remuneration systems; and unforeseen consequences.
2. Comments
2.1 The current level and nature of demand
It is estimated by the Right to Read Alliance that one in eight people in the UK is print disabled and historically only a tiny proportion of books has ever been transformed into accessible formats that they can read.
This year LISU (the research and information centre for library and information services, based in the Department of Information Science at Loughborough University) conducted research for RNIB on the accessibility of the most popular 1000 books published in the UK during 2011 (http://www.rnib.org.uk/aboutus/Research/reports/inclusive/Pages/top_1000_2011.aspx). The research found that, not including eBooks, only 17 per cent of 2011's most popular books were fully accessible. Including eBooks, accessibility rose to 76 per cent, showing what a dramatic opportunity eBooks represent to increase the overall availability of books for print disabled people.
We already have evidence that eBooks are welcomed by people with print disabilities; see YouTube video "eBooks for blind and partially sighted people" RNIB (2011) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16krEX-4UJ4
Comments from readers:
“We bought our [partially sighted] daughter Sarah a Kindle as a present a year ago and this has proved a real valuable tool for her… Her reading has accelerated markedly and the variety of books she reads widened. I think this is due to the fact that the size of the Kindle is more manageable especially when reading in bed and importantly for a teenage girl, makes it less conspicuous.” Lyndsay Chapman, Maidenhead.
“Like Lady Antonia Fraser (The week in books, 7 January), I welcome the Kindle with enthusiasm. And with relief: in my mid-80s, after five eye operations, reading had become more of a pain than a pleasure. The sheer joy of finding a lightweight device that I could hold easily in my crablike hands, and that would obligingly enlarge the typeface to a level rendering superfluous any magnifying glass in my collection, was overwhelming.- Colin Cooper, St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex.” Letter reproduced from The Guardian, 21 January 2012.
2.2 The potential benefits of e-lending for people with print disabilities
Print disabled people can particularly benefit from eBook services because for the first time they offer equitable choice, speed of access, and portability.
Recent research commissioned by RNIB and conducted by LISU and the Reading Agency, "Assessing the impact of reading for blind and partially sighted adults", found that "while many blind and partially sighted readers are positive about their reading experiences, they also experience frustrations in accessing all the material they would like to read. The research findings indicate that reading plays a key role in maintaining a quality of life that helps people with visual impairment to overcome some of the daily limitations they face. It is an important intervention that helps to deliver mental well-being and to develop learning and skills."
(http://www.lboro.ac.uk/microsites/infosci/lisu/downloads/rnib-impact-of-reading-report.pdf)
Public libraries have a key role to widen access to e-books by reaching out to all sections of the community including those that cannot easily access printed material, and should help people to access these services. For some print disabled people, commercial eBook services are unaffordable and therefore an eBook lending service provided by local public libraries is valuable.
For people with additional disabilities, and particularly those who are housebound, the ability to remotely access content without the need to visit the library is key to provision of an equitable library service.
2.3 Remuneration systems
We value the work of authors and publishers and support their cause for fair remuneration. We have suggested for a long time that audiobook loans should be included in PLR returns and we believe that e-book loans should also be included. This would not only provide a truer record of the loans of each author's works, whatever the format, but would also include loans by print disabled people who use audiobooks and e-books because they cannot read print. Therefore, print disabled people would be properly included in the analysis of total library book borrowing.
2.4 The unforeseen consequences
Although there is a huge opportunity for people with print disabilities to have equitable access to reading, this can be undermined by accessibility and useability problems in the systems used to provide eBooks.
A user survey carried out by RNIB in 2011 found numerous barriers to accessing eBooks for print disabled people, such as inaccessible websites, difficulty finding eBook services, and problems with logging on, navigation, downloading and IT literacy (http://readingsight.org.uk/uploads/documents/ebook_services_in_public_libraries_March_2012.pdf)
A common technical problem is that digital rights management can restrict access to content by people using technologies such as screen readers. Libraries should expect their suppliers to require publishers not to apply, or to disable, any DRM that excludes or disadvantages print disabled people from using eBook services like anyone else.
RNIB's guidelines on accessible eBook services in public libraries (http://readingsight.org.uk/uploads/documents/ebook_services_in_public_libraries_March_2012.pdf) include a reminder that libraries
have a statutory duty to promote equality of opportunity and not to discriminate against people with disabilities. Any public library planning to deliver an eBook service should carry out an impact assessment under the Public Sector Equality Duty on the effect that the service would have on blind and partially sighted people. They should then take steps to minimise any negative impact or to make alternative proposals. If a library's existing eBook service is inaccessible to people with disabilities they would need to make alternative arrangements to fulfil the reasonable adjustments duty under the Equality Act.
3. Conclusion
Share the Vision and RNIB welcome the review of e-lending in libraries.
We believe that eBooks represent an amazing opportunity for people with print disabilities to have equitable access to reading. However, this opportunity could be missed if useability and accessibility problems or physical access requirements prevent people from using e-lending services in libraries.
4. Background
Share the Vision (STV) is a partnership of UK libraries and library organisations that work together to improve the accessibility of library services for print disabled people. STV’s membership comprises
· British Library
· Calibre Audio Library
· CILIP
· CILIP School Libraries Group
· ClearVision Project
· Dyslexia Action
· Library and Information Services Council [Northern Ireland]
· RNIB
· Scottish Library and Information Council
· Society of Chief Librarians
· Society of College, National and University Libraries
RNIB is the UK's largest membership organisation of blind and partially sighted people. Its priorities include supporting independent living and creating an inclusive society and it has wide ranging expertise in accessibility. RNIB works with technology companies and eBook retailers to improve the accessibility of their offerings; with the DAISY Consortium which has helped to develop e-pub3 as an inclusive way for publishers to create eBooks; and also informs and empowers blind and partially sighted people to be able to take advantage of new technologies.
Mark Freeman
Chair, Share the Vision
Helen Brazier
Head of National Library Service, RNIB
Co-ordinator, Share the Vision
Jon Hardisty
Senior Librarian, Digital Services, RNIB
1 November 2012