Forum on Library Services for People with Disabilities

Forum on Library Services for People with Disabilities

Minutes of the meeting held December 10, 2003

1. Attendance and apologies

Present:

Jan FullertonNational Library (chair)

Sandra HendersonNational Library (minutes)

Jasmine CameronNational Library

Margaret VerickACROD Ltd

Judy BrookerACT Library and Information Services

Carol SolosyAssociation for the Blind of WA

Brian RopeAustralian Deafness Forum

John BrudenallAustralian Library and Information Association

Michele McLoughlin Australian School Libraries Association

Collette O’NeillBlind Citizens Australia

Melissa WillanCopyright Agency Limited

Sue McKnightCouncil of Australian University Librarians

Liz O’SheaDepartment of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts

Janet SmithDepartment of Family and Community Services, Office of Disability

Sen. John TierneyFederal Parliament and National Library Council

John GardHear-a-Book

Bruce MaguireHuman Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission

Cathy PilgrimKinetica

Jane EvansNational Information and Library Service

Libby SturrockNational Information and Library Service

Tim EvansNational Information and Library Service (DAISY)

Ian MorrisNLA Information Services

Chris StephenPointBreak Press

Helen WalkdenPublic Libraries Automated Information Network (PLAIN), SA

Greg MorganRoyal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind

Tony StarkeyRoyal Society for the Blind of South Australia

Ellen ForsythState Library of New South Wales

Kate HallState Library of Queensland

Patricia ConveryState Library of Victoria

Apologies:

Physical Disabilities Council of Australia ; State Library of Tasmania ; State Library of Western Australia ; Northern Territory Library and Information Service ; National Office for the Information Economy ; Australian Centre for the Moving Image

2. Minutes of the previous meeting

There were no comments on the minutes of the meeting.

3. Actions arising from the 2002 Forum

Most action items have been undertaken.

Jane Evans indicated that the action item relating to preparing a list of providers of disability awareness training will be taken up by the Roundtable on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities Inc.

ACTION

1. That the Roundtable on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities Inc. take responsibility for the preparation of a list of disability awareness training providers.

4. a) Academic libraries

Sue McKnight said there had not been a lot of changes since the report to the 2002 Forum. Libraries are leading accessibility activities in many universities, especially in terms of the provision of course materials. The paper prepared by CAUL is a blueprint for the future, and the paper contains many recommendations for CAUL members. Jane Evans commented that it was important for universities to ensure that materials were prepared with accessibility in mind, rather than it being something to be addressed as a later step. The final recommendation is for a library sector representative to be included on the HREOC Steering Committee on Accessible Curricular Materials. The Forum expressed support for this and the National Library undertook to write to HREOC.

ACTION

2. That the National Library write to HREOC to support CAUL’s recommendation that a library sector representative be added to the HREOC/AVCC Steering Committee on Accessible Curricular Materials.

4. b) Copyright Agency Ltd

Melissa Willan introduced CAL’s paper, which reports on the two action items referred to CAL by the 2002 Forum.

The Catalogue of Masters for resources in alternate formats was launched by CAL in early 2003, and now contains 2,500 records from 56 institutions, and it has been accessed 665 times. CAL is encouraging institutions to add data to the catalogue, and to provide feedback about the operation of the catalogue.

CAL has developed a sample system for institutions producing masters, so that the burden of record keeping is now much reduced if the sampling option is selected.

An information sheet has been developed on fair dealing and this will be available shortly.

Sue McKnight will encourage CAUL members to add records to the catalogue.

The issue of access by members of the wider community, including public libraries, to converted materials was raised. Tim Evans said that in addition to problems of access and copyright, there are as yet few publishers producing materials in an appropriate structured format. NILS is working with one publisher at present to explore the issues. Jane Evans commented that some of the matters are being discussed by the Copyright working group of the HREOC Steering Committee, and those discussions are focusing on the broader community.

ACTION

3. That the Copyright and Publishing Working Group of the HREOC/AVCC Steering Committee be asked to examine the issues involved in extending access to materials converted to an accessible format by an educational institution for use in the wider community.

4. c) Kinetica

Cathy Pilgrim spoke to the Kinetica report, indicating that 31 libraries contribute data to the National Bibliographic Database (NBD) for material in alternate formats. There has been a decline in recent years in the numbers of such items being catalogued. Bruce Maguire said he is concerned that some of the larger producers of such material dropped out in the changeover to Kinetica. Cathy said that the National Library will enter data for organisations unable to do so for these materials, and Bruce indicated he would pass this information on.

ACTION

4.That Kinetica liaise with HREOC to ensure that organisations which previously contributed to NUC:D but are not Kinetica members are aware of current arrangements for the addition of their records to the National Bibliographic Database.

4. d) i. Library access for people in rural access

Carol Solosy spoke to her paper, prepared after consultation with field officers. The issues have not changed, and cover such things as library design, staff resources, library resources for people with disabilities, outreach activities, catalogue accessibility, costs and the importance of personal networks.

ACTION

5. That ALIA be asked to consider placing the issue of library services for people with disabilities on the agenda for the 2004 ALIA conference.

4. d) ii. DAISY

Tim Evans from NILS spoke about DAISY in Australia. NILS has invested heavily in technology to allow the production of DAISY-formatted materials. There is still work to be done in understanding what formats people want, and some trials of library books and curriculum materials are underway. Various playback machines are also being tested, and information from this testing will be made available through the NILS website. A major trial of machines is underway in Illinois and the results of this trial will be valuable.

Current playback machines are becoming easier to use, more portable and cost-effective, although Collette O’Neill pointed out that for many disadvantaged users even a relatively small cost can be a barrier.

Tim indicated that NILS is contacting many publishers, but few have material in suitable formats. The efforts of CAL and HREOC are influencing publishers to become more aware of the needs of users with disabilities, and Sue McKnight said universities are finding more publishers are able to supply resources when requested for users with disabilities. Chris Stephen said few publishers use XML, and content is often changed at the printing stage, after the files have passed out of the publishers’ hands.

Jane Evans pointed out that NILS is having an Open Day early next year, and those interested in finding out more are encouraged to go along.

Margaret Verick suggested it would be useful if various journals in the disability field could publicise NILS work, and NILS should produce an article which could be distributed for inclusion in these journals

ACTIONS

6.That NILS continue to distribute information about DAISY and related matters, and make available the results of testing of playback equipment.

7.That NILS prepare an article about DAISY which can be submitted to a variety of publications in the government, disability and other sectors.

8.NILS to provide information to the NLA about the coming NILS Open Day, for distribution to the Forum members.

4. d) iii. Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind

Greg Morgan of the RNZFB described the organisation and its services. It serves blind readers, not those with a less severe print disability, and has 12,000 members. The New Zealand Electronic Text Centre ( ) is archiving resources in XML and providing services such as format conversion and e-book delivery management for a range of organisations.

4. d) iv. National Information and Library Service

Although library services are still the core of NILS’ activities, web accessibility awareness and information access for business are growth areas. The ultimate aim is for NILS to be unnecessary, with information passing from producer to consumer without the need for a mediating body.

A major problem is the end of analog duplication in 2006. NILS has 21,000 audio titles, some of which are quite dated.

A number of recommendations have come out of the Steering Committee Production Working Group. These include a call for a national file format and a central repository for alternate format materials. Bruce Maguire expanded on this work, and indicated that a positive outcome is expected.

4. d) v. Books in the Sky

Tony Starkey from the Royal Blind Society of South Australia, and Helen Walkden from PLAIN spoke about the work being undertaken with Audio-Read to develop the Books in the Sky system. PLAIN has been trialling the technology through public libraries, and SA Government funding is being sought to expand the trial to 20 public libraries and about 200 RSB clients. Agreements are in place with a number of publishers.

Tony demonstrated the system, and indicated that at this stage the product is suitable for much recreational reading, but will need further development for more complex user needs. PLAIN will be able to provide the services to housebound users by locating the technology in homes.

4. d) vi. PointBreak Press

Chris Stephen outlined the aims of PointBreak Press. They will be a production service, rather than a distribution service. It is important that publishers make money from supplying content for services for people with disabilities, because this is what will keep them involved. The plan is to print books in required formats in a number of overseas countries, and the Press wants to discuss issues of content and format with those who are interested. A demonstration system is expected to be available by the end of February 2004. There was some discussion about trade-offs between cost and quality.

Michele McLoughlin raised the issue of alternative format children’s books, particularly shortlisted and award-winning titles. Libby Sturrock said NILS produces alternate format versions of all titles shortlisted for Children’s Book Council awards, as well as some international award winning books. It was suggested that copies be provided to the Lu Rees Archives.

ACTION

9.That NILS be asked to consider adding copies of accessible format award-winning Australian children’s book to the Lu Rees Archive.

Liz O’Shea said the Commonwealth is involved in discussions on support for various digital audio book systems. There is obviously a need for collaborative work. Tim Evans said there is a need for more work on the standards issues, and Jan Fullerton agreed that the National Library would convene a group to look at standards and technology issues. This should involve the relevant representatives of the Steering Committee working groups, the Australian Publishers’ Association, IT/19 and other interested parties.

ACTION

10.That the National Library convene a group to discuss standards and technology issues relating to library services for people with disabilities.

There was a brief discussion about the requirements for government agencies to make available material in accessible formats upon request. Collette O’Neill commented that Departments need procedures to ensure this happens.

ACTION

11.That State Libraries and the National Library report to members of the Forum on steps that have been taken to ensure that digital versions of print documents (such as historic maps, letters and other documents) are produced such that they are accessible to people who are blind, vision impaired or print disabled.

5. Services for those who are Deaf or hearing impaired.

Brian Rope spoke to a brief paper. Approximately four million Australians have some level of hearing loss, and about one third of these rely on captioning of audiovisual materials. There are specific issues librarians need to be aware of, including the need to be able to alert all users in the event of an emergency, encouraging users to make staff aware of their disability, a recognition that many people with hearing loss have poor reading and literacy skills as a result, and the need for a code of practice.

Sue McKnight pointed out that there is little attention given in this Forum and elsewhere to those with mental and intellectual disabilities. One way of involving a wider range of people would be through the new Australian Federation of Disability Organisations.

ACTION

11. That ALIA work with appropriate bodies to develop a Code of Practice for library services for people with disabilities.

12.That the National Library ensure the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations is added to the information distribution list for the Forum on Library Services for People with Disabilities and invited to participate in the next Forum.

Other Business

ACTION

13.That the National Library convene another Forum in 18 months.