DRAFT Global Library Project Vision Australia
Release Date: 28-04-08 Business Development Group
Global Library Establishment Project (GL) PROJECT PLAN
A ‘Library for the World Community of Print Disabled’ Project
Project Plan
Release: Version 1.5
Date: 17-05-08
Project Owner: IFLA/LBS & Daisy Consortium
Project Sponsor: Vision Australia
Project Leader: Julie Rae
Project Document History
Revision History
Date of this revision:
Revision Date / Previous Revision Date / Summary of ChangesN/A
Approvals
This document requires the following approvals:
Name / Signature / Title / Date of Issue / VerJulie Rae / National Manager, VAILS / 12-05-08 / 1.5
Distribution
This document will be distributed to the following groups in the roles ands responsibilities section
Name / Title / Date of Issue / VerJulie Rae
VA National Library Manager / Project Leader and Project Steering Committee Member
Chair or Steering Committee (to be confirmed)
Bente Dahl Rathje (IFLA LBS) / Project Steering Committee
Koen Krikkar (IFLA LBS) / Project Steering Committee
Francois Hendrikz (IFLA LBS) / Project Steering Committee
Helen Brazier (IFLA LBS) / Project Steering Committee
DAISY Const Rep 1 / Project Steering Committee
DAISY Const Rep 2 / Project Steering Committee
DAISY Const Rep 3 / Project Steering Committee
DAISY Const Rep 4 / Project Steering Committee
Optional Chair / Project Steering Committee
Reps 1-4 / Project Team: Business Model
Reps 1-6 / Project Team: Discovery & Access
Reps 1-6 / Project Team: Collection Development & Exchange
Reps 1-6 / Project Team: Partnerships
Table of Contents
Executive Summary 4
Global Library (GL) Description 6
Purpose 6
Background 6
Project Scope 7
Project Structure 9
Project Sponsor 10
Roles and Responsibilities 10
Plan Monitoring and Controls 14
Planning Assumptions 15
Principal Strategies 15
Description of Major Deliverables 19
Reporting 19
Communications 20
Broad Project Phases, Timelines and Key Milestones 21
Executive Summary
Today there are 161 million blind and partially sighted people in the world and this number is growing. Extend this to print disabled; and you have an even greater number of people who can not read a conventional book, magazine or website as they are either unable to see the print, hold the item or access the website. Less than 5% of published material, i.e. books and less than 20% of websites are accessible to these people.[1]
Libraries have always been a community’s ‘portal’ to information, knowledge and leisure. Beyond their shelves, libraries are a community’s gateway to information from many sources nationally and internationally. Libraries provide professionals trained to distinguish and verify content, build collections and provide a reference and information service. Today more libraries rely on electronic sources for collecting, organizing and distributing information.
The information age has created unprecedented opportunities to acquire electronic content from many sources including existing digital content in many different types of libraries. The concept of a “world library for the blind” rests on the ability of digital libraries to share and coordinate collection-building resources and to use digital technology to share content. It requires designing these systems and services with interoperability in mind and using common standards. It begins with a shared understanding that technology does not fundamentally change library service, but rather the way in which it is organized and delivered. One such model is the development of a global library. Therefore, guidelines for the development of the digital library must begin with the assumption that the library remains a collection of organized content reflecting works of imagination and information necessary to facilitate life long learning, career development and an informed citizenry. Its digitization is a means of ensuring that its collections are preserved and accessible to all regardless of disability.
Major work has been done through the Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY) Consortium and with NISO to establish standards for the recording of navigable digital audio books. For many libraries for the blind, the focus of the past five years has been on the implementation of these standards and the conversion of their analogue collections to digital audio. Others are building collection resources through the Internet and accessing remote sources for the content they distribute to their users. The Internet is both a source of content and a means for distribution. It has profoundly changed information services for users and libraries. Publishers of content, trade books and magazines, electronic journals and electronic databases offer new opportunities for acquiring, managing and distributing content that is accessible.[2]
Due to the increasing numbers of people throughout the world who have a print disability, there is a compelling reason to fund libraries providing services for these people to consider opportunities to share resources through collaboration.
This project will bring together all print disability libraries into one unified approach.
Deliverables include: the vision and charter; the standards; storage and delivery systems; the analysis and content management processes including Digital Rights management (DRM); setting up the Global Library model; approach to partnerships, communication and the business model. The steering committee will oversee the project through establishing four project teams which will develop approaches to: establishing a business model, collection development t and exchange, end user discovery and access issues and partnerships. The project leader will be responsible for driving and administrating the project.
The project leader will define specific timelines to be approved by the Steering Committee, however the project will run over a three year period with an initial global library model tested, deployed and reviewed by the end of the three years.
Global Library (GL) Description
Mandate
The mandate for the project has been given by virtue of the decisions made at a joint meeting of the DAISY Consortium and IFLA-LBS on 27th February 2008 in Zagreb, Croatia. The meeting laid down the guiding principles for the project charter and the project plan. Both elements are included in this document and are listed as deliverables of the project in the first phase. Due to the significance of the Zagreb meeting, the minutes of that meeting are attached as Appendix 1.
Purpose
This is a scoping and first phase project plan – the purpose is to identify the costs, infrastructure requirements, policies, impediments and associated issues involved in establishing a Global Library for the World Community of Print Disabled people. It aims to develop a description of a fully developed Global Library service and identify the development phases and timeframes. The project may also achieve the establishment of a first phase service with limited collection and resources consistent with the identified first development phase
Background
It was agreed at the combined meeting of the IFLA Libraries for the Blind section and the DAISY Consortium Board on the 27th February 2008 that a steering committee would be set up to oversee the project. The project will be owned jointly by IFLA/LBS and the DAISY Consortium, and will be project managed by the DAISY Consortium. A joint steering committee will be established to provide governance, oversight and direction to the project. The global library project will be included in both organizations' strategic plans.
A Global Library is a concept that all support however in reality the definition of what a Global Library can and should do may be quiet varied. It is important that a key definition and stated expectations of the Global library is made clear from the beginning of the project. At the above mentioned joint meeting four initiatives were identified under the banner of the Global Library.
Project Scope
This scope of this project was mandated by agreement at the above February meeting.
The Plan is guided by four principal strategies or initiatives that define:
· I. Business model for the global library
· II. Discovery and access: end user issues
· III. Shared collection development and exchange
· IV. Partnership development
Objectives
The objectives of this proposal are to:
· Enable clients to access a wider range of resources,
· Enable Libraries for the print disabled to share resources,
· Develop partnerships with publishers through global publishing deals that benefit all.
· Develop partnerships with “mainstream” libraries, and other organisations developing global libraries, i.e. Google, Yahoo etc.
· Leverage international co-operation to deliver more services to clients in a range of community languages
Outcomes
The outcomes of this project:
· Identified costs, infrastructure requirements, policies, impediments and associated issues involved in establishing a Global Library
· Description of a fully developed Global Library service with development phases identified and timeframes for phases
· Possible establishment of a first phase service with limited collection and resources consistent with the identified first development phase
· Identification of the potential partnerships, collaborations and leverage points
· Enhanced range of options and services available to clients through the international library network by providing greater access to the use of library services by members in the print disabled community.
· People with disabilities encouraged to participate fully in the multicultural community through access to reading materials in a range of community languages.
· Greater staff understanding and involvement of event planning and development for the print disabled community.
· Increase of print disabled community as members of their local library in each participating country.
· Roll out of cooperative service model for International Library access involving print disabled across the world.
· Providing an alternative to the currently aging technology.
· An agreed program structure for implementation including clearly defined roles and responsibilities, communications protocols, timeframes, training and support programs, and cost estimates.
· Survey participants and gather feedback regarding their experiences with the project implementation.
· Report on the project to the national and international accessibility and library community through appropriate bodies and forums.
· Communications Plan and promotion campaign and promotion to the local community.
· A contribution to the wider body of knowledge relating to international public library information management, international relations, collection development, in terms of user needs.
Exclusions
The Project does not seek to replace the any existing programs or services currently operated through the participating services.
The Project does not provide funding for any activities, training, promotion or support.
Any other funds required for this project will need to be born by participating libraries.
It is agreed that participating libraries will need to organise their own local infrastructure needs.
Budget
Budget allocation and project funding is yet to be defined.
Schedule
The outcomes from the project are to be achieved by 30 December 2012.
Project Prerequisites
· Allocation of funds by all participants
· All participants contribute resources in the form of staff time, promotional cost, and space allocation.
· Agreed Project Plan, Implementation Plan and structure in place
Project Structure
As per the joint IFLA Libraries for the Blind Section and the DAISY Board meeting (27th February 2008), a project governance structure has been established, whereby the project team is headed by a project leader, who reports to the Steering Committee. The structure is shown below. Each of the four project teams will be chaired by a member of the steering committee, who will be responsible to report back to the steering committee each month.
Steering Committee
This steering committee will consist of four members from IFLA LBS and four members from the DAISY Consortium, the project leader as ex officio and one independent chair role.
The project leader will coordinate a formal election of the chair person and may act as returning officer. The steering committee could appoint a chairperson from its eight members, with a casting vote in the event of a tie. Another option is for the steering committee to include an independent chair person who could vote when a tie occurs. Ultimately, the steering committee must decide on voting protocols and dispute resolution procedures, and if and when mediation or arbitration is required. For example, the committee may decide that a minimum of a two thirds majority vote is required for any motion to be carried.
The size of the project teams will be determined by the steering committee.
Project Sponsor
Vision Australia will sponsor the development of the business case and project plan to ensure that all libraries for the print disabled are able to contribute to the development of a global library for people with a print disability.
The project is supported by the IFLA Libraries for the Blind section and the DAISY consortium.
Roles and Responsibilities
Role / Members / ResponsibilitiesSteering Committee / IFLA LBS Reps
Bente Dahl Rathje
Koen Krikkar
Francois Hendrikz
Helen Brazier
DAISY Const Rep 1
DAISY Const Rep 2
DAISY Const Rep 3
DAISY Const Rep 4
Project Leader (ex officio)
Independent Chair / Joint responsibilities are to:
· Describe a vision of a fully developed Global Library
· Agree on phases and timeframes needed to achieve the vision
· Deliver the first phase of a Global Library
· Review and approve GLEP Project Plan
· Resolve issues that are at the organisation level
· Review key risks and help identify risk reduction steps
· Authorise significant changes to project scope
· Formally approve project expenditure
· Formally accept project deliverables
· Agree on a Communications strategy
· Consider Steering Committee composition and voting and consider impact if more potential partners join the project
· Agree on voting protocols and dispute resolution procedures
· Elect a chairperson and decide on casting vote rules
· Appoint office holders
· Hold 3 – 4 face to face meetings per year held around IFLA and DAISY Board meetings and monthly conference call meetings
· Decide on the structure and composition of project teams
Role / Members / Responsibilities
Project Leader / Julie Rae – NLM, VA / Responsibilities are to:
· Act as returning officer for a majority vote election of Steering Committee office bearers
· Acts as an ex officio member of the Steering Committee and for each of the project teams