Integrating Library Services with Daisy Books in Public Libraries

Geert Ruebens & Saskia Boets LUISTERPUNTFlemish Library for Audio and Braille Books (Belgium)RNIB, March, 30th 2010

Summary

1. Belgium (Flanders)2. Public libraries in Flanders3. Special libraries for print disabled4. 2008: ‘Luisterpunt’: new special library5. Cooperation with public libraries6. Contact

1. Belgium

o Federal Structure:• Three Regions (economy, defence, justice)• Three Communities (culture, education, social affairs,

health)− Own Cultural Policy and Minister− Flemish: Luisterpunt; French: ONA, Ligue braille

• 10 Provinces (Flanders 5, Wallonia 5)

o Official languages: 3• Flanders: Dutch• Wallonia: French• Brussels: Dutch + French (+ many other languages)• German Community: German

1. Facts about Flanders

o Surface: 13.511 km² (B: 30.513 km²)o Population: 5.940.251 (58%)

(Belgium: 10.239.085)o Age structure :

● Youngsters (0-19 years): 23%● Adults (20-64 years): 60%● Elderly (+65 years): 17%

o Visual impaired: o 2009: 2% = 126.000o In 2015: 160.000

2. Public Libraries in Flanders

o Municipalities: 308 (Belgium: 589)o Membership of a library: 25%o Library law:

• library = obligation (1921, 1978)• Decree Local Cultural Policy (2001)

o Flemish agencies: • Locus: support• Bibnet: support library automation

o Special libraries:• Luisterpunt: for people with print disabilities• Zorgbib: for residents of hospitals, homes for elderly

people and asylum reception centres

2. Library structure

Flemish Government & Agencies

Provinces & Special libraries

Service Points (800)&

Municipalities: libraries (300)

Population / Public

3. Special libraries

3. Special libraries:key figures 2009

o Users:• 4.000 active members• = 3,5% of the target group (126.000)

o Collection:• Braille: 10.000• Daisy: 15.500

o Lending:• Braille: 9.400• Daisy: 210.000

+ 84.000 to libraries and homes for elderly

3. Special libraries

o 2008: New library for print disabledo Increased funding by Flemish

Government: 1,5 MEUR/yearo Demand of Government:

• more readers: doubling by 2010• more cooperation with public libraries,

homes for the elderly and schools

4. ‘Luisterpunt’

- meaningful name- logo Public Libraries integrated- baseline: Everybody can read

4. ‘Luisterpunt’

www.luisterpuntbibliotheek.be

o Link to online catalogue with possibility of reservationhttp://daisybraille.bibliotheek.be

o Information: Policy Plan, Promotion Projects, Cooperation Public Libraries, Membership, Collection, …

o Audio fragments

4. ‘Luisterpunt’

4. ‘Luisterpunt’

4. Luisterpunt: objective 1

o Braille on demand:• Near future:

developing digital braille books

• Only print on demand

• Autumn 2010

4. Luisterpunt: objective 2

o Dyslectic people• Growing interest for Daisy books

by persons with dyslexia• Increasing awareness in society

for dyslexic persons• Reading and listening at the

same time• Daisy campaign for schools• ?? Flemish Publishers Association

4. Luisterpunt: objective 3

o Daisy books and Daisy players in public libraries (see 5.)

4. Luisterpunt: objective 4

o Streaming and/or downloading of Daisy books

4. Luisterpunt: objective 5o Promotion of audio books 2009

- New look & feel: posters, leaflets, …- Public libraries in every publication and

communication - Promotion campaign to elderly:

- 2000 Daisy Players for 1000 homes for elderly

- Mediacampaign & promotional materials (Daisy Audio Point)

- Workshops: training professionals- Parcels of 100 Daisy books

4. Luisterpunt: objective 52009 Promotion campaign to elderly:

- 2000 Daisy Players for 1100 homes for elderly- Mediacampaign & promotional materials:information articles, radio spot, …- 28 Workshops in homes for elderly and 5 in public libraries, for 500 occupation therapists (brochure)- Parcels of 100 Daisy books in 254 homes, 90 homes ask books per title, other homes prefere working together with the public library or Zorgbib (Zorgbib has 2000 Daisy books)- 5 Daisy Audio Points, lended by 23 libraries and 4 homes for elderly (1 month or +)

5. Cooperation Public Libraries

o Online catalogue of Daisy and braille books is part of Flemish union catalogue

• www.zoeken.bibliotheek.be• Online reservation

o Daisy books in public libraries

5. Cooperation Public Libraries

o Parcels of 100 Daisy books (also children’s books)

o Loan directly to readers and available in the homes for elderly and schools

o Only for targetgroup: declaration of honour

o Needs promotion with local organisations

5. Cooperation Public Libraries

o Every library gets 1 or 2 Daisy players for free (Province)

o Spring 2010: 80 % of the public libraries join the project

o More information: Saskia

5. Cooperation Public Libraries

o Agreement between 3 partners:• Special library (for free):

o Loan of Daisy bookso Distribution of promotional materialso Training in use of Daisy book and player

• Public library:o Commitment for local promotion

• Provincial government:o Support in promotiono 1 or 2 Daisy players in each library for

free

5. Cooperation Public Libraries

o Result: win-win situation:

• People with reading problems: no treshold, continuation of library use, principle of inclusion

• Public libraries: continuation of service to same customers

• Special libraries: broaden of the targetgroup to middle aged and elderly people

5. Cooperation Public Libraries

o Today: 245/309 public libraries have Daisy players and Daisy books

o 2009: 14 workshops for library staff o Special attention on our websiteo Support and tips – Daisy-brochure for public

librarieso How to reach target groups / stakeholders / local

organisationso Communication and promotion

o Promotional products (leaflets, posters, short manual)

o 2 Provinces made a Daisy Desk (books, player with welcome cd, poster, leaflets)

5. Cooperation Public Libraries

5. Cooperation Public Libraries

5. Cooperation Public Libraries

5. Cooperation Public Libraries

http://biblogwetteren.blogspot.com/2009/10/daisy-in-de-bibliotheek.html

6. Contact

o Web: www.luisterpuntbibliotheek.be

o Phone: +32 70 24 60 70

o E-mail: info@luisterpuntbibliotheek.be

o Geert Ruebens, directorgeert.ruebens@luisterpuntbibliotheek.be

o Ann Voet, librarianann.voet@luisterpuntbibliotheek.be

o Saskia Boets, communication and promotionsaskia.boets@luisterpuntbibliotheek.be