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Equitable Library Access: Progress Report - Initiative for Equitable Library Access

This progress report provides an overview of the Initiative for Equitable Library Access (IELA) in Canada, including the definition of print disabilities, the issue at hand, IELA's mandate, and key activities. It also highlights the progress made through consultations, the development of a clearinghouse, various studies, and next steps.

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Equitable Library Access: Progress Report - Initiative for Equitable Library Access

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  1. Initiative for Equitable Library Access: Progress ReportNEADS Conference Nov 16, 2008Trisha LucyLibrary and Archives Canada

  2. Overview • What is a print disability? • The Issue • IELA Mandate • What is equitable library access? • Key Activities • Progress: Consultations • Progress: Clearinghouse • Progress: Studies • Next Steps

  3. What is a print disability? • Print disabilities prevent people from reading standard print. They can be due to a visual, perceptual or physical disability which may be the result of vision impairment, a learning disability or a disability that prevents the physical holding of a book. • Canadians with print disabilities require publications in multiple formats, such as braille, audio, large print and electronic text. They may also require assistive technology to meet their information needs.

  4. The Issue • More than three million Canadians (10%) have a print disability and require information in multiple formats. However, less than 5% of published Canadian material is available in multiple formats. • Public libraries lack the materials and resources to provide equitable library service.

  5. IELA Mandate • To create the conditions for sustainable and equitable library access for Canadians with print disabilities. • To do this, by March 2010, Library and Archives Canada will develop and cost a strategy for implementing nation-wide partnerships, activities and services.

  6. What is equitable library access? • Providing public library type services to Canadians with print disabilities, comparable to those received by citizens who read conventional print.

  7. IELA Key Activities • Strategy: advice to gov’t, informed by consultations with stakeholders • Internet portal • Library service standards and training materials • Electronic clearinghouse for multiple format production

  8. Progress: Strategy and Consultations • Actively met with stakeholders (ANEL, ASTED, BAnQ, CAER, CCD, CLA, CNIB, CPC, CORPO, CULC, PTPLC, Microsoft, etc.). • Formal consultations with AEBC, LDAC, and public libraries across Canada (small, medium and large) were held.

  9. Progress:Standards and Training • Developing service guidelines, training materials and workshops for the provision of equitable library access for use by libraries across Canada in consultation with the Canadian Library Association Working Group for IELA.

  10. Progress: Electronic Clearinghouse • The Electronic Clearinghouse which enables publishers to make their electronic files available quickly and securely to producers of multiple formats reducing delays in issuing materials in multiple formats and increasing availability is being enhanced. • A review and analysis of the pilot was conducted and the standard license agreement between publishers and producers has been revised to incorporate recommendations made in the pilot project. Plans to add new publishers and producers are in development in consultation the Canadian Publishers’ Council (CPC) and L'Association nationale des éditeurs de livres (ANEL).

  11. Progress: Studies • IELA conducted a survey of Canadian public libraries to determine the degree of service and collections being offered to clients with print disabilities. • IELA contracted with Turner Riggs to study commercial audio and digital publishing in Canada. • IELA commissioned a background paper by Christine Oliver, that will discuss how the Cataloguing rules will affect access to library catalogue records for multiple format materials for Canadians with print disabilities.

  12. Next Steps • IELA is committed to work on all of its activities including the development of a fully accessible portal that will serve as a gateway for information and resources for and about the provision of access to information for people with print disabilities.

  13. For more information Initiative for Equitable Library Access Strategic Office Library and Archives Canada Telephone: 819-934-5807 Email: IELA-ISBE@lac-bac.gc.ca Website: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/iela/

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