News October-December 1997, Vol. 28, No. 4 ISSN 1046-1663 National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped The Library of Congress NISO group moves ahead Experts in the fields of digital technology, librarianship, service to blind and physically handicapped persons, and other related fields met at NLS in September to continue the process of developing a standard for a digital talking-book (DTB) system. Under the auspices of the National Information Standards Organization (NISO), the Digital Talking Book Standards Committee of more than two dozen participants shared ideas and sharpened their focus to keep pace with fast-moving developments in technology. The group first met at NLS in May (see News, July September 1997). Members also reported the findings of the four working groups established in May. The working groups each had been asked to concentrate on a particular area of focus: expanded descriptions for the features list, file format for digital talking books, the user interface, and copyright issues. In this second meeting of the full committee, members continued discussion of specific features for a future DTB but determined that the bulk of the group's activities for the near future should concentrate on defining requirements for the digital talking book itself, rather than the playback device. The committee agreed that the central task was to develop a file specification for the content of the DTB. File specification. The file specification will describe how the audio and textual material of a digital talking book should be coded; that is, what codes should be used for given functions. For example, a digital book should be structured so that a blind patron listening to the table of contents could jump immediately to a desired chapter. The file specifications will describe what codes an audio book producer would insert in the recording to make that jump - possible. Mark Hakkinen, representing The Productivity Works, Inc., and chair of the file-specification working group, - reported significant activity in this area among several organizations. He explained that standards and protocols written for the Internet are "likely to play some role in the delivery of DTBs." The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is facilitating the creation of specifications that allow for the delivery of audio and text content over the Internet. W3C is an international industry consortium that develops common protocols for the evolution of the World Wide Web. Last April the W3C launched the Web Accessibility Initiative to promote Web functionality for people with disabilities. "A major premise of the Web happens to be open, standards-based protocols and languages," said Hakkinen. He also noted that the DAISY Consortium, a multinational effort originating in Sweden to design a digital talking-book system, made a decision early this year to move to an open, standard file format. George Kerscher of Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic and Thomas Christensen of the Danish National Library for the Blind represent the DAISY Consortium on the NISO DTB Standards Committee. Their input in both efforts will promote an open exchange of information and decrease duplication of effort. Copyright. The group examining copyright protection submitted its findings in the form of a special presentation by Mary Levering, associate register for national copyright programs and former chief of the NLS Network Division. Levering gave a brief history of U.S. copyright law, explaining its roots in the Constitution and its use in the protection of creative expression. She noted that libraries for the blind use special measures, such as producing talking books in a nonstandard 4-track format and ensuring that users meet eligibility standards, to curb the illegal redistribution of copyrighted works. These protections "help maintain a balance between the rights of copyright holders and the rights of users of those works," according to Levering. In the digital arena, the retransmission of copyrighted works is a matter of great concern to copyright holders because of the ease of making an endless number of perfect copies of an original work. Levering outlined the activities of international groups, such as the World Intellectual Property Organization, to deal with digital issues. She explained that these endeavors seek "to ensure that laws and practice adapt to protect and support the wonderful creative output without cutting it off at the limbs." Some of the technological controls under development include digital object identification, watermarking, data encryption, and electronic signatures for images, written text, and sound recordings, Levering explained. Action items planned. The committee established two new working groups. The first group will assemble a comprehensive list of navigation and manipulation features for an advanced computer-based audio playback device. This compilation will contain the full range of features desirable on a DTB. A second team is tasked with crafting digital production guidelines for audio-book producers. The file-specification group will continue its work to create or identify an appropriate file format, ensuring that the file structure is capable of supporting all the features identified by the first group. Where possible, members will try to match existing specifications so as not to duplicate ongoing work. The working teams are meeting separately prior to the next full committee meeting, which is scheduled for March 1998. (Participating agencies American Council of the Blind American Foundation for the Blind American Printing House for the Blind Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies Blinded Veterans Association Canadian National Institute for the Blind DAISY Consortium The Hadley School for the Blind Industry Canada, Assistive Devices Industry Office LaBarge Electronics National Federation of the Blind National Information Standards Organization National Institute of Standards and Technology National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped NCR Corporation The Productivity Works, Inc. Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic Telex Communications, Inc. TRACE Research and Development Center, University of Wisconsin VisuAide, Inc. World Blind Union) (photo caption: Discussing digital talking book features at the September meeting were (left to right) George Stockton, NLS; Mary-Frances Laughton, Industry Canada; Rosemary Kavanagh, CNIB; Dennis DeVendra, RFB&D; Michael Moodie, NLS; and John Cookson, NLS. (See list of participating agencies above.) Photo by Jim Higgins.) (photo caption: Also among the participants were (left to right) Thomas Kjellberg Christensen, DAISY Consortium; George Kerscher, RFB&D; Curtis Chong, WBU; and George Brummell, BVA. Photo by Jim Higgins.) Related technologies AFB forms Recorded Audio Concepts The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) has announced the formation of a new division, Recorded Audio Concepts, a digital recording and editing facility that will meet the needs of commercial customers. AFB was instrumental in launching the talking-books program in 1932 and has been recording books for NLS patrons for more than sixty-five years. The new state-of-the-art studio is equipped with DAT (digital audio tape) recorders, hard disk recorders, the highest quality microphones, a computer editing station, and an "audiophile"-grade playback system. This digital-recording equipment can provide the best sound, accuracy in editing and duplication, and the capacity for long-term archiving. The new facility will allow Recorded Audio Concepts to offer its services not only to audio book publishers, but also to CD-ROM authors and soundtrack producers. RFB&D to develop digital audio books Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D) has announced a three-year project with funding from the National Science Foundation to develop a technology to integrate computerized text files with digital human-voice recording. This effort is aimed toward making mathematics and science materials more accessible to blind and physically handicapped persons through fast searching and text retrieval. RFB&D is working to develop software for the system. The next step will be the creation of a nongraphical user interface, which would run on a standard multimedia computer equipped with a sound card and a CD-ROM drive. As a pilot project, RFB&D is producing the Microsoft Access documentation manual on CD-ROM with synchronized text and audio recording. The end-product is envisioned to allow a computer user to move through selected portions of text and to listen to the voice of the person who recorded the material clearly speaking the words appearing on the computer screen. A reader would be able to move easily between chapters, return to the table of contents, or search for specific topics or information in the book. The system will undergo testing with computer users before being released to all of RFB&D's customers. According to Ritchie Geisel, RFB&D president, the project "could significantly enhance our consumers' educational and professional successes." Memory chips designed to hold more data Samsung Electronics has announced the development of a fully working die of a 1-gigabyte dynamic random access memory (DRAM) chip. The company reports that the semiconductor chip can store the equivalent of 160 print books, 8,000 newspaper pages, or 16 hours of audio data. The DRAM is designed for use in personal computers and workstations and is planned for release around the turn of the century with full-scale production forecast for 2005. "The 1-gigabyte DRAM with high speed and very low power consumption is expected to play a key role in...the next generation of portable multimedia products of the future," according to Y.W. Lee, Samsung Semiconductor Business president. National advisory group considers selections Selecting titles for the NLS braille collection and developments in the magazine program were issues addressed at the annual meeting of the National Advisory Group on Collection Building Activities, September 10 12, 1997. The group learned that the magazine program has been revised to provide patrons a more current selection of magazines (see News, July September 1997). Michael Moodie, NLS research and development officer, told the group that the new offerings, which will begin distribution in January 1998, are more "in tune" with reader interests. He also noted that he expects the children's magazines to be especially well received. Catherine O'Connor, NLS bibliographer, explained the process for selecting subjects for bibliographies. She said that most bibliographies are determined by surveying network libraries, who survey their patrons. Some minibibliographies have been developed in response to patron requests and others according to needs expressed by the NLS community of libraries and readers. Judith Dixon, consumer relations officer, led a discussion of the issues involved in selecting titles for braille production. The group cited content and "enduring value" as major factors for considering a book. The group also discussed selecting more nonfiction books, especially how-to titles and cookbooks. Committee members recommended that more mystery, classics, and award-winning science fiction books be added to the collection. They also asked to see more nonfiction books about different cultures and countries for readers in grades 3 through 6. In addition, they recommended adding at least one title per year in grade 1 braille; placing the volume number, issue number, and date on the first side of each recorded magazine (as it is on the title page of braille magazines); and recording books written about the Internet for children. The group also recommended that NLS continue to withdraw outdated material and that network librarians who are willing to share bibliographies and minibibliographies they produce send the information to NLS. The committee commended NLS for establishing a policy for interlibrary loans between the network and Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic and for its efforts to meet the braille-reading needs of young patrons. (Members of the National Advisory Group on Collection Building Activities Representatives from consumer organizations: American Council of the Blind, Tom Mitchell; Blinded Veterans Association, Art Mathews; National Federation of the Blind, Sandra Halverson Reader-at-large representatives: Midlands Region, Edward Legge; Northern Region, Linda Kirk; Southern Region, David Faucheux; Western Region, Margaret Blomberg Librarians: Midlands, Pat Klemans, Michigan; Northern, S. Francis Woods, Vermont; Southern, Sandra Whitmer, Georgia; Western, Henry C. Chang, California Children's and young adult advisors: Cassie Hamm, New York; Pamela Finley, Missouri.) (photo caption: Discussing the magazine program and other issues at their annual meeting were national advisory group members (from left) librarian S. Francis Woods, consumer group representative Sandra Halverson, and David Faucheux, reader-at-large. Photo by Yusef El-Amin.) NLS receives awards for PSA usage Two certificates of excellence from the North American Precis Syndicate (NAPS) were awarded to NLS in August 1997. NAPS recognizes organizations that produce an "extraordinary volume of media coverage," from public service announcements (PSAs) run in newspapers and magazines and on radio stations. "Newspapers and broadcast stations receive hundreds of PSAs, which are essentially bids for free advertising, all the time," says Robert Fistick, head of the NLS Publications and Media Section. "They all represent good causes, as indicated by the `public service' part of their name, but the media can't respond to all the requests. The test of a successful campaign is that the PSA is actually used--or placed--in the newspaper or on the air." In conjunction with the release of two posters in 1996, "My Books Talk" and "At Home with Talking Books," NLS had print ad copy and radio announcer copy sent to various media organizations. An unprecedented number of placements resulted. The PSA coordinated with the "My Books Talk" poster won an award for placements in newspapers, and the PSA included with "At Home with Talking Books" received recognition for placements on radio stations. NAPS normally honors those organizations whose placements are in the top one-quarter of one percent. While 300 placements is considered exceptionally high, for "My Books Talk" NLS achieved an extraordinary total of 921 placements in newspapers with a readership of 52.6 million in 29 states. The cost of buying this advertising would have been $146,505. "At Home with Talking Books" aired 2,378 times on 542 radio stations with 41.5 million listeners. The value of this advertising is $181,135. The NLS success rates for these PSAs were lauded by NAPS as "superior achievements in media relations." NLS produces titles in grade 1 braille Recent NLS braille-book production has included several titles in grade 1 braille. Spurred by concerns that beginning braille readers may find grade 2 braille too difficult to read, the National Advisory Group on Collection Building Activities recommended that NLS produce a limited number of short books in grade 1 braille to meet this need. "Selection of the grade 1 titles required consideration of many factors" says Ruth Foss, head of the NLS Collection Development Section. "Librarians sought books that were short, easy to read, and with very high appeal." Grade 1 braille employs the same alphabet, numbers, and punctuation as the more commonly used grade 2 braille but without any of the 189 contractions found in grade 2 braille. NLS is eager to learn how these books are used and if more titles in grade 1 braille would increase reading opportunities among those interested in learning braille. Currently available grade 1 braille books are The High Graders (BR 10647) by Louis L'Amour, My Dog Skip (BR 10740) by Willie Morris, Best of O. Henry (BR 10794) by O. Henry, and Flash Fiction (BR 10708) edited by James Thomas and others. Other grade 1 braille books are currently in - production. Network librarians assist with NLS exhibits Once again, NLS will be exhibiting at more than thirty national conferences throughout the country as part of its public awareness program. The meetings on the NLS exhibit schedule are selected because they present an opportunity for the organization to reach large numbers of potential patrons and their families, friends, and the professionals who work with them. The exhibit program involves acquiring booth space and sending staff to greet visitors, answer questions, display materials, and distribute literature about obtaining free library service. The effort requires both financial resources and staff people. NLS is fortunate in that it has found allies in the network of cooperating libraries. Throughout the years-- especially the past eight--these agencies have helped allay travel costs by volunteering to staff exhibits held in their geographical area. Fiscal year 1998 boasts the largest number of regional libraries contributing assistance to the program. Thirteen libraries will be sending personnel to exhibit halls to set up booths and materials, greet visitors, provide information, give out handouts, and pack up materials for return shipping to Washington, D.C. These include regional libraries in Chicago, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana; Atlanta, Georgia; Cincinnati, Ohio; Boston, Massachusetts; New York, New York; Baltimore, Maryland; Jefferson City, Missouri; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Daytona Beach, Florida. Staff from some of these libraries will be attending more than one exhibit. Other libraries provide staff on an informal basis to assist the NLS person coordinating an exhibit in their area. The effort of all network affiliates who help NLS to meet the people it serves is greatly appreciated. Some are especially notable because they have consistently said "yes" each time the exhibit coordinator has called requesting aid. Daytona Beach, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; New York, New York; Phoenix, Arizona; and Los Angeles, California, have each handled three or more conferences since 1990. For example, regionals and subregionals in Florida have handled seven conferences for NLS since 1991. Florida regional librarian Don Weber says he helps out because "We are all part of one network. If we don't help each other, we are doomed." He has also found staffing the conferences to be worthwhile because of the number of people who need the information. Barbara Perkis, the regional librarian in Chicago, Illinois, agrees with Weber. She and Mamie Grady of the Chicago subregional library have carried the responsibility for six NLS exhibits. "It is so important to get the word out about this wonderful service. So many people are surprised to learn that the program exists," Perkis says. She also enjoys "talking about the service to people who do not know about it and meeting people who are already patrons." "Network libraries have made a significant difference in NLS's public awareness efforts," says Robert Fistick, head of the NLS Publications and Media Section, which coordinates the exhibit program. (photo caption: Greeting a participant at the National Student Nurses Association Convention at Phoenix, Arizona, in April 1997 was Sandra Everett, assistant director of the Arizona State Braille and Talking Book Library.) NLS exhibit schedule FY98 Discovery '97 Low Vision Conference Chicago, Illinois October 16-18, 1997 American Health Care Association San Antonio, Texas October 26-29, 1997 American Public Health Association Indianapolis, Indiana November 9-12, 1997 National Student Nurses Association Atlanta, Georgia November 13-16, 1997 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Atlanta, Georgia November 13-16, 1997 Gerontological Society of America Cincinnati, Ohio November 14-18, 1997 Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps Boston, Massachusetts December 10-13, 1997 American Academy of Optometry San Antonio, Texas December 10-14, 1997 American Library Association Midwinter Conference New Orleans, Louisiana January 10-12, 1998 Music Library Association Boston, Massachusetts February 11-14, 1998 Council on Social Work Education Orlando, Florida March 5-8, 1998 International Vision Expo New York, New York March 27-29, 1998 National Council on the Aging Washington, D.C. March 29-April 2, 1998 American Occupational Therapy Association Baltimore, Maryland April 3-7, 1998 Music Educators National Convention Phoenix, Arizona April 15-18, 1998 Council for Exceptional Children Minneapolis, Minnesota April 15-19, 1998 National Conference of Librarians Serving Blind and Physically Handicapped Readers Burlington, Vermont May 3-7, 1998 President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities New Orleans, Louisiana May 6-8, 1998 American Association of Retired Persons Minneapolis, Minnesota June 1-4, 1998 Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International Washington, D.C. June 2-7, 1998 Association for the Care of Children's Health Kansas City, Missouri June 14-17, 1998 RESNA Minneapolis, Minnesota June 26-July 1, 1998 American Library Association Washington, D.C. June 27-30, 1998 American Council of the Blind Orlando, Florida July 4-10, 1998 National Federation of the Blind Dallas, Texas July 4-10, 1998 Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired Atlanta, Georgia July 8-12, 1998 National Association of Area Agencies on Aging Tulsa, Oklahoma July 18-22, 1998 Blinded Veterans Association Itasca, Illinois August 11-15, 1998 American Association of Diabetes Educators Minneapolis, Minnesota August 19-23, 1998 Foundation Fighting Blindness Chicago, Illinois August 21-23, 1998 American Legion National Conference New Orleans, Louisiana September 4-10, 1998 National Association of Retired Federal Employees Orlando, Florida September 13-17, 1998 Abilities Expo D.C. Washington, D.C. September 25-27, 1998 Meeting the need: Philadelphia regional library maintains literacy program for disabled adults Nina Washklovitch is seventy-one years old. She has multiple sclerosis, which limits her mobility and impairs her vision. Despite these challenges, in early 1994 she enrolled in the Adult Basic Education and General Educational Development (ABE/GED) program at Philadelphia's Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. This program has been specially designed to help disabled adults earn high-school equivalency, or GED, diplomas. Instructors in the program use adaptive classroom equipment--tape recorders, talking calculators, braille writers, and magnifiers--and provide learning materials in braille and large print and on cassettes. Computers purchased with a grant in 1997 are outfitted with screen enlargement software, speech synthesizers, and braille display software. The instructors often verbalize each word written on the blackboard, and they rely on patience, flexibility, and individual attention to achieve success in the classroom. Exams are administered in braille and large print and in a recorded version, under the supervision of the Philadelphia School District. Some students record their answers on tape or in braille for later transcription by the test monitors, and students receive extra time to complete their exams, when necessary. In December 1994, Ms. Washklovitch achieved her fervent goal and received her GED diploma. She remained with the program as a special tutor for several months, and in 1997 she is employed and has become vice president of the Philadelphia Corporation on Aging. She also keeps up an impressive pace outside of work--she swims at least twice a week and plays pool when she has the time. But Ms. Washklovitch is not the only student whose life has been dramatically altered by this unique program. Other graduates have been accepted into computer-training programs and a number are enrolled in college-level classes. About seventy adults enter the Philadelphia ABE/GED program each year, usually after referral by one of the city's numerous social service agencies. More than 575 have participated since the program began in 1986; at least 250 have graduated with high-school equivalency diplomas. Others have improved their reading skills enough to enjoy the newspaper or to share the magic of books with their children or grandchildren. Many have advanced their math skills enough to balance their checkbooks, to calculate shopping costs, and to pay their bills. Jill Gross is the administrator and a teacher in the program. Two part-time instructors and a group of dedicated volunteers also provide individualized instruction and assistance to those who need it. The program is funded primarily by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, with additional assistance by The Free Library of Philadelphia, the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, and the Philadelphia School District. This program has been shaped, in part, by the goal of compliance with the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which made discrimination against disabled persons a crime. But for the staff and volunteers in Philadelphia's program, the goal of making adult education accessible to Pennsylvania residents who have disabilities is not only legally mandated, it is also the right thing to do. (Material for this article was provided by Jill Gross, ABE/GED program administrator at the Philadelphia regional library.) (photo caption: Nina Washklovitch.) (photo caption: Jill Gross, ABE/GED program administrator and teacher, helps student Rocco Long.) Jacqueline Conner to direct MSCE Jacqueline L. Conner was appointed director of the Multi- state Center East (MSCE) in Cincinnati, Ohio, effective November 3. The two NLS multistate centers serve as backup storage and distribution facilities for materials including playback machines, books, magazines, publications, posters, forms, and other basic supplies. The Multistate Center West is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Conner has been with The Clovernook Center, which manages the MSCE under contract with NLS, for five years, serving as director of sales and marketing and support services. Previously she served as facilities manager for support services with Santon & Hughes, also in Cincinnati. She has a BA from Boston College, Boston, Massachusetts; an M.Ed. from Northeastern University in Boston; and an MBA in management information systems from Xavier University in Cincinnati. Conner replaces Kenneth Beckel, who retired at the end of October. Cleveland patrons find learning is fun Billed as "Family Fun and Learning Days," the program held at the Cleveland, Ohio, regional library on July 17 and 18 had something for all ages and interests. The "intellectual" part of the program (which many thought was fun) was handled by Judith Dixon, NLS consumer relations officer, who led the group through two days of intensive Internet training. Participants were shown new avenues to access information. Concurrently, there were presentations from Nancy Slusser and Ed Hird, Cleveland Zoo "edZoocators," who brought animal guest stars to touch and feel; a presentation on dinosaurs by Norwalk Library director Martin Haffey; a talk on the Cleveland Indians baseball team by Mike Sparrow, Cleveland Public Library (CPL) assistant; a discussion of descriptive video tapes by Arnold McClain, head, CPL Audio-Visual Department; and a talk on the Ohio Indians by Don Altmus, naturalist from the Rocky River Metroparks. Over the two-day period approximately 100 patrons and staff enjoyed learning and having fun. (This article was provided by Barbara Mates, Cleveland regional librarian.) (photo caption: Cleveland Zoo "edZoocator" Nancy Slusser (left) describes the emu egg in patron Esther Johnson's hand. Looking on are Gail Morse (center), assistant head of the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, and Stephanie Combs, library assistant. Photo by Kathy Webster.) Children's catalog to be available on cassette Patrons who use the catalog For Younger Readers will be able to receive the recorded version of the 1996 1997 edition on cassette. In the past the version that patrons could keep was recorded on flexible disc. Young patrons who wanted the information on cassette had to request the book on loan from regional libraries. The publication of this catalog on cassette will coincide with another milestone in early 1998: production of all children's magazines on cassettes. Young patrons will be able to listen to popular titles including Cricket, Seventeen, Sports Illustrated for Kids, and Spider. The biennial catalog includes all fiction and nonfiction children's titles produced during the years named, plus young adult titles suitable for junior high readers. It is produced in three versions for readers to keep: large print, which contains both recorded and braille titles; braille, which includes only braille titles; and recorded--now on cassette--which includes only recorded titles. The cassette version available on loan through the collection contains both recorded and braille titles. Because of its length, the recorded version of the For Younger Readers catalog will require two cassettes. Until recently this length posed shipment difficulties because of packaging limitations. However, with the pending gradual conversion of magazines from flexible-disc to cassette format, a packaging system has been created for multiple cassettes. This new packaging will make possible a recorded version of the children's catalog in the same format as their recorded books and magazines. IFLA groups consider information technology Prior to the 1997 conference of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) in Copenhagen, Denmark, nearly 170 persons from around the world met for three days in K ge, Denmark, for an "expert meeting" on Information Technologies and Library Services for the Visually Impaired. The meeting was coordinated by the IFLA Section of Libraries for the Blind and hosted by the Danish National Library for the Blind (DBB). From August 27 29 participants heard presentations from agencies serving print-handicapped individuals in Europe, Japan, and North America. Presentations Winnie Vitzansky, director of the DBB, opened the meeting with a description of "The Danish Way--Library Services to Blind and Print-handicapped People in Denmark," describing how the DBB and public libraries work together to provide special-format materials to eligible Danish readers. Pedro Zurita, secretary general of the World Blind Union, presented the user's perspective on information technology. He emphasized that blind people must not be seen as a homogeneous group, but that the information needs of the various subgroups must be considered independently, and that the achievement of an international standard for digital talking books is essential. Stephen King, director, Technical and Consumer Services, Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB), argued that in the near future we should begin a transition to the integrated digital production of special-format materials. That is, rather than producing one book only in braille and another book only in audio, agencies must develop the capability to provide the user with the - requested information in the medium most appropriate to the document and the user's current need, whether braille, audio, e-text, or large print. Victoria Owen, director of library services for the Library for the Blind, Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), described the creation of the Information - Resource Centre (IRC), which provides reference information to blind and visually impaired users across Canada in the format of their choice. A key element of the IRC's success has been the partnership between the CNIB and three large public and university libraries with extensive reference - capabilities. Robert Korsloot of the Netherlands Library for Audio and Braille presented a structured approach to analyzing the many problems inherent in migrating from an analog to a digital environment. He argued for a systems approach to the analysis, using as an example the digital audio system blueprint being developed at his library. Michael Moodie, NLS research and development officer, described the different types of online public-access catalogs (OPACs) offered by libraries and the features that impact accessibility by visually impaired users. He presented examples from a half dozen operational OPACs and offered guidelines for enhancing accessibility. Other presenters covered such topics as the importance of structured text in accessing information, a bulletin board system for distributing periodicals, the development of the DAISY (Digital Audio Information System), and copyright law and the rights of blind and partially sighted people. The full text of the papers presented may be accessed on the DBB Web page at www.dbb.dk/ifla/papers.htm. Joint meeting At the subsequent IFLA conference in Copenhagen, among the hundreds of sessions offered was a joint meeting of the Section of Libraries for the Blind and the Section of - Libraries Serving Disadvantaged Persons. Two of the key presentations at this session were from Peter Craddock of Londonderry, Northern Ireland, who described "Share the Vision," a partnership agency promoting library and information services for print-handicapped people in the United Kingdom, and from the CNIB, which announced the launch of VISUNET, a vision of virtual library service for the blind. Rosemary Kavanagh, executive director, and Barbara Freeze, director for systems and operations, CNIB Library for the Blind, detailed the matrix of elements, current and planned, that make up VISUNET. In addition to the Information Resource Centre described above, VISUNET includes such services as an OPAC with online ordering capabilities, access to daily newspapers through the Internet and telephone, and programs to integrate print-disabled Canadians into their local library service by linking CNIB resources to public libraries. Conference proceedings are available at the IFLA Web site ifla.org. Library services in Denmark The Danish National Library for the Blind (DBB) in Copenhagen is changing dramatically in the 1990s, building on its record of service to visually handicapped readers. Denmark's first Library for the Blind was established in 1924 and soon became an integral part of the national library network. Recorded books-on-tape were first introduced in the 1950s and have steadily increased in popularity. Services provided With a staff of 136, DBB serves nearly 11,000 patrons with a collection of more than 10,500 recorded volumes and 9,800 braille and sheet-music titles. Each year the collection increases by about 1,600 recorded titles and 100 braille titles. In 1996 more than 5,900 master tapes and more than 100,000 master pages of braille were produced, and these, in turn, were used to produce 530,000 audio cassettes and 4.5 million pages of braille to loan to patrons. Total circulation exceeds one million units each year, including books, periodicals, and sheet music--both recorded and braille versions. One of DBB's important initiatives in 1996 was its effort to involve patrons in its planning and operations. DBB's five advisory committees--the Audio Production Committee, the Braille Production Committee, the Deaf-Blind Committee, the Ways and Means Committee, and the Library Committee--all include representatives of visually handicapped patrons and of readers with disabilities other than visual impairment. For example, the Danish Dyslexia Association is represented on the DBB Library Committee, which facilitates network services nationwide. Technology Another important theme of DBB's development in the 1990s is advancing its automation technology. Legislation implemented on January 1, 1997, eased copyright restrictions on the conversion of published works to recorded media. At present, the text of most books is available on diskette, which may be converted into synthetic speech or braille; eventually, readers will be able to access electronic text directly on the Internet and to retrieve it electronically within a few seconds. DBB is formulating plans to implement digital technology in the production of new recordings and to replace existing tapes with digital recordings in the not too distant future. Digital technology will improve the quality and speed of recording, storing, and managing recorded data, and it will also improve the production of volumes in braille. These plans represent a step toward change "from a traditional library for the blind to a virtual library for the blind," in the words of DBB's director, Winnie Vitzansky. DBB is participating in a worldwide test program in digital technology using Sweden's DAISY software to record new books in digital format and to transfer older, analog recordings to the new medium. Information in this report is taken from these sources: Danish National Library for the Blind. The Internet: Electronic Texts, The Next Generation of Talking Books. Copenhagen, Denmark: DBB, 1997. (Web address: http://www.dbb.dk) Danish National Library for the Blind. The 1996 Annual Report. Ed. Lisbeth Trinskjaer. Copenhagen, Denmark: DBB, 1997. Svane-Mikkelsen, Jorgen. The Library System in Denmark. Copenhagen, Denmark: Royal School of Library and Information Science, 1997. National Geographic promotes braille edition The "Behind the Scenes" section of the November 1997 issue of the National Geographic magazine contains a photo of a hand reading the braille edition and a brief description of the NLS service. "The Geographic has a circulation of more than 9 million," says Robert Fistick, head of the NLS Publications and Media Section. "Exposure like this can reach a great many individuals, family members, and friends who could benefit from information about the program." Under the heading "Keeping in Touch," the text begins with "Some Geographic readers have a real feel for the magazine--they read the braille edition." The piece goes on to list the 1996 NLS circulation of 23 million braille and recorded copies of periodicals and books to eligible patrons--at no charge--and to note that the Geographic, with over 12,000 braille users, was the most requested magazine. Subscribers are directed to the NLS 800 number for further - information. The hand featured is that of a long-time braille reader--NLS patron Curtis Chong--who was representing the World Blind Union on the NISO Digital Talking Book Standards Committee when Geographic photographers took the picture. (More of Chong appears in a photo above.) (Photo by Mark O. Thiessen, (c) National Geographic Society.) The Program The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress publishes books and magazines in braille and in recorded form on discs and cassettes for readers who cannot hold, handle, or see well enough to read conventional print because of a temporary or permanent visual or physical handicap. Through a national network of state and local - libraries, the materials are loaned free to eligible readers in the United States and to U.S. citizens living abroad. Materials are sent to readers and returned by postage-free mail. Books and Magazines Readers may borrow all types of popular-interest books including bestsellers, classics, mysteries, westerns, poetry, history, biographies, religious literature, children's books, and foreign-language materials. Readers may also subscribe to more than seventy popular magazines in braille and recorded formats. Special Equipment Special equipment needed to play the discs and cassettes, which are recorded at slower than conventional speeds, is loaned indefinitely to readers. An amplifier with headphone is available for blind and physically handicapped readers who are also certified as hearing impaired. Other devices are provided to aid readers with mobility impairments in using playback machines. Eligibility You are eligible for the Library of Congress program if:  You are legally blind--your vision in the better eye is 20/200 or less with correcting glasses, or your widest diameter of visual field is no greater than 20 degrees;  You cannot see well enough or focus long enough to read standard print, although you wear glasses to correct your vision;  You are unable to handle print books or turn pages because of a physical handicap; or  You are certified by a medical doctor as having a reading disability, due to an organic dysfunction, which is of sufficient severity to prevent reading in a normal manner. How to Apply You may request an application by writing NLS or calling toll-free 1-800-424-9100, and your name will be referred to your cooperating library. News is published quarterly by: National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Library of Congress Washington, DC 20542 All correspondence should be addressed to the attention of Publications and Media Section. Editor: Vicki Fitzpatrick Writers: Rita Byrnes, Jane Caulton, Carol Corrigan, Michael Moodie, and George Thuronyi