Integrating Library Services with Daisy Books in Public Libraries Geert Ruebens, director LUISTERPUNT Flemish Library for Audio and Braille Books (Belgium)

Summary 1.Belgium (Flanders) 2.Public libraries in Flanders 3.Special libraries for print disabled : ‘Luisterpunt’: new special library 5.Cooperation with public libraries 6.Contact

1. Belgium oKingdom: created 1830: constitution oPolitical system: parliamentary democracy oEuropean Union: membership oFederal 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) oOfficial languages: 3 Flanders: Dutch Wallonia: French Brussels: Dutch + French (+ many other languages) German Community: German

1. Maps of Belgium

1. Facts about Flanders oSurface: km² (B: km²) oPopulation: (58%) (Belgium: ) oAge structure : ● Youngsters (0-19 years): 23% ● Adults (20-64 years): 60% ● Elderly (+65 years): 17% oVisual impaired: o2008: 2% = oIn 2015:

2. Public Libraries in Flanders oMunicipalities: 308 (Belgium: 589) oMembership of a library: 25% oLibrary law: library = obligation (1921, 1978) Decree Local Cultural Policy (2001) oFlemish agencies: Locus: support Bibnet: support library automation oSpecial 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

Situation till 2007: 2 independent special libraries Funded by Flemish Government Since 2005: Daisy books Joint on line catalogue:

3. Special libraries:key figures 2008 oUsers: members = 4% of the target group ( ) oCollection: Braille: Daisy: oLending: Braille: Daisy:

3. Special libraries

o2008: New library for print disabled oMeaningful name: Luister Punt Bibliotheek oIncreased funding by Flemish Government: 1,5 MEUR/year oDemand of Government: more readers: doubling by 2010 more cooperation with public libraries, homes for the elderly and schools 4. ‘Luisterpunt’

Logo with baseline: Everybody can read 4. ‘Luisterpunt’

oLink to on line catalogue with possibility of reservation oInformation: Policy Plan, Promotion Projects, Cooperation Public Libraries, Membership, Collection, … 4. ‘Luisterpunt’

4. Luisterpunt: objective 1 oBraille on demand: Braille collection needs a lot of space and paper Near future: developing digital braille books Only print on demand

4. Luisterpunt: objective 2 oDyslectic 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

4. Luisterpunt: objective 3 oDaisy books and Daisy players in public libraries (see 5.)

4. Luisterpunt: objective 4 oStreaming and/or downloading of Daisy books

4. Luisterpunt: objective 5 oPromotion of audio books Cooperation with commercial publishers: common interest Reading promotion: o2009 Promotion campaign to elderly: Daisy Players for 1000 homes of elderly -Mediacampaign & promotional materials -Workshops: training professionals -Parcels of 100 Daisy books

5. Cooperation Public Libraries oOn line catalogue of Daisy and braille books is part of Flemish union catalogue On line reservation oDaisy books in public libraries

5. Cooperation Public Libraries oParcels of 100 Daisy books (also children books) oLoan directly to readers and available in the homes for elderly oOnly for targetgroup: declaration of honour oNeeds promotion with local organisations

5. Cooperation Public Libraries oEvery library gets 1 or 2 Daisy players for free (Province) oAutumn 2009: 75 – 80 % of the public libraries join the project oFor results: see presentation of Mr. Kris De Winter (Province of Antwerp)

5. Cooperation Public Libraries oAgreement between 3 partners: Special library (for free): oLoan of Daisy books oDistribution of promotional materials oTraining in use of Daisy book and player Public library: oCommitment for local promotion Provincial government: oSupport in promotion o1 or 2 Daisy players in each library for free

5. Cooperation Public Libraries oResult: 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

6. Contact oWeb: oPhone: o oGeert Ruebens, director oAnn Voet, librarian oSaskia Boets, communication and promotion