Dear AXSLIBer's,

I have recently been appointed to serve on a state library standards
committee.  I am on the "access committee" whose charge is to propose
standards that will ensure all residents of the state have access to
libraries, their collections and services.

At our first meeting yesterday we had an interesting discussion about hi-tech
adaptive devices.  And I am looking for principles, ideas, points to ponder,
to broaden my understanding of the issue.

The discussion fell along these lines.  One of the people did not think
libraries should have hi-tech adaptive devices/software unless there was a
staff person dedicated to understanding how they worked, otherwise, in her
opinion they would be underutilized.  I felt that this is an unreasonable
standard-if we have "experts" for adaptive devices why wouldn't we have
experts for other specialized equipment or collections, for that matter.  I
tend to think that librarians and library staff need a general understanding
of how the equipment works and can give people the basics to get started.


But the questions intrigue me, and I believe are very important.  Any
thoughts, opinions, considerations that would help us understand the issues in
terms of best practice?

Please respond directly to me and if people would like I can summarize the
discussion.

Thanks
Julia Allegrini

P.S. I'm sorry I won't be at ALA this year and hope the accessibility pavilion
can be an annual event.

Library Supervisor
Northern Kentucky Talking Book Library
502 Scott Boulevard
Covington, Kentucky 41011
859-491-7610
toll free 866-491-7610
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