Network Bulletin No.: 08-44
Date: October 17, 2008
Subject: National Conference of Libraries Serving Blind
and Physically Handicapped Individuals, 2008
Index Term: Regional conference resolutions
Attached are the resolutions passed at the 2008 national conference in San Antonio, Texas. The
resolutions are listed by regional conference and include NLS responses.
Attachment
For more information contact:
Carolyn Hoover Sung
Chief, Network Division
(202) 707-9300
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_____________________________________________________________________________________
Regional Conference Resolutions
2008 National Conference
San Antonio, Texas
Midlands Conference
1. The Midlands Conference members resolve to thank Richard Smith of the
Midlands Conference for planning an especially productive preconference; the
presenters for their preconference presentations; and Friends of Wolfner Library,
as well as sponsors from Colorado, Philadelphia, and Sacramento for providing
preconference refreshments.
NLS Response: NLS concurs.
2. The Midlands Conference members resolve to thank Ava Smith of the Texas
Regional Library and Texas State Library and Archives Commission, as well as
her staff for their exemplary hospitality.
NLS Response: NLS concurs.
3. The Midlands Conference members resolve to thank Steve Prine and the entire
NLS staff for the hard work and planning that resulted in an outstanding and
very informative NLS conference.
NLS Response: Thank you.
4. The Midlands Conference members resolve to thank all conference presenters for
providing informative, enlightening, and frankly entertaining presentations.
NLS Response: NLS concurs.
5. The Midlands Conference members resolve to thank NLS for accommodating our
recommendations to amend the XESS schedule.
NLS Response: You are welcome.
6. The Midlands Conference members would like to thank NLS for its
resourcefulness and environmental responsibility in using recycled cassette book
containers. However, we request that NLS reexamine the quality control
standards of recycled containers to ensure durability.
NLS Response: This standard will be reviewed.
7. The Midlands Conference members recommend that, until there is a sufficient
number of available digital machines, the production of available cassette titles
continues. We do not wish to see patrons who are forced to use a cassette player
be further penalized with a lack of new reading material.
NLS Response: NLS agrees.
8. The Midlands Conference members resolve to thank the NFB, ACB, and other
groups and individuals who have advocated for full funding of the NLS digital
program.
NLS Response: NLS concurs.
9. The Midlands Conference members recommend that NLS continue to work
toward acquiring full funding of the digital program, plus restoring any previous
shortfall; and we, as Midlands libraries, resolve that we will locally support those
efforts as well.
NLS Response: NLS concurs, but final budget decisions are made by Congress.
10. The Midlands Conference members resolve to oppose all of the elements in the
Ducrest report and recommend that NLS do so as well.
NLS Response: NLS understands the Midlands Conference's concern.
11. The Midlands Conference members resolve to strongly recommend that
multistate centers (MSCs) continue serving, as usual, as interlibrary loan
providers, and that such provision extends to digital format. The multistate
centers should be provided with the means to maintain a substantial collection
of digital books in order to equitably meet the interlibrary loan needs of network
libraries and their patrons in every state.
NLS Response: This topic will be reexamined, but the network should be aware
that if the decision is to provide copies to the MSCs it will mean fewer copies for
network libraries.
12. The Midlands Conference members resolve to strongly recommend that NLS
provide access to network library digitally recorded titles for downloading by
library users directly from the NLS International Union Catalog, as NLS does for
Web-Braille books. While NLS quality assurance standards are a goal we
constantly strive to achieve, locally recorded titles that do not meet standards
could be linked to the NLS catalog with a disclaimer.
NLS Response: NLS is currently not willing to discard or lower the quality-
assurance standard for locally recorded titles. However, network libraries can list
a locally recorded title in the NLS International Union Catalog even if it does not
pass quality-assurance inspection, and other libraries may borrow it through the
interlibrary loan process.
Northern Conference
1. The Northern Conference resolves that NLS request its braille certification
contractor (the National Federation of the Blind) to install a toll-free number for
the use of certification course students, proofreaders, and others who previously
contacted the NLS Braille Development Section for consultation and support on
braille code and usage questions.
NLS Response: Based on a cost-benefit analysis of implementing a toll-free
number for the braille certification programs, and based on the large volume of
calls and other contacts we currently receive through the systems we have in
place, it is our assessment that to make available a toll-free number would not
significantly impact the ability of interested individuals to reach us or our
general customer service. Therefore, at this time we believe that the
implementation of an 800 number needlessly adds cost to the operation of the
program. However, we will continue to monitor call volumes and participation in
the courses to see if the cost-benefit analysis changes.
Southern Conference
1. Whereas the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
held the national conference in San Antonio, Texas, May 4 8, 2008:
Whereas NLS provided excellent accommodations, outstanding programs, and
breakout groups:
Whereas speakers at the conference were knowledgeable, informed, and
entertaining:
Be it therefore resolved the Southern Conference sincerely thanks the National
Library Service conference planning committee for a well-organized, informative,
and entertaining national conference this May 2008.
NLS Response: You are welcome.
2. Whereas the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
held the national conference in San Antonio, Texas May 4 8, 2008:
Whereas excellent accommodations and entertainment were provided:
Be it therefore resolved the Southern Conference sincerely thanks Ava Smith and
her staff for a memorable conference this May 2008.
NLS Response: NLS concurs.
3. Whereas the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
has made significant progress to convert talking books and talking-book players
from an analog cassette format to a digital format:
Whereas the Southern Conference supports the goal of the National Library
Service network of libraries to provide exceptional service to its customers:
Whereas the National Library Service conversion to digital talking books and
equipment is the best way to provide optimum in talking book technology:
Whereas the Southern Conference believes that network libraries must be
provided an adequate number of copies of the titles produced by the National
Library Service:
Whereas the Southern Conference believes that the reduction in the number of
copies available through copy allotment will be detrimental to the quality of
service provided by network libraries:
Be it therefore resolved the Southern Conference requests that the National
Library Service reevaluate the copy allotment quotes to the network libraries.
NLS Response: NLS concurs with the concern; however, the quantity of RCs and
DBs made available to the network in FY 2008 was determined by the amount of
money available. NLS expects to be able to provide more titles and copies of DBs
in FY 2009.
4. Whereas Jonathan A. Reynolds served as chairperson for the Southern
Conference:
Whereas he has served skillfully as chairperson:
Whereas he has dedicated his service and time to the Southern Conference:
Be it therefore resolved the Southern Conference thanks Jonathan Reynolds for
his service to the Southern Conference and expresses gratitude for his continued
service.
NLS Response: NLS concurs.
5. Whereas Francine I. Martin has served as the regional librarian for the North
Carolina Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped since 1995:
Whereas Francine Martin has made significant contributions to the Southern
Conference and the national network of libraries servicing people with print
impairments:
Whereas Francine Martin is retiring after twenty years of dedicated service to the
profession, North Carolina patrons, the Southern Conference, and National
Library Service:
Be it therefore resolved that the members of the Southern Conference wish her a
retirement filled with happiness and adventure.
NLS Response: NLS concurs.
Western Conference
1. Consider providing hosting and access to all network library digitally recorded
titles for downloading by library users from the NLS International Union Catalog
or BARD.
NLS Response: See response to Midlands Conference Resolution #12.
2. Contract with multistate centers to maintain or duplicate on demand digital
books to meet interlibrary loan needs.
NLS Response: See response to Midlands Conference Resolution #11.
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