Making the DAISy (ANSI/NISO Z39.86-2005)
Connection:
DAISy, Academic Libraries, and Assistive Technology in
Higher Education
Mary J. Barnett
Consultant
North Texas Regional Library System
Fort Worth, Texas
Accessing Higher Ground
November 14, 2009
Winchester, CO
Making Connections
DAISy (digital accessible information system)
The DAISY (ANSI/NISO Z39.86-2005) standard for digital talking
books is having an impact in the provision of documents in
alternate format in higher education. Due to its radical
potential to change the production of alternate format
materials from a highly segmented, labor intensive process to
a highly networked, integrated, cost effective, digital process,
DAISY has vast potential for application in any area of society
where alternate format materials are needed.
DAISy: An Important Standard
Why DAISY is an important standard
Navigability: The DAISY standard allows users of digital books to interact with text in the same way that
students with printed text can; for instance, the standard allows for navigation features such as
bookmarking and moving between chapters, sections, and pages seamlessly.
A flexible standard for exchange: As an international standard for digital books, DAISY compliant books
can be shared and exchanged through different organizations and libraries. Content created using DAISY
standard not only creates excellent audio-based material but can also be translated into Braille, and large
print with minimal duplication of effort.
Existing infrastructure: There are numerous commercially-available hardware and software devices that
already support and play content created in accordance to the DAISY standard. Many current users of
digital books already have these devices, so usage of the DAISY standard does not require the purchase of
additional equipment for the end-user. Commercial and open source DAISY authoring tools allow content
creators to produce accessible content from inception.
Compatibility: The DAISY standard utilizes existing, well-defined standards used in the mainstream (e.g.,
XML, SMIL), which allows for forward compatibility, i.e., DAISY content created today will remain
compatible with DAISY playback devices developed in the future.
Source: DAISy in Higher Education http://www.daisy.org/projects/higher-ed/
Making Connections: Issues in Higher
Education
Assistive Technologists in Higher Education
Primary knowledge source about DAISy digital talking
books on their campus
Academic Librarians
Knowledgeable about digitization, but probably lack
knowledge about DAISy
Academic Librarians: Issues in Addressing
Accessible Technology
On Campus - roles about accessibility are defined by academic
administrative practices and policies.
Professional Organizations - academic librarians receive
professional advancement by attending meetings at library
organizations which may lack a focus on accessibility issues.
Although NLSBPH librarians are knowledgeable about DAISy,
organizational structures in librarianship offer little
opportunity for social connections between academic
librarians and librarians from the NLSBPH.
American Library Association (ALA) – Focus on Assistive Technology
ALA – Large collection of interest groups within librarianship – meets twice a year
Assistive technology primarily receives attention from two groups:
The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA)
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/ascla/ascla.cfm
Long history of focus on the area; includes
-- state library agencies
– libraries serving special populations (includes people with disabilities
– multitype library organization
– independent librarians
Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL)
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/index.cfm
– has an academic focus
ACRL Universal Accessibility Interest Group in ALA Connect – recent emphasis
http://connect.ala.org/node/75381http
Other groups may have periodic emphases on accessibility issues.
American Library Association Participation:
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLSBPH)
NLSBPH http://www.loc.gov/nls/about_history.html
Developed long before academic offices of disability services existed or individual
public libraries had the capacity to develop materials in alternate formats; state
library agencies are usually “home” to the NLSBPH in a state;
Some states have “sub-regionals;” divisions of the state NLSBPH in a larger public
library or other facility in the state;
The NLSBPH is characterized as a “public library”;
Provided leadership in developing DAISy;
Tend to participate at ALA-ASCLA; one of the smallest divisions;
Conference organizational structure makes it difficult for members to attend
meetings in more that one organizational area – little opportunity for a member
to attend meetings of the ASCLA group and the ACRL group at same conference.
Multi-type Library Systems: Opportunities for Participation In
Local Library Social Networks
Library Systems:
Term can refer to library information systems;
In this presentation, refers to groupings of individual libraries
organized regionally by state library agencies for
administration and development.
Two types:
1. Systems limited to public libraries
2. Systems that include academic libraries as well as other types
- multitype systems
Library Systems – Common Roles
• Training and conferences; present various kinds of
conferences and training opportunities year-round; national
and state library organizations usually meet only twice a year;
• Provide opportunities for leadership roles and credits
that enhance professional advancement;
• Focus on a smaller local area than national and state
library organizations.
Library Systems - Funding Patterns
The Institute of Museums and Library Services (IMLS)
http://www.imls.gov/ receives the Federal funds appropriated by
Congress under the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)
http://www.imls.gov/programs/programs.shtm
State library organizations, authorized by state legislatures, submit five
year plans to IMLS;
Requests must address targeted priorities, including services
for people with disabilities.
State libraries disperse funds through state system organizations;
Regional library systems submit requests for funding based on
targeted priorities, including services to people with
disabilities.
Responses to Request for Information sent to [ASCLA – L]
Discussion List May 24, 2009
Question - Part I
Which states authorize academic library
participation in their state library systems?
Question – Part II
Are there states or particular library systems in
states that have developed projects emphasizing
the Americans with Disabilities Act and the
provision of assistive technology in libraries?
Responses to Question - Part I
Which states authorize academic library participation in their
state library systems?
Responding “Yes”*
California
Colorado
Florida
Illinois
Ohio
Maine
Massachusetts
Nebraska
New Jersey
New York
*Responses were voluntary and not part of a systematic survey.
Responses to Question – Part II
Are there states or particular multitype library systems in states that have
developed projects emphasizing the Americans with Disabilities Act and the
provision of assistive technology in libraries?*
Illinois State Library
(http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/ )
Alliance Library System (http://www.alliancelibrarysystem.com/)
Innovation Department
Share the Health: Training People with Disabilities and Chronic
Medical Conditions on How to Locate Quality Health Information
(http://www.alliancelibrarysystem.com/pdf09/Sharethehealthfinalre
portmay2009.pdf)
Illinois Alive - online web archive on Illinois history with access
to e-books and audio descriptions of images
(http://www.alsaudioillinois.net/illinoisalive/)
*Responses were voluntary and not part of a systematic survey.
Texas – North Texas Regional (Public) Library System
Expanding Accessibility Project: Identifying Needs, Removing
Barriers and Enhancing Services and Accessibility
(http://www.ntrls.org/accessibility/)
The project is funded by an LSTA grant from the Texas State
Library in three phases, and includes an emphasis on assistive
technology:
• Phase 1 - Identify special needs which currently limit access to
library services and accessibility among the members of the
library's community. (September 2008)
• Phase 2 - Remove identified barriers. (September 2009)
• Phase 3 - Enhance services to and accessibility for that
population group. (September 2010)
NTRLS Expanding Accessibility
Phase 1 Project Activities
• During Phase 1, NTRLS will be helping member libraries
plan and implement Services Fairs for local residents
with disabilities, providing such services as the
following:
• Assistance in developing local contacts / partners who
serve people with disabilities,
• Development of a toolkit for coordinating such fairs,
• Group training in the use of those toolkits,
• Possible funding assistance for Fairs sponsored jointly
by a member library in conjunction with another
library and/or a community partner, and
• Related one-on-one consulting.
NTRLS Expanding Accessibility:
Participation by Academic Librarians
• As a part of the program, a program Advisory Council has been developed
to open the door for partnerships and to assure that all physical barriers to
access are being addressed. The Council includes public, academic and
medical librarians, school library and school district representatives, and
representatives of various groups which provide services to and / or
products for people with special needs.
• Program activities involve funding support for the purchase of assistive
technology.
• TechNet 2009, the annual NTRLS technology conference, included
participation by academic librarians and public librarians. A track on
universal accessibility issues included a presentation on DAISy.
(http://www.ntrls2.org/default.asp?action=article&ID=163)
Suggestions for Assistive Technologists on Making the
DAISy Connection Through Multitype Library Systems
Academic librarians participate in the activities of multitype library systems and are interested in
digital applications;
Librarians from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (identified
with public libraries) may also participate in multitype system activities and are
knowledgeable about DAISy;
Training opportunities and conferences sponsored by multitype systems may offer assistive
technologists opportunities to make presentations and develop professional relationships
with others knowledgeable about DAISy while offering opportunities to inform academic
librarians about the advantages of DAISy as a digital method for producing materials in
alternate formats.
Regional multitype systems offer opportunities for local interaction with academic librarians from
several institutions and public librarians from several communities without extensive travel;
States which have systems focused on public libraries may offer similar opportunities; states also
may change the emphasis from one focused solely on public libraries to one emphasizing
multitype systems.
Make the DAISy Connection!
• Contact your state library by telephone or through
the website;
• Identify state library system personnel in your region;
• Identify NLSBPH personnel at the state library or subregional library if your state has them; offer to work
on DAISy related issues;
• Offer to present on assistive technology at regional
library system meetings and conferences;
• Offer to serve as an information resource on DAISy!
Contact Information:
Mary J. Barnett
Independent Librarian/Consultant
Fort Worth, Texas
mbassistech@earthlink.net