SLB PRE - CONFERENCE

BRIDGING THE GAP IN THE PROVISION OF LIBRARY SERVICES AND LITERACY SUPPORT FOR THE BLIND IN REALISING THE INFORMATION AGE

SABAH STATE LIBRARY: REACHING OUT TO THE PRINT HANDICAPPED

Penang Malaysia

August 18-20, 1999

BY VUI YIN WONG

SABAH STATE LIBRARY

Sabah: A brief Introduction

Sabah, one of the 13 states that make up Malaysia is traditionally known as The Land below the Wind. Recognized as one last tropical rainforest of the world, the lush green forest and unique flora and fauna in Sabah make it both a nature lover and botanist haven. Covering an area of 73,600 square kilometers, Sabah sits on the northern tip of the Borneo Island, surrounded by the South China Sea on the West, the Sulu Sea in the north and the Celebes Sea in the east. The most prominent and well-known landmark of Sabah is none other than the majestic Mt. Kinabalu. Geographically young, Mt Kinabalu at 4,094 meters is the highest peak in the Croaker range is said to be growing at a rate of 0.3cm per year. Mt Kinabalu covers an area of 700 square kilometers and believed to contain between 5,000 to 6,000 species of vascular plants, one of the six highest global diversity centers of the world, with more than 5,000 species per 10,000 square kilometers. Geographically situated south of the Philippines, Sabah is just outside the typhoon belt that blights the Philippines. Thus the name The Land below the Wind.

The population is as diversified as its natural resources with at least 40 ethnic groups speaking over 50 languages and 90 dialects. The largest ethnic group being the Kadazandusun, a political term encompassing both the Kadazan and Dusun. The rest includes Bajau, Murut and the largest non-indigenous Chinese population. To date the Sabah population attributed only 10 percent of the total national population at 2.1 million.

Kota Kinabalu is the administrative, financial and economic centre of the state where most of the government departments, banks and business activities are centered. Situated at the heart of Kota Kinabalu lies the Sabah State Library.

Sabah State Library

Forty-six years ago in 1953, the Information department created a small library section to look into collecting published materials in then Jesselton town. From that initial small section, it became a state government department in 1972. Today the Sabah State Library is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Social Development and Consumer Affairs, formerly known as the Ministry of Social service, Sabah. Being a government department it receives its funding solely from the State government although since 1992, the Federal government has been giving an annual grant to the library as well as providing funding for construction of new library building projects. From its humble beginning, Sabah State Library has undergoing tremendous change and development. Today it has one of the most developed library systems in the country.

To date the Sabah State Library network consists of the headquarters library in Kota Kinabalu, three regional, 18 branch, 12 Mobile and 37 Village libraries strategically located in major towns and villages throughout Sabah. The regional libraries are located in large towns while branches are located at smaller urban town centers at the various districts and Village libraries are found at remote villages. The mobile libraries visit schools and villages along bituminous roads that are away from the towns. The Sabah State Library is still expanding with new library buildings being constructed and new services being planned.

With a literacy rate that is much lower than the national average, the Sabah state government realizes the important role library plays in eradicating illiteracy. Based on a 10-year development plan, funds were channeled for the construction of new library buildings to ensure the communities are able to enjoy the full range of library facilities found throughout the state. Since 1993, a total of seven such libraries were built costing the state government a total of RM 47 million. Some of these libraries are in small town such as in Sipitang where the library is only 16,000 square feet. The biggest so far is situated in the interior town of Keningau with a floor area is 60,000 square feet. The construction of a new headquarters library and another branch library fully funded by the Federal government in Lahad Datu is in progress.

Beside the physical development, the Sabah State Library also became the first public library in the country to computerize when in 1988 it installed the Urica Library system now called with the Acquisitions, cataloguing, Reference Enquiry, Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) and Circulation modules. The system has been renamed Spydus and the installation has been extended to Sandakan, Tawau and Penampang.

The Sabah State Library employs the most number of qualified librarians in Sabah and only the National library of Malaysia employs more librarians in the country.

Library services to the Blind

Although the Sabah State Library was established as a government machinery for 27 years, basically to provide library and information service to the people of Sabah, the types of service provided are the conventional loan of books, general reference and extension services. In the earlier years, the focus was on school children. It was felt that emphasis should be given to young children. The nation was faced with the problem where very few people read and it was felt that a young developing nation like Malaysia should have a population that read ferociously on all subjects, not only pertaining to science and technology but on other matters like philosophy and literature. Where else other than the public library where unlimited library resources are freely available for members of the public. With these efforts the government hoped to raise at least a new generation of readers and library users.

The shift in focus came in August 1996 where the Minister of Social services, Sabah (The name of the Ministry has since changed to the Ministry of Community Development and Consumer Affairs) launched the service of the Visually Impaired Persons (VIP) in the headquarters library. It was felt that the time has come for the Sabah State Library to move into another aspect of library service that is totally new in line with the caring society concept.

Before the launch of this special service, one person in particular must be given the credit for initiating the project. He is none other than Mr. Hiroshi Kawamura, the then chairman of the IFLA Section of Libraries for the Blind. That was in November 1993. Then the Japan Braille Library donated a set of computer to the library and at the same time donated another set with Braille Embosser to the Sabah Society for the Blind. The Sabah Secretaries Association donated a voice synthesizer to further compliment the other equipment in the library. In November 1995 the library purchased "An Open Book", which can scan printed materials and read in a human-like robotic voice. This equipment is truly a break through as those who come to use the service could "read" whatever documents or books without involving a third party. The need to print Braille which could be time consuming and bulky is also avoided. Subsequent to that the library also purchased the Alpha Vision CCTV for those with low vision.

In 1997 and 1998 the Sabah State Library together with the National Council for the Blind, Malaysia and Japan Braille Library organised two international workshop on Computerised Braille production. Funding and support of the workshop came from the Japan Braille Library and National Council for the Blind, Malaysia. All the computer equipments were donated by the Japan Braille Library to the participants. In 1998 a resource person and special tactile equipmemnts for the workshop was sponsored by FORCE Foundation. Participants were donated the Duxbury Braille translator together with the Index printer after the workshop. The Sabah State Library

received four additional Duxbury translators as a result and these are kept in the Sandakan and Tawau regional libraries.

This free service is provided to individuals who have a visual or physical disability that limits the use of regular print materials.

Besides the service in the headquarters library, this special service is also offered in Sandakan and Tawau Regional Library. We are in the planning stage of implementing this service in our Keningau Regional library.

Membership to the VIP service is free. Membership is open to anyone with a visual or physical disability that limits the use of regular print materials. All they need to do is to register with the library. Once they become members, they can enjoy all the services provided. This would include the large print books, talking books and use all the equipment in the library. If they do not know how to operate the equipment, our staff at the Multi media library will be able to assist them. The VIP service is open throughout library opening hours: on weekdays the library is open from 9.00 in the morning until 9.00 in the evening. Saturdays from 9.00 am until 5.00 p.m. and Sundays from 9.00 am until 1.00 p.m. Very soon Internet service for the Visually Impaired will be available. This is done with the cooperation of the Sabah society of the Blind. The library will provide the Computer with Internet facility while the Sabah Society for the Blind will provide the JAWS screen reader. This equipment will enable those who are blind to access the Internet. The possibility of accessing the Internet by the blind will be a real information and technological break through. In fact truly bridging the gap in the access of information between their sighted counter parts.

This is in line with the library's policy of providing equal access to information to all its users irrespective of race, creed or religion. In this instance, whether they could see or otherwise. The VIP service is dedicated to disseminating up-to-date information about access to computing and information technology for persons with disabilities.

Mail bag service

The mail bag service can be considered an extension of the VIP service. Targeted at those who are house bound, these services enable users to enjoy the facilities of the library without leaving the comfort of their homes. The Penampang Branch houses and run the MailBag service. Currently there are 43 registered users. This service enable registered users to request and receives audiocassettes including talking books through the mail. Returns of materials are also through the mail. This special service is provided with the co-operation of the Pos Malaysia where neither the library nor the users have to pay postage for the items sent. Although this service is available state wide, the number of registered users is still considered small. Once the collection is upgraded and expanded, the library will embark on an aggressive promotion campaign so that more people will be able to enjoy this service.

S.K. Pendidikan Khas, Pekan Tuaran

This is a special primary school for the blind and visually impaired children ranging from the age of 7 to 14 years old. In 1999, the total student population is only 21, only half the full capacity. With 12 teachers, four of who are trained specially to teach blind and visually impaired students; this is the only school in Sabah catering for the blind and or visually impaired students. However a pilot project stared in 1999 saw 5 visually impaired secondary students incorporated into the normal secondary school in a nearby Tuaran Secondary school, S.M. K. Badin. These students study with sighted students. There are no secondary schools in Sabah where students can go to at the moment if they want to continue their secondary education locally. When the needs arise in the future, perhaps then a secondary school will be built. Until then, students will have to go to peninsular Malaysia.

The S.K. Pendidikan Khas, Pekan Tuaran was started in 1983 with only 3 students and 2 resource persons. A year later, it moved to a small resource centre in Tuaran where the present building is located. It is a fully residential school where all meals are provided and separate sleeping quarters for boys and girls. They follow the normal primary school syllabus but also have personal hygiene lessons where these students are taught to live independently. Students come from all over Sabah. The number of students is very low. The main problem stems from parents. Parents of blind children are very protective and are reluctant to send their children to a residential school, thus unknowingly are depriving them of an education and a chance to make a living and live independently later in life. The stigma of not having a normal child is also encouraging parents not to send these children to school.

The current mobile library service includes the monthly visit to the schools in Pekan Tuaran. Similarly the Sandakan Regional Library also visit the Taman Cahaya Home in Sandakan. However, due to conflict of schedules and other problems, the Pekan Tuaran School visits the Sabah State Library instead. Programmes organised during these visits would start with story telling sessions and ends with the use of CD-ROM, computer or any of the equipment available in the Multi media library.

CHALLENGES

Social stigma

Even at this day and age, giving birth to a child that is not considered "normal" is still a stigma, including those born blind. Parents tend to be a little over protective. These children would be kept at home and looked after by the mother or an aunt or a close member of the family. All possible needs, including psychological and emotional needs of the child is attended to by the family.

One of the paramount tasks of the state government is to rid of this stigma. This is a difficult but not an impossible task. Efforts should be made in reaching out to parents who have children who are blind or with low vision. They should be educated and informed on how they still could lead a normal life despite their condition. They should also be made aware of the availability of education in their respective districts and state.

The special schools should have open house. This will provide an opportunity for parents of prospective students can come to visit and see for themselves the facilities that are available and the environment their child will be living and studying in. It will also allow them to meet and talk to the staff and also other parents during the visit. Most importantly this will enable them to see for themselves how these children settle in the school. This hopefully will dispel any misconception and fear they might have regarding the school and that they child will be properly looked after when they send them there.

Intellectual poverty

The right to education is the fundamental right of a child. It is the responsibility of the parents and ensures that that child be given that right. Without proper education, children will be deprive of the opportunity to an education, a proper job with good and steady income to enjoy the lifestyle that he choose. As it is poverty is already an issue that is constantly highlighted by policy makers in the country.

Another kind poverty that has never been mentioned but just as important is intellectual poverty. Those who are visually impaired are in worse of situation than their sighted counterparts. School facilities are barely adequate. Not all teachers assigned to this school are trained to teach the blind or visually impaired. The society in general and parents of the blind or visually impaired children in particular are still haunted by the stigma of the blind. The importance of attending school for those with visual disability have not been emphasized as reflected by the small number of students in the primary school and the non-existence of secondary schools in Sabah. The government together with parents and the Sabah Society of the blind to encourage public discussions and awareness programmes to educate members of the public regarding the importance of educating children irrespective of their handicapped. Affirmative actions should be taken to allow children and parents to look at education not as an alternative but as the only way out of their predicament.

Resources

The dearth of materials for the blind and those in the low vision category is a paramount problem for the library. Many of the materials are sources from outside the country. When the library acquires these materials, they are in the English language. The choice is also rather limited. Most of the materials are fiction titles although more non-fiction titles are being made available. Materials that are available are either in the form of talking books and music that includes popular, contemporary as well as traditional or folk music. The number of non-fiction titles are also very limited compared to the print media. Supplier of such materials is also scarce.

We look forward to locally produced titles that are in Malay rather than English. Malay being the national language will have a much wider audience. More users will be able to borrow these items. Many of our users do not have a good command of the English language. Having the materials in Malay will solve this problem. Locally produced materials would also mean our users could easily identify with the contents of the materials. There is no cultural element that is alien or deems unsuitable for our users. Another factor would be cost. It would mean cheaper materials and that would mean more materials could be acquired and more people will have access to these materials.

At present the collection is limited to only audiocassettes. These are available for loan in the library. There is also a collection of large print books but they are in the English language. The cassette collection is a combination of fiction and non-fiction titles including contemporary music, from both local as well as international artistes.

With the purchase of CD writer, the library could produce quality in house materials that have longer life span as compare to the conventional audiocassette tapes. The audio quality will be greatly improved.

What the library is planning is the introduction of recorded newspapers in the three major languages. The challenge here is to ensure the currency of the materials so that these recordings get to our intended target group before the materials are out of date. The availability of people reading the news articles is also crucial for the success of this programme.

Information on local government or policies pertaining to consumer affairs should be made available either in Braille, large print or other format to all, especially the blind and visually impaired persons.

Descriptive video is another source that the library should seriously consider. Not many visually impaired or blind people go to the movies and thus left out of the magic world of movies which is a big part of the everyday life of those sighted. Descriptive videos will enable those blinds and visually impaired access to popular feature films, classic movies as well as documentaries. The descriptive videos incorporate audio narration that describes action, settings, gestures and other visual elements. The narration is seamlessly applied to the movie soundtrack and in no way interferes with the film's natural dialog.

Although there are currently over 35 professional librarians employed by the Sabah State Library, unfortunately none of these professionals are trained to cater for the blind or visually - impaired. We need to ensure that our staff are properly trained and are exposed to the sensitivity of our users.

Equipment

In future the library plan to provide the necessary playback equipment to its registered users as long as it is required by the user and the equipment is being used on a regular basis. Alternatively, the necessary equipment could be loan to users on a request basis. This will mean a considerable amount of money will be allocated for the purchase of equipment.

FORCE Foundation

In April 1999, the director of the Foundation Mr. Matthijs Balfort met with the Sabah State Library to discuss cooperation to find means and ways to further meet the need of the print handicapped in Sabah in particular as well as those Asia region in general. This is in line with the aim of FORCE Foundation which is "to provide support - in the broadest sense - to organizations linked to International federation Library Association (IFLA) and which are concerned with the provision of appropriate media and information to any persons who need them due to visual or other handicap. "The result of the meeting was the setting up of the FORCE Foundation Secretariat - Asia region. The following are the terms and reference of the Secretariat: -

Activities of F(o)RCE Foundation includes the following:-

1. Set up a centre to collect information on the work of libraries for the blind, and distribute this information in various forms to the target group.
2. Organize regional workshops.
3. Set up regional knowledge centers in certain countries to provide training and support to those and neighboring countries.
4. To set up one centre each in the following region: French-speaking Africa, English-Speaking Africa, Latin America and Asian.
5. Set up interlibrary loanTerms of Reference of the secretariat :-
6. Offer assistance, upon request to set up or improve on existing library facilities, including training.

1. To function as the F(o)RCE Foundation administrative and training centre in the Asia region.
2. To execute training programmes that has been approved by the F(o)RCE Foundation.
3. To plan, coordinate, organize and conduct training sessions in the Asia region.
4. To identify potential participants in the Asia region for training to be conducted in the Secretariat.
5. To provide follow up technical supports and monitor the progress and development of participants that has attended training workshops in the Secretariat.
6. To maintain and safe keep all equipment belonging to the Secretariat.
7. To report to the F(o)RCE Foundation all matters pertaining to the activities of the Secretariat.
8. To submit an annual budget / activity list / annual report to the F(o)RCE Foundation.
9. To produce Braille and spoken book for the Asia region.

With the establishment of the secretariat or expert centre, the production of materials for the print handicapped as well as training for personnel directly involved in the provision of these materials are trained. Each year the Foundation would source experts and organize workshops or follow-up workshops in the expert centers.

Conclusion

The government has over the years try to be sensitive to the needs of the whole population. With the concept of caring society, one of the needs of the physically handicapped were addressed when the law regarding access to public buildings were reviewed to incorporate ramps at the entrance and interiors of the building to allow free and easy wheel chair access. Other friendly features such as toilets and telephone facilities in public buildings that could be used by the physically handicapped without difficulty and assistance.

The library has many functions and plays many roles in the social development of a community. From the provision of conventional services, some are branching out to meet the needs of different groups of the community, each with their own uniqueness. The library could assist the government in many areas. Individuals who could not use the standard printed media are also entitled to a high quality, free public library service with access to all information, books and materials perceived as useful. The role played by Sabah State Library is just the beginning. The potential and possibilities are endless. The library need to bring its collection and services closer to the blind and print disabled library users across Sabah. There is an enormous information gap between the sighted and those blind. And the top priority of the library is to bridge this gap.

This service is targeted to specific members of the community to enable them to fill leisure hours, continue studies or just keep in touch with the world.