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Funding and governance of library and information services for visually impaired people: international case studies

Part2:Country studies

UK

The view from the user's perspective

This section was not answered by most UK respondents, perhaps reflecting the uncoordinated situation. The responses here reflect the public libraries' view.

Work of fiction

This could well be provided by a number of agencies including libraries, voluntary groups or national charitable organisations. It could also be in a variety of formats but probably not all available at one site.

New work of fiction

New works of fiction are generally more difficult to find in alternative formats. Larger organisations such as the National Library for the Blind are able to provide some materials at dual publication dates but for public libraries this is not possible due to the non availability of large print in simultaneous publication.

Reference work

Reference works are difficult for public libraries to cope with in alternative formats and most would signpost customers to organisations such as RNIB or NLB - electronic information has made it easier to cope with this kind of request these days, although even this is not without its challenges due to digital rights problems.

Newspaper

Libraries can sometimes provide local access to newspapers but this is much rarer. This tends again to be the preserve of the National Talking Newspapers organisation and the RNIB/NLB.

Magazine

Libraries don't tend to be able to deal with this kind of request and can only help by signposting at present. This tends again to be the preserve of the National Talking Newspapers organisation and the RNIB/NLB.

School textbook

Again, difficult for public libraries to cope with this ? tends to be dealt with by specialist organisations like NLB or RNIB.

Children's book

Some materials are bought as dual language or tactile materials and large print. By far the most materials are produced by the National Charitable organisations.

Scientific journal and academic book

Again, difficult for public libraries to cope with this ? tends to be dealt with by specialist organisations like NLB or RNIB.

User perspective - higher education

Academic books, textbooks

A user would approach the enquiry desk, named special needs support staff member, or via electronic request submission, or RNIB prime contact, other libraries if item held in required format. The range of formats available depends on requirement and is sourced accordingly.

A reference work - initial identification of location source via an online catalogue. If the item is in stock, the following then might occur:

• Temporary loan of the item for use with specialist equipment or for someone to read the item to the user (immediate availability for collection or postal delivery)
• temporary access to electronic version sourced if possible
• Large print copy of the section made by the library (posted or electronically transmitted)
• Request for format version applied for to RNIB ? Check is made to see if a loanable version in requested format exists elsewhere (post or electronic notification item is available to collect or instructions for the item to be sent to user clarified)

Rare research material requiring transcription is extremely difficult to source as these items are usually held in national collections including closed or restricted access.