ERIC ED375836: Michigan Network of Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. 1993 Revised Standards for Subregional Libraries.

40 Pages·1993·0.85 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
IR 055 212
ED 375 836
Michigan Network of Libraries for the Blind and
TITLE
Physically Handicapped. 1993 Revised Standards for
Subregional Libraries.
Michigan Library, Lansing.
INSTITUTION
PUB DATE
93
NOTE
40p.
Non-Classroom Use (055)
PUB TYPE
Guides
EDRS PRICE
MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage.
Audio Equipment; Audiotape Recordings; *Blindness;
DESCRIPTORS
Braille; Financial Support; Guidelines; Library
Administration; Library Circulation; Library
Personnel; *Library Services; Networks; *Physical
Disabilities; Policy; Program Evaluation; *Special
Libraries; *Standards; *State Libraries; State
Programs
*Michigan; Standard Setting
IDENTIFIERS
ABSTRACT
In November 1991, the State Librarian (Michigan)
established a committee to review and revise'the standards of service
for the blind and physically handicapped. These revised standardt
define the general responsibilities of Michigan subregional libraries
to their regional libraries and their borrowers. Responsibilities
cover basic services such as the provision of informational and
recreational books and magazines in special format along with the
necessary audio playback equipment, accessories, and materials.
Regional libraries are directed to conduct annual assessments to
determine if the minimum standards are being met. General
responsibilities of the state library to the network of libraries for
the blind and physically handicapped concern funding, reporting
procedures, liaison, collections, and marketing. The regional
libraries have similar responsibilities to subregional libraries,
which, in turn, nave standards that assure uniform quality services
to users. These encompass:
(1) compiling statistical (readership,
circulation, and machine inventories) and evaluative (assessment of
subregional libraries' services) reports;
(2) serving as liaison
between the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped (NLS), multistate centers, and subregional libraries, and
providing consultant, technical, and reference assistance to
subregional library staff;
(3) lending, maintaining, and repairing
disc and cassette machines and accessories; (4) providing support
related to library collections, including maintaining a complete NLS
(disc and cassette) collection as backup;
(5) providing marketing
services;
(6) providing telephone access to patrons; and (7)
coordinating volunteer efforts. Nine appendixes describe applicable
statutes, list libraries, and define policies. (SLD)
***********************************************************************
Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
from the original document.
***********************************************************************
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION
Office of Educational
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EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
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2
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
Senator Dick Posthumus, Senate Majority Leader, Chair
Representative Michael I. Griffin, Co-Alternate Chair
Representative Paul Hillegonds, Co-Alternate Chair
Senator John D. Cheny, Jr.
Representative Tom Alley
Senator Dan L. De Grow
Representative Richard Bandstra
Senator Arthur J. Miller, Jr.
Representative Frank M. Fitzgerald
Senator John D. Pridnia
Representative Pat Gagliardi
Senator John J. H. Schwarz
ALTERNATE MEMBERS
Senator Fred Dillingham
Senator Gilbert DiNello
Senator Michael O'Brien
Representative Jan Dolan
Representative Curtis Hertel
Elliott Smith, Secretary
LIBRARY OF MICHIGAN BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Frances H. Pletz, Chair
Joseph E. Garcia
Dr. Hiram L. Davis, Vice-Chair
Bonnie A. Gasperini
Margaret E. Auer
Hicks G. Griffiths
Representative Dianne Byrum
Linda McFadden
Chief Justice Michael Cavanagh
Representative Glenn Oxender
represented by William Haggerty
Senator Lana Pollack
Linda Cooley
Elliott Smith
Senator Vernon j. Ehlers
Hany P. Wu
James W. Fry, Secretary
LIBRARY OF MICHIGAN
James W. Fry, State Librarian
Jeffrey P. Johnson, Deputy State Librarian
Administrative Services, Donald C. Leaf, Director
Law Library Services, Susan Adamczak, Director
Library Development Services, Charles Wolfe, Director
Public Services, Susan E. Nearing, Director
Statewide Library Services, Sharon Granger, Director
Technical Services, Kathleen Merianteaux, Director
3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3
Preface
4
Foreward
5
Introduction
5
Background
5
History of Service
5
National Standards
6
Development of Standards for the Michigan Network
6
Funding
6
Federal Support
State Support
7
7
Local Support
7
Policies and Procedures
8
General Responsibilities
General Responsibilities of the Library of Michigan to the Michigan
A.
8
Network of Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
9
General Responsibilities of Regional Libraries to Subregional Libraries
B.
Minimum and Ideal Standards for Subregional Libraries
11
11
Liaison
A.
11
Staff
B.
12
Registration/Updating Borrower Files
C.
13
Circulation
D.
13
Machine Lending
E.
13
Facilities
F.
14
Collections
G.
15
H.
Marketing
15
Borrower Contact
I.
15
J.
Volunteers
1
4
Appendices
Federal and State Statutes
16
A.
Michigan Regional and Subregional Libraries
B.
17
Library of Michigan Service for the Blind and
C.
Physically Handicapped Loan Policy
18
Wayne County Regional Library for the Blind and
D.
20
Physically Handicapped Loan Policies
Library of Michigan Service for the Blind and Physically
E.
Handicapped Collection Development Policy
22
Wayne County Regional Library for the Blind and
F.
Physically Handicapped CollectiJn Development Policy
24
Library of Michigan Service for the Blind and Physically
G.
Handicapped Interlibrary Loan Policy and Procedures
26
H.
Wayne County Regional Library for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped Interlibrary Loan Policy
30
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
I.
Sub lending Agency Service Agreement for Sound Reproducers
and Other Reading Equipment
31
J.
American Library Association, Revised Standards of Service for the Library
of Congress Network of Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped,
1984, Table 2, Guidelines for Determining Minimum Space Requirements
35
Glossary
36
2
Preface
In November 1991 the State Librarian established a committee to review and revise the 1985
Standards for Library of Michigan Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Net-
work Libraries. Committee members were:
Rebecca Cawley, Director, Northland Library Cooperative, Alpena
Suzanne Dees, Director, Superior land Library Cooperative, Marquette
Carole Hund, Subregional Librarian, Oakland County Library for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped, Farmington Hills
Pat Klemans, Regional Librarian, Wayne County Regional Library for the Blind and
Physically Handicapped, Wayne
Elizabeth Winsche, Director, Muskegon County Library, Muskegon
Stephen E. James (representing the State Librarian), Statewide Library Programs Direc-
tor, Library of Michigan, Lansing
Edith Darling Heezen (recorder), Patron Services Coordinator, Library of Michigan Service
for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Lansing
Margaret Wolfe (chair), Administrator, Library of Michigan Service for the Blind and
Physically Handicapped, Lansing
The committee convened on 28 January 1992. During February through May, committee
members reviewed and revised several drafts of these standards. The final draft was then distrib-
uted to network fiscal agents, directors and librarians in May 1992. Comments were received
from this group and incorporated into the final document.
3
Foreward
1992 Revised Standards define the general responsibilities Michigan subregional libraries
have to their regional library and to their borrowers. The standards cover basic services as pro-
vided by the subregional library. Basic services refer to the provision of informational and recre-
ational books and magazines in special format and accompanying audio playback equipment,
accessories and materials. These services are provided to adults, young adults and children who
are unable to use standard printed materials because of a visual or physical handicap.
These standards are intended to provide guidance and to encourage uniform quality service to
blind and physically handicapped Michigan residents. Subregional libraries should meet minimum
standards. Every attempt should be made to meet ideal standards. As part of its oversight and
coordinating responsibility, the regional library will conduct annual assessments to determine if
minimum standards are maintained and the extent to which each library achieves ideal standards.
Achieving minimum or ideal standards does not affect federal or state funding.
MMMMAMMNINI
4
Introduction
Background
History of Service
for blind and physically handicapped
A free national program of braille and recorded materials
National Library Service (NLS) for the Blind and Physically Handi-
persons is administered by the
by federal and state statutes (Ap-
capped, Library of Congress. Network libraries are regulated
who grant permission to use copy-
pendix A). With the cooperation of authors and publishers
and magazines in braille and on re-
righted works, NLS selects and produces full-length books
network of regional
corded disc and cassette. Reading materials are distributed to a cooperating
eligible borrowers. Reading materials
and subregional (local) libraries where they are circulated to
libraries as free matter for the blind
and playback machines are sent to borrowers and returned to
1931 k- serve blind adults, the
and physically handicapped. Established by an act of Congress in
include children, in 1962 to provide music materials and
program was expanded in 1952 to
that prevent the reading of
again in 1966 to include individuals with other physical impairments
standard print.
which form the Michigan
Michigan has two regional libraries and eleven subregional libraries
B). The two regional
network of libraries for the blind and physically handicapped (Appendix
Physically Handicapped which
libraries are: the Library of Michigan Service for the Blind and
all of Michigan except
provides braille service to all of Michigan and recorded book service to
and Physically Handi-
Wayne County; and the Wayne County Regional Library for the Blind
residents only.
capped which provides recorded book service to Wayne County
Clinton Township, Detroit,
The eleven subregional libraries are located in Alpena, Ann Arbor,
and Traverse City.
Farmington Hills, Flint, Grand Rapids, Marquette, Muskegon, Port Huron
physically handicapped
Subregional libraries provide recorded book service to eligible blind and
disc and audio cassette
individuals and institutions at the local level. They lend books recorded on
the selection of books; regis-
tape and the equipment bn which to play them; assist borrowers in
eligible borrowers as possible;
ter new borrcwers; publicize services to encourage use by as many
special interest groups
enlist assistance and support for services from civic groups, volunteers,
the subregional library
and the news media; forward requests to the regional library for material
and to become involved in
cannot supply; and encourage borrowers to use local library services
regular library activities.
National Standards
for the
Development of national standards began in 1957 when the American Foundation
which included a
Blind published Francis R. St.John's Survey of Library Services for the Blind
Association (ALA) Round Table on Library
set of basic standards. In 1961, the American Library
cooperatively published
Service to the Blind and the Library of Congress Division for the Blind
Service to the Blind and
Standards for Regional Libraries for the Blind. In 1977, the Library
Division of ALA
Physically Handicapped Section of Health and Rehabilitative Library Services
completed and ap-
appointed a committee to draft new standards. The committee's work was
3
- 5 -
proved by the Board of Directors of the newly organized
ALA division, the Association of Spe-
cialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA)
in 1979. The Standards of Service for the
Library of Congress Network of Libraries for the
Blind and Physically Handicapped
was
published by ALA in 1979. In the fall of 1982
ALA/ASCLA established a project for the revi-
sion of the 1979 standards; in the
summer of 1984, Revised Standards and Guidelines of
Service for the Library of Congress Network of
Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handi-
capped was issued by ALA based
on several years' experience with the former standards. The
Revised Standards (1984) provide the
current national guidelines for service. There is
a plan to
begin review of the Revised Standards in 1992.
Michigan's two regional libraries adhere
to the ALA 1984 Revised Standards. A NLS net-
work consultant visits each regional library
on a biennial basis and prepares a written report
based on observations and documents supplied
by the regional library. The report
uses the
Revised Standards as the basis for its findings
and recommendations.
Development of Standards for the
Michigan Network
Because administrations, libraries,
community needs and local funding are different for each
subregional, each member of the Michigan network
offers a unique service, tailored to the host
community. In an attempt to
ensure that all network libraries provide uniform, quality service
to
patrons in the service area, a committee
was convened in 1983 to draft statewide standards.
These standards were developed following
ALA's Standards of Service for the Library
of
Congress Network of Libraries for the Blind
and Physically Handicapped, 1979. On 28
September 1983, Standards for Lansing,
Michigan Subregional Libraries for the Blind
and
Physically Handicapped
were presented to and accepted by the Michigan Legislative Council.
The approved standards
were published and distributed statewide.
The Michigan Standards
were reviewed and revised in 1984 and again in 1985. In FY 1992
network libraries were eligible to apply
for service contracts using Library Service
and Construc-
tion Act (LSCA) Title I funds. Contract
monies can be used to fund daily operational
activities.
This new source of funding, in
conjunction with the automation of circulation
and patron pro-
cessing activities at network libraries with the
help of LSCA funds, made it
necessary to review
and revise the 1985 revised standards.
The 1992 Revised Standards for the
Michigan Network
of Libraries for the Blind and
Physically Handicapped
were presented to and accepted by the
Michigan Legislative Council
on April 28, 1993. The 1992 Revised Standards will be
reexam-
ined after ALA revises the national
standards, i.e. 1984 Revised Standards for
the Library of
Congress Network of Libraries for the Blind
and Physically Handicapped.
Funding
The Library of Michigan Service for the
Blind and Physically Handicapped
is entirely funded
by the State of Michigan. The Wayne
County Regional and the eleven subregional
libraries for
the blind and physically handicapped
are supported with a combination of federal, state and local
funds.
Federal Support
The National Library Service (NLS) for
the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the
Library of
Congress provides each library in the national
network with materials and equipment, reference
and bibliographic support, publications
and consultant and technical assistance. NLS
does not
provide any direct financial support.
6
The Library of Michigan has awarded LSCA Title I grant funding to network libraries since
1978. These discretionary grants are awarded to assist network libraries in developing new and
innovative programs and services. During FY 1990 and FY 1991, $477,142 of LSCA Title I
funds were expended for the implementation of the Reader Enrollment and Delivery System
(READS) in network libraries. READS is a software package developed by NLS which automates
circulation and record keeping activities for NLS network libraries. Use of this system enables
network libraries to provide improved services to registered borrowers. Beginning in FY 1992,
LSCA Title I service contracts, with amounts based on the number of persons being served, were
awarded to network libraries to support daily operations.
State Support
The Library of Michigan has worked to secure state funds for support of network library ser-
vices since 1983. The Library of Michigan Board of Trustees recommended a five-year phase-in
to achieve full state funding, proposed at a level of $688,000, at their 9 March 1984 meeting
for the network. In FY 1984, the Michigan Legislature included a line item in the Library or
Michigan's budget for network library services for the first time, with an appropriation of
$140,000. These monies were distributed equally among the Wayne County Regional Library
for the Blind and Physically Handicapped and existing subregional libraries, excluding the Library
of Michigan Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. The appropriation was doubled in
FY 1989. Subsequently, the level of funding has varied in direct proportion to State of Michigan
budget changes.
In October 1989, the Library of Michigan published Information At Risk: Michigan Libraries
in the 1990's. This advisory report was prepared by the Library of Michigan Board of Trustees
Task Force on Interdependency and Funding. A recommendation in the report defined adequate
state funding for subregional libraries serving Michigan's blind and handicapped citizens as an
appropriation of one million dollars. Since the report was published, the Library of Michigan has
annually asked the Michigan Legislature for an appropriation of one million dollars for subre-
gional services.
Local Support
Federal and state funding is not intended to supplant local financial support. Network libraries
are therefore encouraged to seek substantive local support for the service. This has been
achieved in varying degrees throughout Michigan.
Policies and Procedures
Michigan's two regional libraries have developed written policy statements for loaning materi-
als to borrowers, for interlibrary loan and for collection development (Appendices C through H).
Subregional libraries may adopt their regional library's policies, or, with the ap-
proval of their regional library, develop local policies.
NLS provides each network library with a Network Library Manual. This manual gathers in
one place background and procedural descriptions of the NLS programs and its network of
cooperating libraries. It is meant to serve as a reference source for network staff when policy and
procedure questions arise and as a referral and resource guide for questions unanswered in the
manual and requiring clarification from NLS staff members. All Michigan libraries for the blind
and physically handicapped have access to and rely upon this federal manual.
It is strongly recommended that each library in the Michigan network develop a
local procedures manual.