by Paul Edwards
The world of literacy and libraries is far more complex than it has ever been. As blind people we face more and more challenges to our ability to read what libraries have to offer. The law calls for public libraries to be open to our needs. Libraries as we traditionally have thought of them are disappearing and most public libraries are now much more than just a repository for printed materials. There are challenges everywhere to the ability of blind people to access what we might call the new library. E-books are proliferating but most are inaccessible. Huge information data bases are being linked to our public libraries but the file formats often make what we want to read inaccessible. The catalog interfaces are becoming more and more graphical. Libraries routinely now have books on tape, books on CD, books that are downloadable onto memory cards and periodicals that are only available on microfiche or online. How are we as blind people to find our way through this maze?
The answer is join Library Users of America and help us make sure that the directions public libraries go acknowledge that we, as blind people, have as much right to access the information they are making available as do patrons with sight. We need you to help us!
NLS is at a crossroad, too. NLS is moving toward a conversion to digital books. What will the new machine look like? What kinds of features should it have? NLS is looking at choosing a portion of its collection to convert to digital format. Which books should be converted?
You can be a part of these decisions, too. Join Library Users of America and let your voice be heard. We need members; we need ideas; and we need to work to be sure that the voice of the majority of readers is heard as NLS makes hard decisions.
We need you and you, as an NLS reader, need us too. Together we can help shape the future of library services to blind people through NLS.
How will braille fit into the information future? How can we make certain that libraries continue to value and promote braille reading? The number of braille readers is tumbling downwards and there may come a time when it is simply not economical for libraries to buy it or produce it. What can we do? Join Library Users of America and become a part of the solution, not a part of the problem.
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic has already begun to distribute books on CD. What kind of player do you need? How can we make sure that the new formats meet our needs? Bookshare also produces books that can be downloaded. How will we help resources like this one to expand? There is so much to do and, right now, there are just not enough of us to do it. We need you to join us and help!
Literacy is something that every blind person values perhaps more than our sighted peers who often take books and magazines for granted. In the past, we have had few choices to make. There was never enough to read. Now that is not the case. There is more out there than any of us could possibly read. The trouble is that we can't read a lot of what's out there. Library Users of America is the affiliate set up to mediate the information age.
Unless all of us make clear, reasoned demands for change, we will be left behind and the torrent of information that is sweeping down upon us will flow right over us.
To join Library Users of America (LUA) send your check payable to LUA for $12 to Pat Price, LUA Treasurer, 5707 Brockton Drive #302, Indianapolis, IN 46220-5481. If you reside in California, your dues are $15, which includes membership in the California LUA chapter. If you reside in Texas, your dues are $14, which includes membership in the Texas LUA chapter.
We publish a newsletter edited by Tom Mitchell that comes out twice a year and is available on tape, via e-mail or in braille. When you join, let us know which version you want. Shape your own reading future and make sure that all of us can read in the future. LUA can help! Join us now and help make a difference!