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G2S Project Code: 2015-CT-75548
State: Connecticut
Fiscal Year: 2015
Grantee
Connecticut State Library

Project Director
Director Name: Gordon Reddick
Director Phone: 860-721-2021
Director Email: gordon.reddick@ct.gov
General Information
Title: Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
State Project Code:
Start Date: 10/01/2014
End Date: 09/30/2016
Abstract: The Connecticut State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (LBPH) provides for the special format reading and information needs of Connecticut residents who are blind, visually impaired, physically handicapped, or reading disabled.
 
The LBPH allows users with disabilities to maintain equal access to print information. The library lends to individual patrons as well as to libraries, schools, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. This year, there were 5,404 active patrons, and 712 new patrons were added to the rolls. This is the fifth consecutive year of growth in new patrons, reflecting the positive effects of the enhanced outreach program.

The LBPH provides reader's advisory and reference services in addition to lending its collection of Braille books and magazines, books on cassette tape, digital cartridges, and playback machines to qualifying individuals and organizations in Connecticut. Patrons can also access the NLS inventory online and download audio and Braille books directly from the internet. All services are free, including playback machines and postage, and eligible veterans receive priority service.


State Goal: Literacies and learning
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$570,547.00
$177,009.00
$0.00
$747,556.00
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Circulation and Reader Advisory
Narrative: LBPH staff duties include patron assistance, reader advisory, circulation duties, processing newly acquired digital books, collection maintenance, inventory control of playback machines, and interlibrary loan. LBPH staff administer patron accounts for the Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) system and assist patrons with the process of downloading books.

This year, the library added 3,278 new digital book titles.
 
The LBPH book duplication program produced over 500 books for patrons. Multiple-title digital cartridges are being produced, where about 10 books can be duplicated onto one cartridge. These cartridges will be able to hold entire book series or multiple books by the same author or on the same subject.

The staff promotes public awareness of the library's services through exhibits, presentations, tours (e.g., church disabilities committees, senior expos, state conventions, etc) and publications. Additionally, extensive efforts were made to contact all the nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities in the state to promote the program.


Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Lending
Format: Combined physical & digital


Quantity
Total number of items circulated: 177,155
Average number of items circulated / month: 14,763
Total number of ILL transactions: 200
Average number of ILL transactions / month: 17


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: Yes
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
Suburban
Rural
For what age groups: All Ages
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: Yes
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 51
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 7
School Libraries: 6
Other: 90
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important findings or outcomes from your project:
The latest patron survey showed that 97% of all patrons rate the LBPH service as good or better, and 75% of the patrons stated that they receive excellent service. Cassette books have been withdrawn as planned, as the migration to Braille and all-digital materials has been completed. Overall circulation is down by 2.8% because of this withdrawal of cassette books. The use of mobile devices continues to grow with 180 new patrons using the BARD mobile app – a 33% increase from the prior year. Circulation per patron fell slightly to 32.8 books per patron, down from 33.8 books in the prior year.
Please briefly describe importance of findings:
These outcomes add up to greater accessibility to reading materials by the blind and physically handicapped communities in Connecticut. Patrons are very satisfied with LBPH's program. Digital books are now the primary media: having been introduced in 2009, digital books and internet downloads now constitute 92% of the total circulation. Accessibility to reading materials has greatly increased because the entire collection is available for download and not just the limited number of books on digital cartridges. In recent years, the LBPH program has added a greatly improved playback machine, Braille and digital book downloads from the internet, and also the use of mobile device apps.
What methods did you use to determine your findings? Check all that apply:
Survey
Review of Administrative Data
Based on outputs, outcomes and/or other results, explain any significant lessons learned from these findings for either the SLAA or others in the LIS field:

Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort:
Yes: Due to retirement, one fewer position will be funded through LSTA.
Do you anticipate any change in the project's scope:
Yes: All cassette books have been withdrawn in FY16. The circulation of large print books as a new product is planned in FY17.
Do you anticipate any other changes in the project:
Yes: In addition to books from NLS, LBPH also receives digital books recorded by the Connecticut Volunteer Services for the Blind and Handicapped, Inc., which is the local in-state recording partner. CVSBH is an independent non-profit corporation made up of volunteers who record and produce up to 100 books per year.
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: LBPH, Talking Books