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G2S Project Code: 2020-NJ-84966
State: New Jersey
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
New Jersey State Library, an affiliate of Thomas Edison State University

Project Director
Director Name: Adam Szczepaniak
Director Phone: 609-406-7179, x801
Director Email: aszczepaniak@njstatelib.org
General Information
Title: NJSL Talking Book and Braille Center
State Project Code:
Start Date: 07/01/2020
End Date: 06/30/2021
Abstract: Staff at the New Jersey State Library –Talking Book and Braille Center (NJSL TBBC) provided direct library services statewide to New Jersey’s print disabled population.  NJSL TBBC activities were enhanced by its partnerships with the Library of Congress’s National Library Services (NLS) for the Blind and Print Disabled.  NJSL TBBC functions as this program's regional library for the state. 
 
In 2020,TBBC produced digital books for all patrons who could not remotely download materials.  TBBC increased the number of audio titles on a digital cartridge to sixteen audio books.  A patron inserts the digital cartridge once with electronic books marks allowing multiple books to be read without losing the location in any book.  This efficient use of space along with immediate access to 100,000 audio books in the NLS collection was met with great satisfaction by TBBC patrons. 

The ability to download in-house was led by NLS staff creating a device that automatically downloaded audio books on to digital cartridges (The Guttenberg Process) and linking the patron orders to their integrated library system (Web Reads).

In 2020, TBBC was one of four regional libraries selected for a pilot project to evaluate the capabilities of an electronic Braille reader. 

It is to be noted that in the midst of a pandemic, TBBC continued its services to patrons without disruption. The reason for this lies with the partnerships with NLS and the regional libraries of Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh) and Connecticut.  Working with these libraries and NLS, TBBC was able to route the duplication of audiobooks for an extended period of time.

The pandemic had additional impacts of TBBC beginning in March, 2020.  TBBC working with the state library’s information technology division (IT) continued offsite access to its ILS system (Web Reads) which allowed all patron services to continue.  IT also developed a software patch that allowed telephone calls from TBBC staff's personal phones to appear as TBBC on a patron’s phone.

TBBC assisted institutions and libraries remotely including support for the institutions and libraries to download audio books from BARD.  TBBC conducted updated training for the public libraries whose staff have been certified to download audiobooks for patrons. There are over 80 public libraries offering this services.  There was also an initiative to update an additional 100 public libraries that are registered with TBBC.


A separate cooperative project involved the electronic Braille reader (eBraille reader) that TBBC is piloting with the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled of the Library of Congress.  These eBraillers fit into the palm of a person’s hand and can download books and magazines from NLS’s BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) as well as textbooks from Benetech’s Bookshare service. 


State Goal: Lifelong Learning
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$1,237,055.00
$217,286.00
$0.00
$1,454,341.00
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
Outreach & Partnerships
Systems & Technologies
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Library Service to Print Disabled Readers in New Jersey
Narrative:

The New Jersey State Library – Talking Book and Braille Center (NJSL TBBC) provided library services by mail, in person, and by computerized download to eligible New Jersey residents. NJSL TBBC maintains the State’s largest collections of books and magazines in Braille and audio formats. Free access to informational and recreational titles in Braille, digital audio and large print books is provided to children and teenagers. Access is also available to magazines; magazine issues are sent directly to patrons from The Library of Congress’ National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS).  

TBBC administered, promoted and supported Newsline in partnership with the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired(CBVI).  Newsline offers access to more than 500 publications including 4 New Jersey newspapers, emergency alerts, and job listings.  Newsline is accessed by iOS mobile Apps, phone, Amazon Alexa, website of the National Federation of the Blind and by email.

 

NJSL TBBC customers benefitted from a variety of electronic resources to listen to books and magazines.  NLS has a growing database (BARD) of over 128,598 books and 19,734 magazine issues.  As a result of the Marrakesh Treaty with other nations, BARD has books and magazines in over 30 foreign languages.

 

NJSL TBBC has 3,357 registered accounts in the BARD database.  There were 3,782 mobile devices registered for TBBC patrons. This includes commercial products from Apple as well as Kindle and a number of android devices.

 

Total audiobooks and magazines downloaded during this period was 85,157.  

In partnership with CBVI, NJSL TBBC loans assistive technology to CBVI clients statewide. NJSL TBBC continues to work very closely with public libraries across New Jersey with 154 public libraries with registered accounts with NJSL TBBC and 80 of these libraries  completed BARD training by NJSL TBBC staff, learning to download books and magazines for library patrons in the program.  

TBBC circulation on cartridges was a total of 354, 022 books.  Using NLS’s Guttenberg duplication process, 353,604 audio books and 418 books in Braille were placed on cartridges.  



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: 354,000
Average number of items circulated / month: 29,500
Total number of ILL transactions: 0
Average number of ILL transactions / month: 0


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
50-59 years
60-69 years
70+ years
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: 297
Academic Libraries: 59
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 2000
Other: 0
Activity Details
Title: Braille and Audio Reading download instruction
Narrative: NJSL TBBC offers instruction in how to use NLS's Braille and Audio Download (BARD) service

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

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 42
Number of presentations/performances administered: 7
Average number in attendance per session: 10


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
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: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 297
Academic Libraries: 59
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 2000
Other: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
The TBBC program with NLS allows staff at 80 public libraries in New Jersey to download digital books and magazines from the BARD database. The New Jersey State Library has contractual service agreements with over 160 public libraries across New Jersey to serve as “Deposit Libraries” in the NLS program. The NJSL TBBC has also signed agreements with New Jersey’s Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired and works collaboratively with the New Jersey’s Department of Veteran Affairs and the United States Veterans’ Administration. Within the NLS program, the sites are known as deposit accounts. In addition, TBBC is working on a collaborative project, the Library Equal Access Program (LEAP), with the NJ Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Advancing Opportunities and 10 public libraries to train those 55 and older with a change in vision on assistive technology on computers and iPads purchased by CBVI for these LEAP public libraries. TBBCs partnership with CBVI has identified 10 public libraries to participate in LEAP. These libraries have been supplied with between three and eight fully accessible workstations and six Apple ipads each. TBBC began a pilot program with NLS to field test an electronic Braille reader developed by NLS. TBBC was one of four regional libraries selected for this project; it has distributed over 100 units to patrons of the library.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Library service to the state’s print-disabled population is centered now on the local public library. Because of BARD training, staff can assist patrons with downloading, trouble shooting playback equipment, improve their homebound service and offer opportunities to print disabled patrons to come into the local library as use assisted technologies for themselves. In addition, CBVI, in collaboration with TBBC, has created assistive technology learning centers at 8 public libraries for those in New Jersey 55 and older with a change of vision. Computers with assistive software and iPads have been purchased for the libraries and are available to the general public. CBVI instructors provide onsite classes for the accessible features in the Apple products and computer software packages for the visually impaired.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
The print disabled population is growing and is a significant segment of New Jersey’s population. Cornell University's Disability Statistics website (disabilitystatistics.org) estimates that 10 per cent of New Jersey's population has at least one disability identified by the program. While not every disability is eligible for services with this program, the site provides a look at the population that can benefit from TBBC services. Educating and training staff at the public libraries and state/federal agencies is a key first step. A second is continuing support and communication not only to them but also to patrons. Making existing patrons as well as potential patrons aware of the services at their local public library helps match patrons to their libraries while helping the libraries feel comfortable in outreach to this population. Also, libraries that offer TBBC's services in their community improve their ADA compliance. In addition, the creation of assistive technology learning centers at public libraries through the LEAP program expands the role of libraries as learning centers for technology.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
No
Explain:

Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
No
Explain:

Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
No
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
No
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
No
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Third-Party
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Did you collect any media for the data:
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:
Exemplary: Yes
Exemplary NarrativeNJSL TBBC is establishes partnerships as a core method of providing an innovative range of services to people with print disabilities. Its notable accomplishments are the result of a creative and dedicated staff.
Project Tags: