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G2S Project Code: 2020-WA-86203
State: Washington
Fiscal Year: 2020

Grantee
Washington State Library

Project Director
Director Name: Danielle Miller
Director Phone: 206-615-1588
Director Email: danielle.miller@sos.wa.gov

General Information
Title: Washington Talking Book & Braille Library
State Project Code: 9142-2141-40
Start Date: 10/01/2019
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: The Washington Talking Book & Braille Library builds community and provides equal access to information and reading materials for Washington residents unable to read standard print. We provide free, statewide library services consisting of books and magazines in alternate formats by mail or download to meet the information, education, and recreational needs of visually impaired, blind, deaf-blind, physically disabled (such that it is difficult to hold a book or turn a page), and reading-disabled residents statewide who are eligible under the criteria of the U.S. Library of Congress, National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS). We also provide readers’ advisory, youth services programming, and local audio and braille book production for this audience.

State Goal: Goal 3. Serve all who cannot read standard print statewide

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$485,533.56

$1,159,091.00

$0.00

$1,644,624.56

Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
Education
Literacy

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Local Audio and Braille Book Production
Narrative: The Washington Talking Book & Braille Library has two local book production departments: The Braille Department and the Audiobook Production Department. Each department produces materials in alternate formats to meet the needs of our patrons with print impairments. Our local production focus on materials about the Pacific Northwest, set in the Pacific Northwest, or by Pacific Northwest authors. The books produced supplement the shared National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled collection and increase access to reading materials for our patrons and other patrons nationwide. Audiobooks books are made available on digital cartridge for physical circulation and uploaded to the national download site, BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download). Braille books are uploaded to BARD and embossed on demand, youth braille books are embossed and added to the circulating collection. In FY19 the Audiobook Production Department produced 74 new books and the Braille Department produced 27 new books.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Creation
Format: Digital

Quantity
Number of items digitized: 101
Number of items digitized and available to the public: 0
Number of physical items: 0
Number of open-source applications/software/systems: 0
Number of proprietary applications/software/systems: 0
Number of learning resources (e.g. toolkits, guides): 0
Number of plans/frameworks: 0

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: No
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: 0
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Custom audiobook cartridges
Narrative: We provide patrons access to customized reading services by providing multiple books on a single digital cartridge, making our entire collection available at all times. Patrons have access to an entire series on one cartridge, can make requests of works or authors in preferred order or combinations, and the circulation is tailored to their specific profiles.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Lending
Format: Physical

Quantity
Total number of items circulated: 15,742
Average number of items circulated / month: 1,750
Total number of ILL transactions: 0
Average number of ILL transactions / month: 0

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 0
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
For the Local Audio and Braille Book Production activity, we launched a remote proofreading program utilizing video conference calling, electronic braille, and refreshable braille displays. This had not been done before and was tested with an experienced proofreading team. The testing was very successful and resulted in quality proofing and team retention. For the custom audiobook activity, more than one book was loaded on a cartridge. This helped ensure that patrons unable to download books or wanting books that were frequently unavailable, were not receiving lesser service than other patrons or being impacted by the digital divide. This program was then expanded and opened up to all library patrons. This involved readers’ advisory and a new circulation model for some patrons, while ensuring they receive the quantity and types of books they desire.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The success of the remote braille proofreading allowed us to retain an expert team when one member was moving, add another team using that modality, and has allowed us to keep our braille proofreading and production going during the pandemic when we are otherwise not able to have volunteers at the library. Our expansion of the custom book cartridge program gives valuable data on how patrons handle working with more than one book on a cartridge. We learned how readers’ advisors can work with patrons to customize cartridges. We also found our circulation system can work with customized service queues. These are all important findings as we switched to a complete duplication on-demand, or an all customized circulation model in October 2020. We believe this shift in circulation model will have positive implications for readers’ advisory, shipping and circulation, and readers’ services.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Through the course of the piloting of custom book cartridges, WTBBL learned that communication with patrons and having good book request lists is very important. It also became clear that some patrons are more comfortable only handling one book at a time. The multiple books on a cartridge model was difficult for them.
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 Narrative

Project Tags: Talking Book, Braille, Print Disabled