Activity Details
Title: Books in Specialized Formats
Narrative: TBP maintains a collection of large print books for its patrons' use. NLS does not provide large print books to any network library, so the funds for purchasing these books must come from the regional library's own budget. Patrons who use large print materials are not necessarily eligible to use NLS materials, but most people who read large print on a regular basis do have some form of visual impairment that allows them to come into the program and use all services. Staff has found large print materials to be useful in coaxing reluctant potential patrons into signing up for the program.
TBP also uses LSTA funds to supplement the printed braille books provided by NLS; NLS generally provides braille books produced in conjunction with the production of an audio recording of the same titles, so TBP uses LSTA funds to purchase other braille materials--especially children's books--which will not be provided by NLS.
TBP purchased 2,557 books for this collection; approx. 628 with LSTA funds.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical
Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 0
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 628
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 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: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Activity Details
Title: Digital Inclusion
Narrative: While the digital talking book machine (DTBM) was a major step forward and is being used by most NLS patrons, the BARD service represents a quantum leap and has been enthusiastically embraced by many patrons; approximately one in five TBP patrons is now using BARD. In SFY2023, patrons downloaded 291,717 items from BARD.
TBP's Public Awareness Coordinator educated patrons, service providers, and librarians about TBP and about BARD. Virtual outreach meetings were also conducted with institutions for informational purposes. TBP staff working in the program's call center also provide in-depth technical support for patrons who wish to use BARD. A typical phone call may last 30 minutes or more, with staff helping patrons figure out how the flash drives work, how to navigate through the download process, or how to locate and play multiple books on their playback equipment.
Since many patrons still do not have adequate access to computer equipment or the necessary bandwidth to download, TBP outreach staff concentrated efforts on educating library staffs in the uses of BARD and encouraging these staffs to welcome TBP patrons into their libraries. Hopefully, patrons will have better access to BARD materials, and libraries will be able to bring new patrons into their libraries and increase their usage and traffic statistics. LSTA funds are used to cover the travel for outreach staff and the printing costs of materials that help explain BARD. In addition, the Public Awareness Coordinator can certify applications for TBP and its services, people to become patrons while presentations about TBP and its services are still fresh in their minds.
TBP serves approximately 25,946 patrons across the state. Most patrons use the DTBM, while approximately 40 percent of patrons are also signed up for the BARD service. 265 patrons use the Zoomax refreshable braille eReader. Approximately 46 percent of patrons are age 60 or older, with close to 15 percent of patrons age 85 or older. For the first time in many years, our average ages is below 60 years old. Sixty-one percent of patrons are blind or visually-impaired. Veterans make up 4 percent of the patron base. Patrons live in most Texas counties, with 60 percent of patrons living in the five largest metropolitan areas of Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, and Fort Worth.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Virtual
Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 30
Number of presentations/performances administered: 14
Average number in attendance per session: 40
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: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General
Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 0
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Activity Details
Title: Circulation
Narrative: TBP circulates the collections of audio books, Braille, and large print items, as well as all the playback equipment and accessories provided by NLS, which are housed off-site at the Circulation facility. The facility serves as the home to the digital download machine and functions as the distribution center for mailing materials to patrons and receiving these items back again.
Items circulated close to 933,000 times this program year.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
Activity: Content
Mode: Lending
Format: Physical
Quantity
Total number of items circulated: 932,375
Average number of items circulated / month: 77,770
Total number of ILL transactions: 65
Average number of ILL transactions / month: 5
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: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
