Mark FreemanLibraries Manager
South Tyneside Council &
Chair, Share the Vision
IFLA P3 ConferenceMechelen 2009
Chief Librarian of South Tyneside Chair of SCL NE Chair of Share the Vision Twelve library authorities Voluntary sector partners
Passionate people, Passionate Places The most northerly region of England Roman and Christian Heritage The historic Border country The Industrial Powerhouse
Twelve Unitary Authorities Smallest English Region Two Urban areas, two Counties 225 libraries in the North East 13.2 million visits per annum 13.4 Million book issues per year 45.9 of the population use libraries
History of joint working Good examples of services for print disabled
people in the Region Close links with National organisations Proposal for a Regional project Two volunteers North East chosen
Society of Chief Librarians (SCL) The 12 Public Library Authorities Royal National Institute of Blind
People (RNIB) Calibre Audio Library Clearvision National Talking Newspapers and
magazines National Association of Local
Societies of Visually Impaired People (NALSVI)
Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA)
Share the Vision
Ultimately, to improve library information and reading services to blind and partially sighted people.
Increase the number of people who received the service.
To raise awareness of these services. To improve communication. To share best practice.
Develop the core library offer for blind and partially sighted people, in consultation with blind and partially sighted people.
Communicate effectively the library offer to all blind and partially sighted people regionally.
Ensure all new registered blind and partially sighted people are aware of the library offer.
Communicate effectively the library
offer to key organisations, agencies
and individuals
Develop the library offer to integrate
services for blind and partially sighted
people in the mainstream and
contribute to their independence
Develop models of service delivery
which are economically viable and
sustainable
Track and evaluate service
improvement
In kind contributions from participating members
Museums Libraries and Archives Council support
Share the Vision Seeking external funding Need for sustainability
Developing a better understanding of each other
Undertaking an audit of current relevant library service provision
Agreeing our aims and objectives
Regional “Offer” leaflet Fact-sheet (a handy guide to the pilot project) A Consultation Conference
50 blind and partially sighted participants Representatives from across the NE Range of ages Consultation session Demonstrations and presentations A real live Author! The chance to feed back
Working to increase availability of reading Reducing confusion over formats Aiding individual choice Improving access to buildings and services Linking beyond the Region Working on ways to extend events and
activities Keeping up the communication Telling the story
Outcomes will focus on Increasing the number of people
engaging with services Model for public library service
delivery Perception of improved services
to blind and partially sighted persons
Better choice/availability of reading materials in preferred formats
Effective training programmes More standard approaches to
software Integration of public library
services for blind and partially sighted people into the mainstream
Mark FreemanLibraries ManagerSouth Tyneside CouncilCentral LibraryPrince Georg SquareSouth ShieldsNE33 2PEUnited Kingdom
Telephone: +44 191 424 7880Email: [email protected]
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