The Library Initiative

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Does print disability include people who have not learnt to read as well as those who are vision impaired?

Answer : The Program guidelines from FaHCSIA advise " People with print disability are those who are unable to read standard print with ease due to vision impairment, a physical disability or a learning disability" (Guideline 2.2 Part C).

Question 2: May a Regional library or central managing library respond to the EOI on behalf of the libraries for which it is responsible.

Answer : Yes this is a perfectly valid form of response.

Question 3: What definition of "print handicapped" is being used?

Answer : The definition of clients services by this initiative is provided by FaHCSIA through their program guidelines. "The target group is people with print disability. People with print disability are those who are unable to read standard print with ease due to vision impairment, a physical disability or a learning disability."

Question 4: Public libraries serve print handicapped people through their home library service (housebound clients) as well as able bodied print handicapped clients (who visit the library). Will an application be competitive if it only addresses home library clients?

Answer : Applications will be assessed on many factors. As the vision of FaHCSIA is to have people with a print disability more involved in the broader community our focus will be to seek solutions to that issue. Unfortunately the program is unable to address all needs.

Question 5: How will the program work in cooperation with Vision Australia's library services?

Answer : This program will be quite separate to the Vision Australia program and is designed to reach as broad a community as possible

Question 6: One of the major issues with playback devices is the availability of content for the devices. The home library service working group members have found that this varies greatly between devices and the e-content systems available in libraries (there are compatibility and DRM issues). Will a range of devices be available through the project?

Answer : The aim is to provide a limited range of devices. We wish to provide choice but also obtain the benefits of volume purchasing

Question 7: Some playback technologies are very labour intensive to lend in a public library environment (eg. Devices that need batteries and disposable headphones). Should applications indicate why a particular device is requested / recommended?

Answer : Applications should not specify a preferred device. The selection of devices, content and support is a separate process and Libraries which participate will be able to choose only from that approved product set.

Question 8: What outcomes are envisaged for "greater social inclusion and participation in the community"?

Answer : The Library Initiative is just one of many programs for people with disability that are delivered by FaHCSIA. FaHCSIA sees that public libraries play a valued role in strengthening communities and providing greater access to resources, services and information. Part of the evaluation process of the program will be to understand from individual participants whether their involvement enhanced their participation in the broad community and from the Library perspective whether their involvement increased their reach and support to members of the community with print disability.

Question 9: Do applications need to indicate how these outcomes will be measured / evaluated?

Answer : Applications will be enhanced by indicating how the involvement of the Library will deliver these outcomes

Question 10: How will the disability of a patron be measured or determined by the library?

Answer : FaHCSIA are currently considering whether their current guidelines are appropriate to this Initiative. We will post advice as soon as it is available from them.

Question 11: 2. Q12 of the selection criteria states that "libraries will also need to support and participate in a User Survey to measure the success of the initiative ." - does this mean that the library as well as users will be surveyed and if so, who is preparing the patron/customer survey - is this something that we will have to undertake - there are also questions related to privacy etc.

Answer : It is intended that both libraries and users will be surveyed to evaluate the success of the initiative. The surveys will be prepared by ALIA. This process is not expected to commence until August/September 2011.

Question 12: Q3: And related to above, according to the FAQs Q6: "Part of the evaluation process of the program will be to understand from individual participants whether their involvement enhanced their participation in the broad community and from the Library perspective whether their involvement increased their reach and support to members of the community with print disability." - this suggests that a focus group, exit survey etc will be used could you please provide details.

Answer : The precise mechanisms for evaluation have not yet been determined.

Question 13: Q4. The information provided discusses the need for libraries and participants to be available to provide feedback on the program/initiative - does this include a schedule of reporting to FaHCSIA including statistical analysis? ie do successful libraries need to provide quantitative measurement of new members participating in the playback device initiative, along with measurement of issues via collection code on an ongoing basis? Is this a requirement of participation in the initiative.

Answer : Our intention here is to provide reporting to FaHCSIA as required in our agreements. The reporting information (excluding the evaluation process) requires us to be able to provide the following information which will need to be provided by participating libraries at three different points in time:

• Number of library staff trained in use of the devices
• Number of times the playback devices have been borrowed or utilised in library
• Number of people who participated in the program

Question 14: How will the disability of a patron be measured or determined by the library?

Answer : The playback devices will only be available to people with print disability. People with print disability are those who are unable to read standard print with ease due to vision impairment, a physical disability or a learning disability. If libraries are uncertain, then they should ask the person what assistance they require in the use of the device as this would vary dependent upon the nature of the print disability.

The Department does not wish to make this program complicated for libraries or their patrons and will not require libraries to obtain medical proof of a disability prior to honouring a loan request.

The Initiative should be promoted specifically as being for patrons with print disability.

Question 15: Are libraries required to provide matching funds for participation in the Initiative?

Answer : There is no requirement for fund matching from libraries. This initiative does not provide any funds for libraries. It will provide the devices, access to content, support and training to library staff.