1. Obtaining textbooks in alternative formats: working from a reading list Paul Conway Information Adviser Sheffield Hallam University Learning and IT Services

2. Background December 2005: need for library policy on alternative formats perceived Pilot project agreed to support blind student throughout her course (first year Undergraduate criminology student) in accessing alternative formats of key texts i.e. essential or recommended reading Stronger links needed in this process between the library and Student Academic Services and Faculty tutors

3. Drafting a policy Draft policy statement –"it is the University's responsibility to ensure that material on a reading list is available in an appropriate format so that all students have equality of opportunity to access reading list materials" SHU students are ideally assessed by SRAC (Sheffield Regional Access Centre) and their Learning Contract produced well before the beginning of the academic year Tutor has time to let library have relevant reading list in case e-versions of key textbooks may be needed for blind or partially sighted students

4. Procedures Items required but not on reading lists: DSA Book fund? e-Books Scanning or digitising chapters Agree to obtain accessible e-copies of key textbooks recommended on reading lists

5. Contacting Publishers Details required: name of student, course, name of course tutor, year of study (occasionally), duration of course, including end date (occasionally) variables –cost –conditions –speed of response

6. Publishers' responses: Free of charge or cost of textbook With or without conditions/stipulations, faxed back to publisher: –strictly for use of named student –disk(s) must be destroyed after student finishes course e-mailed or made available for a limited period for download Format e.g. pdf file with selectable text Only recent titles available electronically: older titles (i.e.pre-2000) may be unobtainable

7. Alternatives Ask for suggested alternative titles from tutor – explain difficulties: keep informed Subscription to services e.g. Leeds University Transcription Centre Revealweb (http://www.revealweb.org.uk/) database of resources available in alternative formatshttp://www.revealweb.org.uk/

8. Wider issues and challenges Who does the work? Who pays? Who to keep informed and when? Challenges: time, cost, communication