GLASS Update – New Tools, New Tips Pat Herndon, Director GVEST October 12, 2016

Who we are... Mission Statement: Georgia Libraries for Accessible Statewide Services (GLASS) supports accessible library services in Georgia by promoting the use of assistive technology and by providing accessible reading materials to those who, due to a disability, are unable to read standard print.

Who we serve Blind Visually Impaired Physical Impairment Reading Disability

Who we are... GLASS Network Headquarters Distribution Center Subregional library Advisory & Outreach Center Two outreach service areas

Where we are….. Over 15,000 active accounts Circulation of over 300,000 physical talking books Over 389,944 physical books in the collection Daily pull between 1400 and 2200 requested audiobooks 86 patrons using embossed braille 13,563 active users in KLAS as of 9/30/16 357,576 titles circulated, which is up from last year Daily pull derived from random dates (M-F) through the month 9/30, 86 patrons subscribed as of 9/29/16 to embossed (print) braille they receive through Utah’s braille services, or through GLASS-Atlanta’s children’s collection of braille books

Where we are… BARD has gained almost 500 users since 2015 2437 users of BARD Over 119,571 digital book downloads About a third of our circulation is download!

Where we are… Partnership with Benetech means all patrons get free Bookshare accounts regardless of age or student status

Big news for adults and for students who are transitioning to community resources!

How we educate Accessible technology kits Counter rollerball, adjustable desk, reading strips. Kids keyboards & mouse, touch and feel books, hilo books

How we inform GLASS YouTube

What resources did we provide? Free tools for public libraries Accessibility tool kits available for checkout for public libraries Accessible keyboards, book readers and other tools given to libraries that want them Working with Tools for Life on the creation of accessibility tool kits. They will contain accessibility tools from low-tech – like special pens – to high tech, such as Dragon Speak. They can be requested by a public library and are sent via courier. Available to libraries that want them will be a number of accessible devices. We have enough accessible keyboards from Keys-U-See to give one to every library, and enough for every system to get a Magnilink S video enlarger, a Magnilink voice optical character reader (text to speech), and a Mobilux handheld video magnifier

What resources did we provide? Providing outreach across the state Quarterly newsletter in print and accessible digital formats. Several patrons receive braille copies. Attend GVEST and IDEAS Conference Facebook and webpage Pursue time and cost-effective outreach throughout the state

What we’re doing in 2017 ... Host the KLAS Conference for libraries using KLAS, our integrated library system (KLAS) Patron download on demand Promote Bookshare to current and existing patrons Continue finding and educating potential partners GAC second conference – will focus on specific accessibility issues. Input from the topics was derived from a survey of past attendees. Classes are worth CEs Online training in GLEAN worth 1 CE – now live

Answering questions www.georgialibraries.org/glass Resources for Librarians YouTube page Call 800-248-6701

Contact GLASS Patron questions: Outreach: Toll free: 800-248-6701 Email: glass@georgialibraries.org Web: www.georgialibraries.org/glass Facebook: georgialibrariesglass Outreach: Stephanie Irvin sirvin@georgialibraries.org 404-235-7157 Alternate formats of the newsletter are also available on request