Daisy-books: cooperation Luisterpunt* – public libraries

1. Provinciaal Bibliotheekcentrum Vrieselhof Schildesteenweg 99 | 2520 Ranst | T +32 (0)3 312 98 70 | pbc@provant.be Daisy-books: cooperation Luisterpunt* – public libraries SUMMARY • Grounds for cooperation • Who does what • Results • Present & Future *Luisterpunt= the Flemish Library for Audio Books and Braille

2. I. Grounds for cooperation Luisterpunt makes constatation:  - we have ±4000 members (most of which are 65+) - that’s only 2,5 percent of possible target-group (versus average of public libraries: 30%) - aging population > target group will increase How can we make our services (and Daisy-books in particular) better known with a broad audience?

3. Idea: let us reach out to public libraries Why? - vast network - we can reach out to younger senior citizens - ’keep’ this aging public > raise awareness about alternatives for ordinary books Additionally: further ‘inclusion-principle’ > public libraries provide services for everyone

4. Next: what’s the best way to reach out to public libraries? Enter: PBC Antwerp: provincial library services agency  - provides services to PL’s on a regional level - policy plan states: “support services aimed at less-mobile people and other specific target-groups” - has frequent contacts with public libraries

5. II. Who does what? Luisterpunt and the PBC present their proposal to public libraries  57 out of 69 decide to cooperate • Luisterpunt provides: • free Daisy-books • training of library staff • brochures, leaflets etc. • The province of Antwerp: • acquires 216 Plextalk Daisy-readers for PL’s • hosts information and training sessions • The public libraries: • make Daisy-books an integral part of their collection • lend them out for free • seek cooperation with local homes for the elderly etc.

6. III. Results spring 2007: 57 x 100 library books are delivered libraries provide an extra service, free of charge Challenge: cooperation with local actors > you have to be fortunate to find the right people, with the right mindset How many people have we reached out to?  ask libraries for figures -> twice (end 2007, end 2008) Impartial results  gives us usage indications  but need for better figures

7. Results 2007 (feb-nov) 1891 titles have been checked out (29 lib) 254 people use Daisy-books (27 lib) 24 libraries cooperate with homes for the elderly 5 provide doorstep-deliveries Results 2008 5058 titles have been checked out (38 lib) 261 people use Daisy-books (28 lib) III. Results

8. III. Results Guestimations (careful!) Let’s extrapolate to 57 libraries: if 10 users / library  then total users: 654 if 10 books / user  then total of 6609 books read 654 active users = 18% increase of active readership Luisterpunt (3495 people in 2008)

9. IV. Present & Future • Luisterpunt continues to provide free Daisy-books • launches media-campaign • PBC offers libraries specialized displays • similar tracks have started in other provinces > should lead to even more readership-growth Our goals: - continue and strengthen current activities - raise awareness even more > reach more people End of 2009: new figures will allow us to see if this has worked