Provinciaal Bibliotheekcentrum VrieselhofSchildesteenweg 99 | 2520 Ranst | T 03 312 98 70 | [email protected] Bibliotheekcentrum VrieselhofSchildesteenweg 99 | 2520 Ranst | T +32 (0)3 312 98 70 | [email protected]
Daisy-books: cooperation Luisterpunt* – public libraries
SUMMARY
I. Grounds for cooperationII. Who does whatIII. ResultsIV. Present & Future
*Luisterpunt= the Flemish Library for Audio Books and Braille
Provinciaal Bibliotheekcentrum VrieselhofSchildesteenweg 99 | 2520 Ranst | T 03 312 98 70 | [email protected]
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?
Provinciaal Bibliotheekcentrum VrieselhofSchildesteenweg 99 | 2520 Ranst | T 03 312 98 70 | [email protected]
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
Provinciaal Bibliotheekcentrum VrieselhofSchildesteenweg 99 | 2520 Ranst | T 03 312 98 70 | [email protected]
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
Provinciaal Bibliotheekcentrum VrieselhofSchildesteenweg 99 | 2520 Ranst | T 03 312 98 70 | [email protected]
II. Who does what?
Luisterpunt and the PBC present their proposal to public libraries 57 out of 69 decide to cooperate
A) Luisterpunt provides:• free Daisy-books• training of library staff• brochures, leaflets etc.
B) The province of Antwerp:• acquires 216 Plextalk Daisy-readers for PL’s• hosts information and training sessions
C) 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.
Provinciaal Bibliotheekcentrum VrieselhofSchildesteenweg 99 | 2520 Ranst | T 03 312 98 70 | [email protected]
III. Results
spring 2007: 57 x 100 library books are deliveredlibraries 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
Provinciaal Bibliotheekcentrum VrieselhofSchildesteenweg 99 | 2520 Ranst | T 03 312 98 70 | [email protected]
III. Results
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)
Provinciaal Bibliotheekcentrum VrieselhofSchildesteenweg 99 | 2520 Ranst | T 03 312 98 70 | [email protected]
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)
Provinciaal Bibliotheekcentrum VrieselhofSchildesteenweg 99 | 2520 Ranst | T 03 312 98 70 | [email protected]
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 ifthis has worked