1. PLEASED
Public Libraries Enabling Accessible
Services Encompassing Disability
Katrina Knox
Public Libraries Victoria Network

2. Background
ICT Disability Working Group
• Convened by Vicnet for the purpose of
improving the provision of ICT facilities
and services in Victorian public libraries
to community members with a disability
• Diverse representation:
- Peak bodies
- Interest groups
- Metro Access Officers
- Public Libraries Victoria Network (PLVN)

3. Key Project
Research project funded by the Winthrop
Foundation to:
• Investigate public library internet
access and participation for people with
a disability
• Assess their needs/issues
• Make recommendations to improve
access and participation

4. Key Project
The key element of the research was a survey:
• Community members with a disability
• Carers
• Public library staff
• ‘More Than Just Equipment’ report released
August 2007
http://www.libraries.vic.gov.au/downloads/Publ
ic_Libraries_Unit/more_than_just_equipment_a
ugust_2007.pdf

5. Key Issues/Themes
Disability Sector
• Internet access at the library
- Problems with adaptive equipment
- Problems with booking computers
- Need for introductory training
- Need for staff help

6. Key Issues/Themes
• Access to the library via the internet
- Remote access to catalogues and
resources
- Web accessibility issues in relation to
vision impairment and literacy
• Support from library staff
- Need for training
- Disability, Adaptive equipment and
the Disability Discrimination Act 1992

7. Key Issues/Themes
• Knowing what/who is available in the library
- Raise community awareness of what
the library offers
- Raise library awareness of the community
- Improve/develop networks
• Getting to, getting in and being comfortable
in the library
- Not directly an ICT issue but most
important

8. Key Issues/Themes
Public Library Sector
• Adaptive technology
- Cost of equipment
- Complexity of equipment
- What to purchase, from where and
who would it benefit
• Training
- Disability awareness and use of
equipment

9. Recommendations
• Improve physical accessibility
• Act on the intent of the Disability
Discrimination Act 1992
• Provide support for library staff to deal with
specialist adaptive/assistive equipment
• Develop accessible websites and databases
• Funding to increase the availability of
internet and adaptive equipment and
software

10. Public Library Response
A workshop was held in April 2008 attended
by 20 public library staff. Representatives
established three priority projects:
• Develop an online resource/directory for
library staff
• Develop guidelines to aid in the
development of accessible library websites
• Develop a best practice guide to designing
accessible library buildings

11. Project Development
• Three Working Groups were established to
progress each of the projects
• The Online Resource/Directory Working
Group’s first priority was to source funding
for the development of the resource
- Department of Planning and Community
Development Small Grants Program
- Funding of $30,000 approved in
June 2008

12. Project Development
• Work Group held a number of workshops
to fully develop the requirements and a
specification
• Vicnet appointed to develop an online
resource
• Use of ‘Joomla’ a free open source
framework and content publishing system
• Website www.pleased.net.au
‘Public libraries enabling accessible services
encompassing disability’

13. Other Projects
• Web accessibility guidelines:
- Research established guidelines were
available, but in need of consolidation
- Vicnet agreed to take on this project
• Best practice guide to designing
accessible library buildings:
- Deferred until completion of other
projects

14. Final Website Features
• Directory
- Service providers
- Assistive technology
• Knowledge base
• Forum
• Articles
• FAQS
• Links
• News
• Web 2.0 features – RSS, word clouds

15. Website Launch
• Launch of the website at the State Library
of Victoria October 2009
• Website Accessibility Guidelines launched
at the same event
• Presentation to Public Library Victoria
Network December 2009

16. Ongoing Development
• To ensure the website continues to grow
and develop each public library service
were requested to appoint a ‘champion’ for
the website
• Vicnet training was conducted for the
champions and training notes developed

17. Ongoing Development
• The PLEASED Working Group has been
expanded with an ongoing role to:
- Promote the site
- Ensure it continues to develop
• The PLEASED banner is now the de-facto
name for all projects disability related
within the Victorian public library network

18. Lessons Learnt
• Detailed and considered planning achieves
good outcomes
• Select the technical solution that best fits,
not the latest trend
• Volunteer projects need skills and
knowledge as well as interest:
- Availability of technical expertise on our
Working Group was invaluable
• Volunteer projects take a long time!

19. www.pleased.net.au
QUESTIONS?