Presenter(s): Stephanie Irvin
Georgia Libraries for Accessible Statewide Services (GLASS) is the talking book and braille library for readers of any age who cannot use standard print materials due to a disability. The program in Georgia has undergone changes in the past year. The national program has enhanced services, and Georgia Public Library Services (GPLS) has provided accessible technology to public libraries in Georgia. GLASS is here to update you on this valuable service, and to provide you with
resources to share with your coworkers, customers or students.
2. 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.
4. Who we are...
GLASS Network
● Headquarters
● Distribution center
● Subregional library
● Advisory & outreach center
● Two outreach service areas
Most services are remote
5. Where we are…..
● Almost 14,000 active users
● Circulation of almost 357,576 physical talking books
● Over 389,944 physical books in the collection
● Daily pull between 1400 and 2200 requested audiobooks
● 86 patrons using embossed braille
6. Where we are…
● BARD has gained almost 500 users since 2015
● 2437 users of BARD
● Over 100,550 digital book downloads
● About a third of our circulation is digital!
7. Where we are…
● Partnership with Benetech means all patrons get free
Bookshare accounts regardless of age
8.
9.
10. How we educate
● Second Georgia Accessibility Conference
● Three GLASS classes in the Learning Center
•An introduction to GLASS
•GLASS Services: An In-Depth Look
•GLASS Toolkit for Public Libraries
13. 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
14. What resources did we provide?
Providing outreach across the state
● Quarterly newsletter in print and accessible digital
formats. Several patrons receive braille copies.
● Maintain GLASS-L email mailing list
● Facebook and webpage
● Pursue time and cost-effective outreach throughout
the state
15. 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