CILIP recently hosted a webinar delivered by staff from the RNIB where they shared their knowledge and experiences with over 100 CILIP members.
Lara Marshall, Libraries Engagement Manager spoke to CILIP Ireland and shared a little about her work with the RNIB.
My job is to empower library services to provide the best service they can for BPS (blind and partially sighted) users. I visit libraries all over the UK, public, academic, research and more. I am developing a comprehensive offer to all libraries. The starting point is to enrich and support things already in place. It makes sense to partner up with the work that’s already been done and build on successes. Libraries already provide accessible stock in the form of e-audio, e-books, physical talking books and large print or are able to signpost to places where it's available.
RNIB can offer support in terms of training, up-to-date information and advice, access audits, partnership working, advice around accessible technology (including AI!) and peer-to-peer support groups.
Within public libraries there is the Vision & Print Impaired People’s Promise, so this often forms the basis of where I start with support, but it's not exhaustive and I'm always open to new and exciting ways to improve accessibility.
I also work very closely with Share The Vision, who have been doing amazing work and supply lots of resources to libraries to ensure accessibility for blind and partially sighted people. We can build on this by visiting and advising your library on accessibility for general use, event use, signage, lighting, etc. RNIB will produce an official list of recommendations, and there is potential to offer accreditation as a ‘Visibly Better Building’.
The webinar is available to view now.
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