Dan.Kysor@f998.n203.z1.fidonet.org (Dan Kysor) (06/20/91)
Index Number: 16254
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
In researching an article for the upcoming issue of "Blink Spot Review", I
had the oppertunity to interview Mr. Kurt Cylke, director of the National
Library System on the question of computer access and technology. Many of
these questions I've asked Mr. Cylke came from you blink talkers so enjoy
the next few messages... Dan W. Kysor
Conducted 05/31/91 10:23 A.M. P.S.T.
1. What role will computers/computer technology play in access of library
materials by blind americans?
He stated that there will be little or no impact on patrons since
statistics bear out the high elderly blind population and the ecconomic
deficiencies experienced by an even larger number of the nations
blindpatronage and would relate to the a. technical abilities of the
elderly population to operate computer equipment and b. the elderly and
majority of blind patron's ability to purchase said computers/modems.
2. Are there plans to put the NLS collection of recorded books on compact
disk?
Cylke stated that no plans are underway in the future for digitizing the
collection in terms of compact disks. However, plans are being researched
by his technical staff to digitize the master library. For example,
re-issues of books read by Alexander Scourby actually constitue 80% of his
actual recorded works and that 20% of his readings have been lost to decay
and by digitizing the collection, the master library will be protected from
said decay. The problem that his technical staff is encountering is that
formats for digitizing audio is somewhat in a state of flux and their
waiting for the right format to come along. I mentioned digital audio tape
and he agreed that the d.a.t. example is why NLS is still waiting for the
right format.
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