National Library News

October/November 1996, vol. 28, nos. 10-11

Report on CANUC:H

by Katherine Miller, National and International Programs

Recently, the National Library conducted a study of CANUC:H, the Canadian Union Catalogue of Materials for the Print-Handicapped, which was established in 1983 to facilitate resource sharing of alternative-format materials among Canadian libraries and to reduce duplicate production of these materials. CANUC:H includes records for large print and braille works, electronic texts and talking books. As well, it contains information about producers’ works-in-progress, which are reported under a program known as CANWIP. Having been available for more than 10 years, CANUC:H and its success in fulfilling its purpose needed to be assessed, especially taking into account new technologies available to support information services to print-handicapped Canadians, the needs of producers, service providers and their clients, and the National Library’s role and capacity with regard to supporting resource-sharing activities.

The objectives of the study, which was carried out by the consulting firm Beaumont and Associates, were to evaluate the development and use of CANUC:H to support access to information for print-handicapped Canadians and, based on this evaluation, to determine the appropriate next steps for the National Library. A survey was sent to current and potential users of and contributors to CANUC:H, who were selected because of their involvement in services to members of the visually impaired and blind communities. As well, the survey reviewed current trends in technology in consultation with experts in the field. At 50 percent, the return rate of the survey was high, reflecting both the interest in information services to print-handicapped persons and the commitment of those who provide these services. All respondents have received a copy of the report.

The final report of the study, Review of the National Library Union Catalogue Support for Delivery of Services to Persons with Disabilities, contained seven recommendations. A steering committee of National Library staff members reviewed the recommendations to determine how and when they should be implemented.

The report reinforces the National Library’s commitment to advocate equitable access to information and support the provision of information services to print-handicapped Canadians, as stated in the first recommendation: “As a matter of principle, the focus of National Library efforts to support access to alternate formats should be through the use of technologies which are microcomputer and network based, while ensuring that those who are not computer literate have access to knowledgeable intermediaries when needed”.

The second recommendation places special emphasis on the role of intermediaries. The importance of intermediaries in developing the skills necessary to provide information services to print-handicapped clients is stressed. These skills include accessing bibliographic information and obtaining materials not readily available in local collections. The National Library will take steps in the short term to support the development of these skills. For example, National Library staff, when involved in library education and training, will incorporate information on services to print-handicapped clients. This means that Access AMICUS training, for instance, will include a section on alternative-format material. As well, The Accessible Canadian Library II, a workbook on how to ensure that a library is accessible, is due for publication late in the fall. In the longer term, training sessions based on the workbook are being developed in consultation with members of the library community.

Working with producers of alternative-format material is another priority. The report recommends that the National Library work with these producers to develop new procedures for contributing information about works-in-progress by using the CIP program. A related recommendation is that the number of contributing producers be increased. The National Library has initiated discussions with producers regarding the use of the CIP program. In the longer term, potential contributors will be contacted.

The report emphasizes that CANUC:H is an important tool for information service to print-handicapped Canadians, although it recognizes that the use of the microfiche product was low. Clients prefer to use AMICUS, and either subscribe themselves, or else use a third party to search the database for information on alternative-format materials. The fifth recommendation is that the microfiche be discontinued and that, until a replacement product is available, the National Library’s interlibrary loan location service be used to locate alternative-format material for those who do not have an Access AMICUS account. The microfiche product has been discontinued; interlibrary loan remains an alternative service.

The report recommends that, for CANUC:H to be an effective resource-sharing tool, it should be managed within the framework of the Library’s mainstream procedures and policies wherever possible. Ultimately, CANUC:H should be based on a network of appropriate catalogues that are part of the virtual Canadian union catalogue (vCuc). The gateways and interfaces linking these catalogues should be optimized for use with adaptive technologies, support links to electronic documents where appropriate, and allow users to add special interest catalogues (e.g., of local or topical interest) that support the appropriate protocols. The National Library endorses this concept of CANUC:H and will encourage resource sharing of alternative-format materials through the development of the virtual Canadian union catalogue. The requirements for alternative-format materials and adaptive technologies will be included in the vCuc technical considerations.

In the report’s final recommendation, it is recognized that to support effectively information service to print-handicapped Canadians, the National Library must work with others in developing appropriate technologies. There are many participants involved in providing library services and alternative-format materials to the print-handicapped. They all have a critical role to play in promoting education of intermediaries, overcoming accessibility barriers, and using opportunities to re-engineer CANUC:H and CANWIP and integrate them successfully into the emerging information infrastructure. In the current environment of fiscal restraint, the only way to move forward is to work together through established partnerships that meet the needs of the community, and take advantage of the possibilities offered by new technologies.

Copies of the Executive Summary of the report are available.

For more information, contact:

Katherine Miller
Library Development Officer
National and International Programs
National Library of Canada
395 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N4
Telephone: (613) 996-7271
Fax: (613) 947-2916
TTY: (613) 992-6969
Internet: katherine.miller@nlc-bnc.ca

To contact the Interlibrary Loan Division at the National Library:

Telephone: (613) 996-7527
Fax: (613) 996-4424
TTY: (613) 992-6969
Internet: illser@nlc-bnc.ca