Library Trends

The original intention of the editor of Library Trends was to publish an issue devoted to a worldwide review of library services for all disabled people. We realized that this would be a formidable challenge that we did not feel competent to address. In discussing the challenge, however, we came to the conclusion that there was sufficient breadth within our own field of knowledge—library services for visually impaired people—to offer to edit this issue. We are grateful to have been given this opportunity to address a wider international audience than is normally the case, and we hope it will inspire somebody to take up the challenge of proposing an issue dedicated to services for people with other disabilities.

Our intention in devising this issue was to demonstrate the variety of national models for the governance and organization of services for visually impaired people. We wished to provide a broad as possible international perspective ranging from the highly structured and coordinated United States model to the situation in underdeveloped countries in Africa and elsewhere in the world. We wanted to explore the challenges and opportunities that these libraries face in the digital age. We were keen to demonstrate how these library services have to face the same issues as mainstream libraries throughout the world, such as copyright restrictions and metadata standards, but need to address the special needs of their users as well. We believe it is important to demonstrate the extent of effective international cooperation in this field of library and information services. It was crucial that this not be a British dominated issue but rather provide a range of expertise and experience from contributors around the world. Lastly, we were determined that we should provide an opportunity for readers to learn of the insights and experiences of the most important people of all—the users of these library services.

Accordingly, we commence this issue with three articles from the perspective [End Page 757] of users. Dr. Gillian Burrington provides a very personal and informative account of her experience as a senior lecturer in library and information studies who progressively lost her sight from middle age. In contrast, Kevin Carey, who was born blind and is not a librarian, challenges us to develop a new vision of the role of libraries and librarians even though he has never seen a library but is a regular user. We do not apologize that both authors are British because we knew they provide valuable personal insights of worldwide relevance. We are keen to provide an international perspective on users' needs, however, and we believe Eric Davies's article should stimulate further research into this most important research activity.

Our next theme is the range of national models in this field of librarianship. It is appropriate to begin with Kurt Cylke and colleagues' account of the history and development of the federally funded National Library for Blind and Physically Handicapped People as a constituent part of the Library of Congress because we envy such enlightened support from national government. In contrast, David Owen's paper demonstrates how services in the United Kingdom are an uncoordinated mix of public and charitable services that are not directly funded or led by national government. This typical British compromise reflects the different library histories and written and unwritten constitutions of these countries. By way of further contrast, Morayo Atinmo recounts her personal attempt to provide much needed leadership in this field of librarianship in her native Nigeria, whereas Dick Tucker has valiantly attempted to provide a worldwide perspective on library services for visually impaired people in underdeveloped countries. It is sobering to compare the opportunities afforded to blind children in the United States with those in the poorest African nations.

Those involved in service delivery to visually impaired people across the world are constantly reminded of such crucial matters by their participation in the activities of the International Federation of Library Association's (IFLA) Libraries for the Blind Section, and its secretary, Helen Brazier, provides an overview of the section's activities to improve these services around the world. Another major concern for all these libraries is copyright, and Johan...