[bksvol-discuss] Keeping the list
- From: "Rick Ely" <ely.r@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2004 16:36:30 -0500
Marissa
I have to agree with Gisela. I would be far less likely to follow discussions
if they did not arrive unbidden in my inbox. It is interesting to note the ups
and downs of list participation. During the run up to the holidays there was a
dribble of messages. Now, many of us are free for a time and the frequency as
well as fractiousness have increased.
The whole BookShare endeavor is a process that is still in its infancy. Having
been a long time subscriber, let me assure others that there have been a number
of similar active discussions like this one of the past week or so. This one
too is likely to fade as have others. It would be a shame to disband the list,
thus limiting or reducing discussion of points that are critical to BookShare
growth. Frankly, since we are all part of an institution, and that institution
is formally headed by a small group of employees, and since it is those
employees who ultimately decide issues of TXT Versus RTF or fair,
Verses excellent then they need to hear the real concern that volunteers have
regarding these issues.
When BookShare began, I believe that all of us were simply pleased to have
access to a wider more immediate selection of books. Offering credits for scans
and then validating have served to grow the holdings. At the same time credits
may also invite some volunteers to offer the quick and dirty as a means for
continuing their membership. Over time, our expectations as BookShare readers
have grown. Unless I am desperate for a particular title, I avoid books rated
fair. I would be offended if I went to my public library and took out a book
only to find that the print was corrupt, pages were missing, and that the book
was not divided into logical pages but assembled on a roll of paper. I feel the
same way about my BookShare downloads.
However, at this moment, we are clearly again at some kind of turning point.
BookShare staff have till now, elected to not move on insisting that books be
submitted in a format that aids navigation. Clearly, they may choose to accept
TXT files indefinitely, but long term this will effect the usefulness of the
collection. Likewise, staff may choose to continue to approve books who's fair
rating call into question their value and in some cases even what it means to
be a fair rated book.
I have no wish to suggest how volunteers elect to spend their time. I think
that as a group we have very different personalities, and we find our
gratification caring out very diverse tasks.
I have felt for some time that what we most need is a better tool for educating
volunteers than this list affords. Though we have produced lists of tips and
tricks, they often do not meet the needs of beginning volunteers. Ideally, we
BookShare, should offer courses to get the novice started along the right
track. Since many of us find transportation a barrier, offering even many
locations for training would limit who could attend. What is needed is a
simple, self paced, on-line or on CD course in scanning and preparing an
electronic version of a book. This should be offered free and this list or a
list for the novice might be womanned or even manned by current volunteers who
could answer questions. Such a course and support could foster the Consistent
production of books all of which could receive a excellent rating.
BookShare has clearly shown its value, and therefore should be in a good
position to seek a grant to produce such a course. The materials developed
could be made available not only to BookShare volunteers, but to anyone wishing
to take on production. Though as yet it is not wide spread, there are teachers
and paraprofessionals who work with visually impaired students who are
beginning to take on this task. Like our novice volunteers, they struggle
through all the same problems we have faced. Ah, to have had a friendly guide
in those first few efforts.
So Marissa, keep the list. Redirect all this energy in a move to further
improve what we as volunteers are able to do. Ask staff to Give serious thought
to a training course, not in several years but in 2005.However much we may snap
at one another here, our intention is all headed in the same direction, that is
to provide as many quality accessible books as we possibly can.
Rick
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