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From: Dan.Kysor@f998.n203.z1.fidonet.org (Dan Kysor)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Cylke interview part 1
Message-ID: <16254@handicap.news>
Date: 19 Jun 91 20:52:00 GMT
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[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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