The Library today
The Novosibirsk Regional Special Library for the Blind and Visually Impaired (NRSL) has been realizing a conception of its development as an Information Resource Rehabilitation Center (IRRC) during the recent 10 years. The Library's regular organization and technical modernization ensured the introduction of new information technologies and services; allowed to create the actively visited Library's website, organize electronic document delivery to readers and partners of NRSL and provide target user group with access to Internet-resources. Contacts of the Library with over 170 centers and services from 35 foreign countries promote its professional innovations. Most of the Library's projects and programs were fulfilled owing to close cooperation with home and international foundations: Open Society Institute, FORCE Foundation, Rotary Foundation, Open Siberia etc.
NRSL has carried out a number of systematic reorganizations, which allowed to increase the level of specialized service of target reader's groups to considerable extent, including both print handicapped people and a wide circle of rehabilitation specialists. The professional community marked repeatedly the high level of seminars, exhibitions and conferences conducted by NRSL, moreover many of them were international. The Library is a base for interregional and international probations and also a participant of programs of cultural educational exchange. An Adaptive Computer Room of Open Access, which conforms to standards of modern public establishments, is available on the basis of NRSL.
The unique technological base of the Library allow to search new directions of its activity in conditions of the changing modern world. The significant fact in this connection is publishing complex editions for the blind and visually impaired, including presentation of information in several formats simultaneously: Braille, tactile graphics, large print and digital audio. At present, various technical devices are available in IRRC on the basis of NRSL that promote growth of opportunities for adaptation of target social groups.
A number of programs concerning development of IRRC is based on successful Library's experience on forming positive attitude of the society towards disabled people. Many of these people have normal intellectual potential and the same deep and vital interests as citizens without any sensory or physical impairments. Therefore, disputing importance of investment in these strong but unusual people has become the value guiding line in the activity of NRSL.
Even in the most successful country, it's impossible to overcome all social barriers only through conducting state programs. In consideration of that, the Library realizes a strategy of forming and supporting initiatives from organizations that represent various sectors of public life and solve social problems of special groups of people on the basis of uniting their efforts. NRSL has the universally recognized prestige as a not engaged platform for carrying on constructive dialog between the authorities and NGOs that protect interests of disabled people. A number of discussions on problems of accessible architectural and information environment, employment of young adults with disabilities, accessible higher education and other subjects was organized many times with active participation of specialists of the Library. In order to support these processes, the Library accumulates and provides its information and adaptive technological resources for a wide circle of specialists, NGO leaders, administrators and managers of social sphere.
Today, it's necessary to develop the dialog with professionals of various spheres of public life further. Therefore, NRSL attaches a great importance to extension of its participation in international exhibitions and fairs dedicated to education, public health, social work, safety and organization of city environment. The expositions that demonstrate the use of the information resources, accessible through the special libraries and connected with these directions, ensure the real growth of quantity and quality of services in relation to disabled people, promote rising of the value and prestige of labor that facilitates their lives.