The GLS Local Recording Program is a division of the GLS; it provides the opportunity for Georgia citizens who are eligible to receive service from GLS to access the same type of books and information available to Georgia citizens through Georgia Public Libraries. The Recording Program is designed to complement the NLS collection by offering local and regional standard, classic and informative titles plus works of popular interest which reflect the diverse needs of the readership.
The purpose of this policy is to provide selection guidelines for materials to be recorded by volunteers for the GLS Recording Program which are not produced or provided by The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS). The GLS Recording Program follows the selection guidelines as stated in the NLS “Selection Policy for Reading Materials” as well as the “Library Bill of Rights and “Freedom to Read” statements adopted by the American Library Association.
The primary objective of the GLS Local Recording Program is to provide recreational and informational materials to citizens of Georgia who are unable to read standard print due to physical or visual impairments or learning disability. The Recording Program provides patrons with a well-balanced and broad range of recreational and informational materials which complement materials from other libraries in the NLS network or other sources.
The selection of materials is the responsibility of the GLS. Staff members, GLS patrons, and members of the public are encouraged to contribute to the building of the collection. Suggestions for inclusion on materials in the locally recorded collection should be made to gls@georgialibraries.org.
General consideration in the selection of materials to be recorded shall be quality, need of subject representation in the collection, availability, and patron demand. Positive evaluation in established and widely accepted reviewing sources and/or public interest shall be important considerations. Special request and recommendations by patrons shall be accepted for consideration. Acceptance of such request or recommendations shall not mean that the GLS is obliged to record the material.
In addition to the NLS “Selection Policy for Reading Materials”, the GLS Local Recording Program shall consider the following factors:
The literary and historical value of the material to the local and regional readership. High priority will be given to materials written by Georgia authors, books set in Georgia and books with subject content that is especially relevant to the readership.
Quality of writing will be considered when determining whether or not a material will be recorded. One measure will be favorable reviews in standard reviewing sources whenever possible.
Patron request for materials to be recorded are welcome for consideration. Normally, materials available from NLS or other readily accessible sources will not be considered for recording. If the item is only available in a format the requestor cannot use, an exception may be made.
The materials must be within the capability of available volunteer narrators. The complexity of the text, the difficulty of translating charts or illustrations into narrative, the use of international language words and phrases and other elements in the text will be considered.
Staffing and available studio hours may require prioritization of recordings. This prioritization will be at the discretion of the Regional Librarian.
The criteria are not listed in any order of importance, nor is it the intention that each title selected meet each factor cited.
Materials for recording are chosen to meet the need of Georgia citizens who are eligible to receive service from GLS and qualified users of NLS. Materials will be available through KLAS, and BARD Download.