[NFB-Idaho] changes to Idaho's talking book services

[Mike Gibson]

Channel 7 and Idaho Press had a story a couple of days ago here’s a link. 

https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/idaho-press/idahos-library-system-ends-restructures-programs-amid-federal-funding-cuts/277-5feeecb3-318e-4687-a5f3-4f4eda977e49

Cheers, 
Mike

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 18, 2025, at 4:44 PM, Dana Ard via NFB-Idaho <nfb-idaho at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> I received the below article from Leann Gelskey, director of the talking
> book program. According to the article, Idaho will be receiving talking book
> services from the multi-state center in Utah. Leann did not tell me if there
> was anything we should do concerning this situation. Please read below.
> 
> Talking Book Service Proposal
> 
> The Idaho Commission for Libraries is seeking to restructure the Idaho
> Talking Book Service to leverage contracted services available through the
> Utah State Library (USL). This proposal is intended to enhance the current
> services provided to Idaho Talking Book patrons by providing more robust and
> resilient services from USL. In addition to Utah services, USL provides
> full-service contracts for Montana, Wyoming, and Alaska. Idaho and 18 other
> states have contracted with USL to provide Braille services to patrons for
> several decades.
> 
> USL's full-service model includes the circulation of audiobooks, large print
> books, and braille books, patron account maintenance, reader's advisory
> services, access to the web OPAC and local book (SHELF) download site, BARD
> registration and account administration, and locally produced magazine
> subscriptions. They handle the distribution of machines and accessories and
> instruction on how to use devices and the BARD app and troubleshoot issues.
> They provide a toll free out-of-state number and an email address for
> patrons. Full-service libraries receive the same services as Utah patrons
> receive.
> 
> Statistical reporting, newsletter mailings, and recording services for books
> and magazines of local and regional interest are also included. The number
> of books produced is flexible. USL also records voter information pamphlets
> and other items of interest for out of state patrons. They can generate a
> progress report on recording projects, monthly or quarterly.
> 
> The rationale behind this decision:
> 
> 1. To grow the number of Talking Book patrons and to spread awareness of
> Talking Book services. We estimate the total number of people eligible for
> Talking Book Services is much higher than the current number of patrons. In
> 2021 the National Library Service (NLS) implemented changes that made it
> easier for people with reading disabilities to enroll in Talking Book
> services, thus increasing the eligible population further. The NLS issued a
> FY22 objective to increase the number of active patrons in the program by
> 2.5% annually. By focusing ICfL's resources on outreach and raising
> awareness, we can help fulfill NLS's objectives.
> 
> 2. Service Improvements: The partnership with USL will provide patrons with
> access to large print titles mailed to their homes. USL also offers deposit
> collections of large print titles for small and rural libraries. They will
> manage this service that is not currently available through the Idaho
> Talking Book Service.
> 
> *    Montana has contracted with USL since 2022 and said the service has
> been a "godsend." They received two patron complaints when they first made
> the transition, but none in the ensuing years.
> *    Alaska has conducted a biennial customer satisfaction survey for
> years. Since contracting with USL in 2015, customer satisfaction in Alaska
> has remained in the mid-90% as positive.
> *    Wyoming has contracted with USL for decades and report that USL is
> very easy to work with and Talking Book patrons get the same level of
> service as if they called Cheyenne. Wyoming reports never having heard a
> patron complaint.
> 
> 3. Service Resilience: With the threat of IMLS funding being reduced or
> eliminated in FY26 or beyond, being able to provide the same level of
> service to patrons at about a third of what we've been budgeting will allow
> the agency to more easily shift funding sources if allowed or find alternate
> funding to support this vital service. It allows existing staff more time to
> find other employment and creates a less chaotic and reactive transition.
> Utah State Library utilizes state funds to support the service + the service
> fees charged to participating states. They supplement their large print
> collection of over 160,000 titles with LSTA funding. Their state funds are
> very stable with no major threats.
> 
> 4. Cost savings:   
> 
> 
> Existing TBS Costs
> 
> Contracting with USL
> 
> 
> $471,580 for 6 FTEs (salaries + benefits)
> 
> $  60,000 base for each state
> 
> 
> $   33,276 for KLAS
> 
> $124,000 ($40 x 3,100 TB patrons)
> 
> 
> 
> 
> $     6,800 ($85 x 80 Braille patrons)
> 
> 
> $504,856 total per year
> 
> $190,800 per year
> 
> 
> 
> The current cost of Talking Book services is approximately $504,000. By
> contracting with USL to provide the same level of services the cost would be
> approximately $190,000 with a cost savings of approximately $314,000.
> 
> We are proposing keeping one or two FTEs to be the TBS liaison with Utah and
> NLS, implement TBS marketing and outreach, welcome walk in patrons (without
> KLAS, but with some devices to show and lend and some demo cartridges), and
> review new applications and send to USL. This staff member will focus on
> building relationships with organizations throughout the state that interact
> with the target demographics such as public and school libraries,
> optometrist offices, Blind and Low Vision services, senior centers and
> residential housing, and schools that will allow the agency to grow our
> patron base. We might broaden the job duties with OverDrive knowledge and
> accessibility issues down the road (they might keep a finger in the
> recording studio if we think that's still a priority - or those could be
> used for other purposes or made available to other state agencies, etc.).
> 
> We would need to work with DHR to reclass a current position. High-end costs
> could be $110,000 for salary and benefits, reducing the cost savings to
> $204,000. If we keep two staff that would reduce the savings to $120,000 --
> still a significant amount that can be utilized to support the agency's
> mission of building capacity of libraries as well as TBS outreach costs.  
> 
> Measures of success
> 
> To maintain a high standard of service and ensure that Idaho Talking Book
> Service remains a valued resource for patrons, ICfL will evaluate the
> implementation of this proposal using the following metrics:
> 
> . The successful implementation of an outreach staffing model
> 
> . The creation of an outreach plan to target effective outreach to key
> stakeholders
> 
> . The number of outreach, educational, and engagement opportunities
> supported by ICfL staff
> 
> . The number of new patrons
> 
> . Patron assistance and readers advisory statistics
> 
> . Patron circulation rates
> 
> . Patron reported satisfaction
> 
> . The number of new talking book recordings relative to current recording
> capacity
> 
> . Circulation delivery time relative to current delivery time
> 
> Next steps and timeline
> 
> . May 14, 2025 Proposal shared with Talking Book staff & ICfL staff &
> Governor's office
> 
> . June 12, 2025 Proposal shared with ICfL Commissioners
> 
> TBD for the rest of these steps:
> 
> .   NLS is notified
> 
> .   Contract negotiation initiated with USL
> 
> .   Keystone contract modifications initiated (ICfL contract ends September
> 25, 2025)
> 
> .   Patrons notified of pending changes (likely at least two mailings +
> other ways of notifying them)
> 
> .   Contract finalized no later than this date .   Patron information
> extracted from the talking book library system and transferred to USL
> 
> . No later than this date, ICfL will surplus players, cartridges, and other
> equipment. Items will be returned to NLS or USL at the direction of NLS
> 
> . USL Contract start date
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> --
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