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Collaborators

Focused on Special Needs: How Several Public Libraries Collaborated to Create Four Annual Low Vision Fairs. Collaborators. Bob Blanchard, Des Plaines Public Library Nancy Brothers, Morton Grove Public Library Laura Fantom, Vernon Area Library Dodie Frisbie, Niles Public Library

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Collaborators

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  1. Focused on Special Needs: How Several Public Libraries Collaborated to Create Four Annual Low Vision Fairs

  2. Collaborators • Bob Blanchard, Des Plaines Public Library • Nancy Brothers, Morton Grove Public Library • Laura Fantom, Vernon Area Library • Dodie Frisbie, Niles Public Library • Karina Guico, Morton Grove Public Library

  3. Gary Gustin, Skokie Public Library • Ruth Hafner, Northbrook Public Library • Janet McIntyre, Glenview Public Library • Cathy Thompson, Park Ridge Public Library • Joyce Voss, Arlington Heights Memorial Library (retired)

  4. Multi-tasking • Collaboration • Causes and prevalence of low vision in the United States • How eight public libraries and a Senior Center collaborated to create four annual low vision fairs to help meet the information needs of seniors with low vision. • How you can create a similar project for your community.

  5. Three C’s of Togetherness • Cooperation • Coordination • Communication

  6. Cooperation Cooperation is a key component of corporate culture. One is expected to be a team player and to work with others in a group.

  7. Coordination Coordination means each unit or part of the whole is informed as to how and when it must act.

  8. Communication Communication is how information is exchanged and how people understand each other.

  9. Collaboration • Is not an exchange of information; it is using information to create something new. • Collaborations are established to solve problems, develop new understandings, and design new products.

  10. Collaborations… Are established to solve problems, develop new understandings, and design new products.

  11. Michael Schrage, author of Shared Minds Collaboration is the process of shared creation: two or more individuals with complementary skills interacting to create a shared understanding that none had previously possessed or could have come to on their own.

  12. The basic questions one asks when planning an event: • Who? • What? • When? • Where? • Why? • How?

  13. Low Vision Fair WHO?

  14. The first piece of the puzzle is “who?” Who was involved inthe collaboration? Four years ago, outreach workers from five northern Chicagoland suburban public libraries got together to talk about how we might better reach special populations.

  15. Today, we have a consortium of eight public libraries and a senior center. We have collaborated to create four annual low vision fairs.

  16. Another aspect of “who?” also answers “why?”

  17. Projections of the Population by Selected Age Groups for the U.S. 2010-2050

  18. What is low vision? • Low vision denotes a level of vision measured at 20/70 or worse and that cannot be fully corrected with conventional glasses. • Not the same as blindness. • Interferes with the performance of daily activities, such as reading or driving.

  19. VisionProblems in the U.S. The National Eye Institute and Prevent Blindness America reported that the leading causes of vision impairment and blindness are primarily age-related eye diseases.

  20. Major Causes of Low Vision • Cataracts • Glaucoma • Diabetic Retinopathy • Age-related Macular Degeneration

  21. www.preventblindness.org SOURCE: Prevent Blindness America 211 West Wacker Drive Suite 1700 Chicago, IL 60606

  22. SOURCE: National Eye Institute National Institutes of Health 2020 Vision Place Bethesda, MD 20892-3655 www.nei.nih.gov

  23. A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision. Most cataracts are related to aging. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. The same scene as viewed by a person with a cataract. Normal vision

  24. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness and visual impairment for Americans, affecting as many as 2.22 million people nationwide. An additional 2 million are unaware they have the disease. Same scene as though the viewer had glaucoma Normal vision

  25. Diabetes has become an epidemic in the United States. Diabetic eye disease is a complication of diabetes and a leading cause of blindness. Same scene as viewed with diabetic retinopathy Normal vision

  26. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) gradually destroys sharp, central vision which is needed for seeing objects clearly and for common tasks such as reading and driving. The same scene as viewed by a person with age-related macular degeneration. Normal vision

  27. There are two types of AMD: Wet AMD, also known as advanced AMD, occurs when abnormal blood vessels behind the retina start to grow under the macula. The new blood vessels are very fragile and leak blood and fluid. Dry AMD occurs when light-sensitive cells in the macula slowly break down, gradually blurring central vision in the affected eye. The most common symptom is slightly blurred vision.

  28. $15 billion is Spent Annually on Corrective Eyewear More than 150 million Americans use corrective eyewear to compensate for their refractive error.

  29. County Map of Illinois This map of Illinois shows the service areas of the eight libraries involved. A total of about 350,000 people live in this area; about half are age 45 and over.

  30. Consortium Formed in 2007 Five public libraries were involved: Des Plaines, Morton Grove, Niles, Park Ridge and Skokie

  31. HOW? PLANNING STARTED MONTHS AHEAD

  32. Planning for the first fair Nuts and bolts discussion

  33. The first Low Vision Fair was held in September, 2007 • Fifteen vendors participated • Three speakers and the Niles Senior Center’s Kitchen Band were featured • A $2 hot dog/chips lunch was served

  34. Low Vision Fair When?

  35. Practicality of dates: • Probability of good weather • Holidays and other events: pros and cons • Traffic and visibility

  36. Low Vision Fair WHERE?

  37. Location, Location, Location • The main challenge was finding an accessible, low-cost, centrally located facility with good parking and public transportation. • The Niles Senior Center is centrally located for the five original contributing libraries and the Center’s staff were enthusiastic about co-sponsoring the Fair.

  38. The Niles Senior Center The Niles Senior Center, inside the Niles Social Services Building, is part of a complex of municipal buildings, which includes Niles Village Hall and the Niles Post Office. The Niles Public Library is across the street.

  39. Planning: On-site at the Niles Senior Center. • Planning vendor table locations • Discussing use of the lecture hall

  40. 2007 Speakers were: • Director of Services, Guild for the Blind • Retina Specialist • Des Plaines Lions Club member with blindness

  41. Based on the outcome of each fair, changes were made for the subsequent Fairs. Some of the changes included: • The hotdog lunch was dropped and a healthy menu of finger foods was added. • The Senior Center’s Kitchen Band performed in 2007; it was decided to focus on low vision products and services in ensuing Fairs. • Collaborating libraries changed due to staffing and construction

  42. Other changes included: Screenings were added as a personal service: • Glaucoma screenings were provided by the Glenbrook Hospital Eye and Vision Center • The Niles Lions Club provided retina screenings

  43. Uninterrupted demonstration time. Personality conflicts avoided. Attention to: Traffic flow, timing and patterns of movement. Seating arrangements. Floor plan: use of two rooms

  44. “Booths” = tables with exhibits Booths were staffed by librarians, vendors, and agencies serving the blind and visually impaired.

  45. Low Vision Fair HOW: PUBLICITY AND PROMOTION

  46. Library promotions: • Links on library websites • Flyers • Postcards • Library newsletters • Word of mouth/announcements • Announcements in church bulletins, senior organizations, ophthalmologists’ and optometrists’ offices • Bookmarks

  47. Media promotions: • Public service announcements (PSAs) sent to CRIS and local radio stations • Press releases sent to local newspapers • Craig’s List

  48. Flyer

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