[Athen] [ATHEN] Idea: Bookshare + RFB&D = national provider

[Robert Martinengo]

Pratik,

In Bookshare's abstract, they are basically building the same system
RFB&D already has, but with etext instead of audio. They say they will
add descriptions of images - well, that's what RFB&D readers do right
now. RFB&D already has thousands of subject expert volunteers in their
studios. No offence to Bookshare, but their expertise seems to be in
romance, mysteries, and sci-fi.

Bob

On 10/8/07, Pratik Patel <pratikp1 at gmail.com> wrote:

> I don't think Bookshare is in the position to solve RFB&D's bureaucracy

> problems and adding Bookshare into the mix would only make things worse at

> this point.  I would rather see Bookshare continue to focus on improving its

> offerings rather than focus on something as elusive as this idea.  Mergers

> need to benefit both parties.  In this case, I see no benefit to Bookshare.

> As far as I can tell, and I might be persuaded to see it otherwise, RFB&D

> has no significant process that can help Bookshare improve itself.  I am not

> suggesting that RFB&D has no value and their services aren't important; but,

> it is a different model.

>

> Pratik

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: athen-bounces at athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces at athenpro.org] On

> Behalf Of Ron Stewart

> Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 11:44 AM

> To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network'

> Subject: Re: [Athen] [ATHEN] Idea: Bookshare + RFB&D = national provider

>

> Morning all,

>

> I would rather see them both continue on in their separate and very

> different forms.  Each brings a unique perspective and orientation to the

> provision of materials, as well as APH.  What I would like to see is that

> each of them focus on their areas of strength.

>

> No one agency is going to be able to meet the demand necessary, and I also

> do not want to see duplication and redundancy of effort.  A lot of specific

> expertise has been developed by the authorized entities and I would not want

> to see that lost.

>

> My other major concern is that this would just perpetuate the current

> beaurocratic inefficancies that tend to impact RDB&D as well as the NLS, and

> the state library systems.

>

> By the way whoever the person is who is forwarding all of my emails to folks

> outside ATHEN, the appropriate thing to do would have been to ask first!  I

> do not say anything publically that I would not want shared, but permission

> is considered standard list edicit.

>

> Ron Stewart

>

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: athen-bounces at athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces at athenpro.org] On

> Behalf Of Robert Martinengo

> Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 11:11 AM

> To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network

> Subject: [Athen] Idea: Bookshare + RFB&D = national provider

>

> I've been thinking about the Bookshare news, and have come up with an

> idea: RFB&D and Bookshare should merge. Mergers happen all the time in

> the corporate world, and this would be a logical solution to a real

> problem - duplication of services and allocation of resources.

> Bookshare and RFB&D could merge their services, creating one

> comprehensive resource.

>

> What do y'all think?

> Bob

>

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