Resolution: The Midlands Conference Members resolve to thank Maggie Ansty and the staff of the Indiana State Library for their efforts as the host site for the 2015 Tri-Regional Conference of Librarians serving the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
Resolution: The Midlands Conference Members resolve to thank NLS staff for attending the conference and sharing information with the attendees.
Resolution: The Midlands Conference Members resolve to thank the management and staff of the Marriott Courtyard Downtown for their service and accommodations.
Resolution: The Midlands Conference Members resolve to thank Keystone Systems, Inc. for once again sponsoring a reception for conference participants. Their gracious sponsorship is greatly appreciated.
Resolution: The Midlands Conference Members resolve to thank all conference presenters for providing informative, enlightening and entertaining presentations.
Resolution: The Midlands Conference Members resolve to thank the NLS engineering staff for the development of the Android BARD app and the training staff for their work in developing material to support library staff in helping patrons sort through the complexities of the Android platforms.
Resolution: The Midlands Conference Members applauds NLS for allowing network libraries to receive a quota of blank cartridges to use for such purposes as meeting the demands of patrons (duplication on demand) and preferences of patrons (multiple books on a single cartridge options and similar services). This will also achieve the benefits of letting libraries take full advantage of the “a to d” list of retrospective titles as well as better utilize staff and resources at NLS and throughout the network.
Resolution: The Midlands Conference Members thanks NLS for moving forward on adding local Network recordings into the BARD collection and developing the pilot program.
Resolution: The Midlands Conference Members, on behalf of their patrons, thanks NLS for lengthening the loan periods for the MOC program.
Resolution: The Midlands Conference Members requests that NLS develop a process for reducing the active inventory of C1 players to help network libraries relieve storage space required to house returned and used C1 machines.
Resolution: Midlands Conference Members once again requests that NLS update the Machine-Lending Agency Manual and place it online.
Resolution: The Midlands Conference recommends that NLS find a better method of communicating with the postal service about the network's delivery concerns, for example, conducting- an educational campaign to the postal service that explains the NLS program and explains free matter delivery to all postal workers.
Resolution: Midlands Conference members once again requests that NLS institute a reexamination of the reading disability eligibility requirements, 36 CFR 701.6(b), in light of currently accepted medical understandings and practices. The Library of Congress is the federal authority charged with promulgating eligibility regulations, see 17 U.S.C. § 121(d)(2) and 2 U.S.C. § 135a. The National Library Service/Library of Congress is the appropriate authority to undertake a review to ensure its implementing regulations are current, taking into account medical advances in understanding and diagnosing reading disabilities that have occurred since medical experts were last consulted in 1974.
Resolution: The Midlands Conference Members recommends that NLS advisory committees meet annually and use alternative means of communication for the meetings to promote vibrant and productive conversation. We also recommend that NLS limit the terms of all committee appointments to a consistent length of time.
Resolution: The Midlands Conference Members requests that NLS consider accepting digital signatures for application certification, such as those allowed by the IRS and other federal governmental agencies.
Resolution: The Midlands Conference Members recommends that NLS compile a list of appropriate braille titles to remove from the collection due to outdated content.
Resolution: The Midlands Conference Members, with deep appreciation and gratitude, wish to thank Sharon Ruda for her work as Chair, Patrice Johnson for her work as Secretary, and Scott Norris for his work as Treasurer.
Respectfully submitted: Will Reed, Chair, Midlands Conference, August 3, 2015