Responses of readers

H.E.Hamza is a Municipal Government chairman of “Kazakh society of blind” public association branch in Astana city.

H.E.Hamza was awarded the diploma of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Kazakhstan, the Jubilee Medal for the 10^th anniversary of the capital for a good set of work with people with disabilities

I, as chairman of the city branch of public association «Kazakh society of blind», Astana, of all people with eyesight would like to congratulate the 5^th anniversary of our National Academic Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan and thank the Director General of the NABRK Berdigalieva Rosa Amangalieva for understanding the problems of people with disabilities, and particularly people with vision. She was first among the heads of public offices in Astana, who did this. In 2007 the library was opened a beautiful room for people with disabilities with the latest technological developments.

The background is like this: In 2006, 8^th March at the NABRK held a meeting with business lady, by notably people of Astana, organized by Almaty area Akimat. I was invited too at the meeting. Here I first met Rosa Amangalievna and spoke about our concerns. At that time, through the employment and social programs of Astana for us, it was purchased two tiphlocomplexes. In order to work with them, it was necessary to train our people in computer literacy. But who would do and where? Rosa Amangalievna listened carefully to me, to understand our problems. The Director General's decision was not compelled to wait. A few months later in the NABRK has been opened small department at the beginning, and then a spacious, beautiful, luxurious room to work with persons with disabilities. There is very light, beautiful design and decoration. The paintings, flowers, good furniture, unusual and tulle curtains on the windows… All of this creates a comfortable environment for work, talk and communicate what we have lacked.

The main task of the new units is to ensure people with disabilities in the life of equal and free access to information in a convenient form for them, help them to realize themselves in the current social situation, to assist in the formation of attitudes and values. Here are serviced disabilities with visual impairment, hearing and speech, as well as the musculoskeletal system. In order to become a reader of NABRK and get a plastic library card, you need only provide identification. How wonderful that all the services in the hall for us people with disabilities are provided free of charge!

There are all the conditions and providing different services in the hall of readers, to enhance their educational, cultural and spiritual level: the work on a computer tiphlocomplex (it is five in the hall); scanning and reading of flatprint texts with the help of two reading machines, search for literature; preservation of electronic media (diskettes, CD-ROM) the required information, translation and printing of information in Braille and the broad type, providing the necessary information in the form of reading, listening to audio books on MP3 players; obtain advice on the use of equipment, the opportunity to take the audio tapes and CDs at home, learning to read and write boldly-point Braille type, also order the required information by calling. Also there is audioclass in t hall, they are four of them, where hearing impaired can improve their speech. All of these are available and to our families.

Here work two specialists, they are Kamaliden Ospanov and Veronica Balgarskaya. Kamaliden teaches visitors to read Braille. Veronica teaches computer literacy courses, which are in the library. Already twenty-five people with vision received certificates of completion of courses. After these classes readers type edit text themselves, scan them, transfer to electronic media, print text on the Braille printer with aggregated type. With the aim of approximating the books and other sources of information, including multimedia, the user holds a better ability to work on computer. The competition consists of three rounds with the tasks of different levels of complexity.

Our readers are able to attend all the reading rooms NABRK, where there is a huge selection of books, periodicals, books, electronic media, access to electronic libraries and databases, online catalogues. It is also possible to use electronic publications, textbooks, books and periodicals on CD-Rom, interactive training courses and much more. And yet, an important point is halls booklets, information about services for people with visual impairment are printed in relief-point font.

I want to emphasize that in the NABRK we feel comfort as at home. Here we learn a lot of new information, read books, listen to CDs, communicate. There are organized excursions to the library for us. The personal is very friendly, tells us about his work with interest, about exhibitions, new books. And here we realize that we are not isolated from the outside world. Every time we participate in all events of library. For example, since 2007 we have participated in the action «One country, one book». This year, by tradition, we will hold loud reading «Zhan Sozi». We will read poems of Magzhan Zhumabayev, acquainted with his work.

Our disabilities like activities, such as the evening presentation of new book «It is all about love», a competition for the best possession of computer skills.

Thank you Berdigalieva Rosa Amangalivna, NABRK personal for their understanding and support. All of you, I address these words «Zhaksinin zhaksiligin ayt, nuri tassin»!

Telephone numbers for information: 28-50-44, 24-19-46

E-mail: V.Balgarskaya@nabrk.kz