A visually impaired person of limited financial means decides in July, 2004, she wants to buy a portable audio player. Wanting to make the best possible decision, she researches all the available portable audio players on the market, assessing their features and drawbacks.

While her primary need for this device is for listening to the spoken word, she would also like to be able to listen to music. Of the many music services available for her to use, she comes to decide that the iTunes music store best meets her needs.

So after several months of weighing her choices, she decides to buy an iPod in January, 2005. In February, 2005, the Fairfax County Public Libraries announces that audio book downloads are now available to the public in Windows Media format. Regrettably, and against the desires of the public library system, these audio books will not play on an iPod.

The issue with the audio books in the Fairfax County Public Libraries is less an issue of mistaken judgment as an issue of flawed process. Had the Fairfax County Public Libraries announced to the public in 2004 that they were thinking of offering downloadable audio books in Windows Media format in 2005, they would have been able to hear feedback from those who would be affected, and would have allowed this visually impaired community member to make a more informed choice in her purchase of a tool that is a vital part in her life.

By not including her within their process, they denied her the chance to make an informed decision in her life.

The Alliance for Technology Access is an organization that connects children and adults with disabilities to technology tools. Was this organization consulted for input by the Fairfax County Public Libraries? As a society, are we able to arrive at wise decisions without engaging in a lot of consultation with each other? In this information age, is it vital that public libraries make wise decisions?