BOOKSHARE.ORG VOLUNTEER JOB DESCRIPTION

Bookshare.org volunteers will help create an Internet-based library through which members of the blind, visually impaired and reading disabled communities can legally share scanned publications.

Volunteers will scan, review, and edit books submitted by the Bookshare.org community of members and supporters. Volunteers will play a critical role in ensuring the quality of the Bookshare.org collection.

Activities

Bookshare.org volunteers will:

1. Use common scanning devices to translate paper-based publications into digital formats.
2. Convert digital books into various file formats using personal computer-based tools.
3. Review digital books for completeness, suitability, formatting, and spelling.
4. Use various web-based tools provided by Bookshare.org to process books for download availability.
5. Write and edit book summaries and reviews.
6. Assess the quality of submitted books and assign a quality rating based on previously determined criteria.
7. Determine if submitted books meet Bookshare.org standards and reject those that do not.
8. Assign books to appropriate subject categories.
9. Complete book validations in a timely manner.
10. Review and edit author information for correctness and accuracy.
11. Scan any material that they upload to the Bookshare.org server for harmful computer viruses.
12. Other related duties as assigned by Bookshare.org manager.

Volunteers may:

1. Edit submitted books with a word processor or text editor in order to bring text closer to the form in which the owner or publisher originally made the material available. Such changes include, but are not limited to, correcting errors caused by the Optical Character Recognition process, or adding format information such as page breaks.
2. Determine, by referring to a reliable source document, if submitted publications are copyrighted or public domain.
3. Determine if books with an excessive amount of profane or obscene language are valid submittals and, if so, whether they should be accessible by minors from Bookshare.org.
4. Research publication information, such as author, title, and ISBN number from various websites or off-line sources.
5. Assist the Volunteer Administrator in recruiting or coordinating other volunteers.

Qualifications and Required Skills:

1. Volunteer must have signed a volunteer agreement, or otherwise expressly assented to its terms, or if volunteer is under 18, the volunteer's parent or guardian must do so.
2. Volunteers must be able to read and write in English.
3. Volunteers must have basic computer skills, including at a minimum, a web browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape. Word processor skills, such as Microsoft Word, or a text editor such as Notepad may be necessary for some tasks.
4. Volunteers not physically located on the BENETECH premises will need regular access to the following (other software, when mentioned, may also be appropriate, but Bookshare.org cannot guarantee that it will be supported):
   
   • A personal computer with a Windows 98 or above operating system
   • Access to the Internet for both email and web browsing
   • A web browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape

Optional Skills:

1. Knowledge of adaptive technology applications such as Openbook, WYNN, and Kurzweil.
2. Knowledge of scanning applications such as OmniPage.
3. Familiarity with manipulating various file formats including ASCII, HTML, RTF, and others.
4. Editorial/Proofreading experience.

Volunteers are prohibited from:

1. Using any content, including but not limited to, book texts, reviews, summaries, and user information for personal purposes.
2. Distributing Bookshare.org content by any means including email, Internet, or hard copy, to any individual or organization other than Bookshare.org.
3. Altering book content during the validation process in any way except for formatting, spelling corrections, and other cosmetic changes
4. Changing the book content in ways that make the material less like the form in which the owner or publisher originally made the material available.
5. Corresponding or communicating directly with Bookshare.org users, except in the case of communicating with Bookshare.org volunteers by request of the Bookshare.org Volunteer Coordinator.
6. Knowingly submitting material that contains any type of harmful computer virus.

Volunteers must agree to only submit material that:

1. Are books or other content that is appropriate to be added to the Bookshare.org collection
2. Are reviews that accurately describe Bookshare.org content.

The submittal of inappropriate content may result in dismissal from the volunteer program and may result in Bookshare.org user and/or membership privileges being revoked.

Volunteers who use their own equipment are responsible for their equipment and its maintenance. Bookshare.org cannot reimburse volunteers for any expenses associated with Bookshare.org without prior written approval from an authorized Bookshare.org manager.