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Article
Publication date: 29 November 2018

Adina Mulliken and Kerry Falloon

The purpose of this paper is to explore a topic where blind participants expressed significant concern: obtaining full text and accessible full text.

3935

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore a topic where blind participants expressed significant concern: obtaining full text and accessible full text.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study includes 18 open-ended telephone interviews with blind academic library users in the USA. The study uses the viewpoint that understanding blind peoples’ perspectives is essential for equal accessibility.

Findings

Locating full text via link resolvers seemed problematic. Inaccessible articles and complications and delays creating accessible versions of print books limited participants’ use of materials. Enabling technologies and services were highlighted.

Research limitations/implications

Caution should be used when generalizing from this study due to its sample size and methodology. The study is not a web accessibility test, which would analyze coding, nor a usability test, which would observe users. Additional research would be ideal; however, libraries should not wait to attend to accessibility.

Practical implications

In addition to improving digital accessibility, to address difficulty obtaining full text, libraries could offer to locate full text for blind users and implement SmartLinking and single sign on authentication. To deal with inaccessible full text, libraries could work with disability offices to obtain accessible materials and to convert materials to accessible format. DRM free HTML or EPUB e-books can have accessibility advantages. Outsourcing conversion to accessible format can also help. Libraries could offer reader service to assist blind users locating relevant sections of books to convert.

Originality/value

Compared to previous studies, this study includes a larger number of blind screen reader users; describes some unique issues; and includes blind users’ own interpretations.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 37 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1995

Ron VanFleet, Virginia Gatcheff Gehrig, Robert White, Russ Thompson, Margaret Bauer, Christine Nowicki, Alicia Spong and Sherry Winters

Brodart Automation offers a wide range of services and products from microcomputer to online. In July 1985, Brodart introduced the first CD‐ROM‐based public access catalog, which…

Abstract

Brodart Automation offers a wide range of services and products from microcomputer to online. In July 1985, Brodart introduced the first CD‐ROM‐based public access catalog, which was designed to compete with COM and online catalogs. Currently, Brodart is applying its creativity to adapting library services to global networks. Its vision and commitment are reflected in the team approach to product development and support.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1996

Mortaza Kokabi

Surveys the evolution and development of MARC formats for the digital encoding of bibliographic data from their beginnings in 1968 at the Library of Congress to the present time…

689

Abstract

Surveys the evolution and development of MARC formats for the digital encoding of bibliographic data from their beginnings in 1968 at the Library of Congress to the present time, with particular emphasis on the development of 17 national formats. Examines the reasons for the divergence of MARC formats from each other as well as the early and recent trends in the development of national MARC formats.

Details

OCLC Systems & Services: International digital library perspectives, vol. 12 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1065-075X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 1995

Mortaza Kokabi

Surveys the evolution and development of MARC formats for thedigital encoding of bibliographic data from their beginnings in 1968 atthe Library of Congress to the present time…

542

Abstract

Surveys the evolution and development of MARC formats for the digital encoding of bibliographic data from their beginnings in 1968 at the Library of Congress to the present time, with particular emphasis on the development of 17 national formats. Examines the reasons for the divergence of MARC formats from each other as well as the early and recent trends in the development of national MARC formats.

Details

Library Review, vol. 44 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0024-2535

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 December 2015

Ramesh Parichi and Faizul Nisha

This paper aims to provide a functional review of Greenstone based on selected criteria, viz., user friendliness, administration, customization, international metadata standards…

1081

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a functional review of Greenstone based on selected criteria, viz., user friendliness, administration, customization, international metadata standards and interoperability, search and browse capabilities, security aspects, statistical reports, unique features and limitations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is solely based on secondary information collected from different sources like books, articles from national and international journal articles, reports of various organizations and local newspapers as well as the resources available in various websites.

Findings

It was observed that the Greenstone on Windows is less robust than the other operating systems such as Linux. It was reported that during the collection building process of some documents, the system hangs and the user has to turn off the browsers and the interfaces, and no alternate method is available to restore normalcy. The software has been reviewed on selected criteria, and it is suggested to use Greenstone Digital Library Management System (DLMS) system as the most suitable and convenient for installation, uploading of documents and usage for small- and medium-type organizations.

Practical implications

This paper would be of great help for library professionals to learn about diverse features available in the software and in selecting the best DLMS.

Originality/value

The Greenstone DLMS is functionally reviewed and analysed based on selected broad criteria, viz., user friendliness, administration, customization, international metadata standards and interoperability, search and browse capabilities, security aspects and statistical functions.

Details

Library Hi Tech News, vol. 32 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0741-9058

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 March 2021

Ceri Binding, Claudio Gnoli and Douglas Tudhope

The Integrative Levels Classification (ILC) is a comprehensive “freely faceted” knowledge organization system not previously expressed as SKOS (Simple Knowledge Organization…

Abstract

Purpose

The Integrative Levels Classification (ILC) is a comprehensive “freely faceted” knowledge organization system not previously expressed as SKOS (Simple Knowledge Organization System). This paper reports and reflects on work converting the ILC to SKOS representation.

Design/methodology/approach

The design of the ILC representation and the various steps in the conversion to SKOS are described and located within the context of previous work considering the representation of complex classification schemes in SKOS. Various issues and trade-offs emerging from the conversion are discussed. The conversion implementation employed the STELETO transformation tool.

Findings

The ILC conversion captures some of the ILC facet structure by a limited extension beyond the SKOS standard. SPARQL examples illustrate how this extension could be used to create faceted, compound descriptors when indexing or cataloguing. Basic query patterns are provided that might underpin search systems. Possible routes for reducing complexity are discussed.

Originality/value

Complex classification schemes, such as the ILC, have features which are not straight forward to represent in SKOS and which extend beyond the functionality of the SKOS standard. The ILC's facet indicators are modelled as rdf:Property sub-hierarchies that accompany the SKOS RDF statements. The ILC's top-level fundamental facet relationships are modelled by extensions of the associative relationship – specialised sub-properties of skos:related. An approach for representing faceted compound descriptions in ILC and other faceted classification schemes is proposed.

Details

Journal of Documentation, vol. 77 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0022-0418

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1994

Charles Farley, Susan Beck and Julia Miller

Geac Computers, Inc. is now in its twenty‐fourth year as a library system supplier. For the past year and a half, Geac has been combining the resources of recently acquired CLSI…

Abstract

Geac Computers, Inc. is now in its twenty‐fourth year as a library system supplier. For the past year and a half, Geac has been combining the resources of recently acquired CLSI with its own to create a “new” Geac, a company focused on developing advanced information systems and superior service programs to meet the needs of libraries for the future. Geac's sole product development and design goal is to provide libraries with the most advanced technology available to enable them to manage and deliver information from a variety of sources worldwide. The measured transition to client/server architecture from the current centralized character‐based design is an example of Geac's adaptation of the latest technology to meet the needs of libraries. Networking is an important component of Geac's systems for the future. As more information becomes available in electronic formats via a variety of networks, it is important that Geac systems provide fast, easy, transparent access to it. The ultimate objective of Geac's client/server and network development is to provide fast, easy access to all types of data, wherever it resides.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 12 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Book part
Publication date: 28 June 1991

Karen Horny

Abstract

Details

Library Technical Services: Operations and Management
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-84950-795-0

Article
Publication date: 20 March 2017

Adam Jerrett, Theo J.D. Bothma and Koos de Beer

Teaching students/library patrons twenty-first century literacies (such as information and library literacies) is important within a library setting. As such, finding an…

1093

Abstract

Purpose

Teaching students/library patrons twenty-first century literacies (such as information and library literacies) is important within a library setting. As such, finding an appropriate manner to teach these skills in a practical manner at tertiary level is important. As vehicles for constructivist learning, games provide a unique opportunity to teach these twenty-first century literacies in an engaging, practical, format. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the implementation of an alternate reality game (ARG) to teach these literacies through gameplay.

Design/methodology/approach

An ARG was designed and developed where the core gameplay tasks taught and exercised twenty-first century literacies. The game, once completed, was then analysed as a case study to determine the effectiveness of the game-based approach to literacy learning.

Findings

Throughout the play of the game, players spent increasingly more time in the library, often using it as a common meeting point during play. Players reported that they learnt or exercised the skills that each game task focussed on, additionally noting that the game-based context made the process of learning and exercising these skills more enjoyable.

Originality/value

The findings suggest that the creation of games, whether real world or digital, may be useful in engaging students/patrons with twenty-first century literacies as well as with their local library. The documentation of a successful ARG to teach twenty-first century literacies provides a model for future research to follow when designing engaging library-oriented games.

Details

Aslib Journal of Information Management, vol. 69 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-3806

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1991

Leslie Rosen

A variety of enabling technologies such as synthetic speech, print enlargement on CRT screens, braille printers and displays, and communications technology has made library…

Abstract

A variety of enabling technologies such as synthetic speech, print enlargement on CRT screens, braille printers and displays, and communications technology has made library operations at the American Foundation for the Blind accessible to persons who are blind or visually impaired. INMAGIC software, a versatile database management system, has automated many library functions and has been integrated with other adaptive technologies. In addition to other applications, INMAGIC is used to update and create bibliographies and accession lists in inkprint, large print, or braille formats (with tape cassette versions available on request). Sidebars discuss the Xerox/Kurzweil Personal Reader (KPR); closed circuit television (CCTV); computers with speech; large print enhancements; Inmagic, Inc.—the company; and, in some depth, the functionality of INMAGIC.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 9 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

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