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Article
Publication date: 7 April 2015

Shailendra Kumar and Gareema Sanaman

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse the challenges faced by blind/vision-impaired users during the web access in the leading academic and special libraries of Delhi, India.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the challenges faced by blind/vision-impaired users during the web access in the leading academic and special libraries of Delhi, India.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey methodology has been used as the basic research tool for data collection with the help of questionnaire. A total of 125 users surveyed in all the five libraries are selected randomly on the basis of willingness of the users to participate in the survey with the experience of working in digital environment. The survey results were tabulated and analysed with descriptive statistics methods using Excel software and “Stata version 11”.

Findings

There are various barriers faced by blind/vision-impaired users in the libraries of Delhi (India) during the “web access” with the help of assistive technologies as assistive technology like “Screen Readers” available today are “somewhat compatible” with the web. The facility of “web-based catalogue” is generally lacking in Delhi libraries.

Research limitations/implications

The paper does not offer a comprehensive set of web accessibility issues, concentrating instead on the most common problems as epitome of this study.

Practical implications

The paper raises awareness of web accessibility issues in libraries of Delhi, India.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the web accessibility issues faced by blind/vision-impaired users of leading academic and special libraries of India including the users’ recommendations for the accessible web page/website design for the first time.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 33 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 November 2012

Manisha Singh and Gareema Sanaman

This paper aims to study the open source integrated library management systems, i.e. Koha and NewGenLib, to inform librarians about what considerations to make when choosing an…

6285

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to study the open source integrated library management systems, i.e. Koha and NewGenLib, to inform librarians about what considerations to make when choosing an open source integrated library management system (ILMS) for their library.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a detailed comparative analysis of both types of software, i.e. Koha (3.2.4) and NewGenLib (3.0), which are undertaken in the study. The methodology used for the study is “Evaluation method” which is followed with the help of structured evaluation checklist prepared after the thorough study of reference tools, reference statistical data available and related literature. Both types of software are evaluated and compared qualitatively and quantitatively.

Findings

Both types of software are web‐enabled and support library automation. Koha has more specific characteristics of open source ILMS. Koha needs to upgrade, modify and improve its features. Koha requires very little hardware and is easy to install. Koha has advanced database features. NewGenLib has better functionality of modules than Koha. More formats and standards are supported by Koha. Digital library functionality of NewGenLib is more specific in terms of technology, data structure and programming. Also NewGenLib provides more user help and support whereas Koha provides more user‐friendly downloads and a documentation facility. NewGenLib has more enhanced features which are significant for ILMS while selecting software for automation.

Practical implications

The comparative analysis of the open source ILMS done in the study will help librarians in making necessary considerations while choosing an open source software for the library.

Originality/value

The paper presents a detailed evaluative study carried out using a comprehensive checklist designed for the study.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 30 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

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