Blind academic library users’ experiences with obtaining full text and accessible full text of books and articles in the USA: A qualitative study
ISSN: 0737-8831
Article publication date: 29 November 2018
Issue publication date: 13 September 2019
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.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the participants for sharing their experiences and Rebecca Arzola, Assistant Professor and Government Documents Librarian at Lehman College, CUNY; Stephanie Havelka previously Associate Professor and Web and Mobile Services Librarian, Lehman College, CUNY, now PhD Candidate in Information Science, Auckland, New Zealand; and Ron Bissessar, Student Services Manager at Baruch College, CUNY, Student Disability Services for their assistance reviewing and discussing this paper. Adina would like to thank Professional Staff Congress (PSC)–CUNY for providing funding which covered transcription, gift certificates for participants, and partial editing services. Kerry would like to thank the College of Staten Island Library’s vendor representatives, Amy Levine Senior Account Executive EBSCO Information Services and H.T. Sun, Senior Product Manager, ProQuest Books for their personal communication. Finally, Adina would like to thank the late Dan Cherubin, former Chief Librarian at Hunter College, for his strong support for this project. Any errors are the responsibility of the authors.
Citation
Mulliken, A. and Falloon, K. (2019), "Blind academic library users’ experiences with obtaining full text and accessible full text of books and articles in the USA: A qualitative study", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 37 No. 3, pp. 456-479. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-08-2017-0177
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited