The Efficiency of St. Nicholas Home (SNH) Library Services for Blind and Visually Impaired (BVI) Users: A Case Study

Tengku Rafidatul Akma Tengku Razali, Mohd Hafez Kamarudin, Ramadana Rappice

Abstract


This investigation examines the efficacy of the BVI Special Library in terms of accessibility and user satisfaction. As the number of BVI in Malaysia increased, so did their need for information. The purposes of this research are to: 1) identify the accessibility of the SNH Library among BVI users, which influences the efficacy of the library; and 2) investigate user satisfaction among BVI users, which influences the effectiveness of the library. This study was conducted using a quantitative research survey with a five-part questionnaire, with respondents selected using a straightforward random sampling technique. The questionnaire was administered to a sample of SNH employees and revised accordingly. This study demonstrates that the SNH Library is effective in terms of physical access, as it offers door-to-door services to surmount physical barriers. Still, the SNH Library is ineffectual in terms of user access, as the BVI user has restricted access to the library and obtained materials based on the librarians' recommendations rather than their own interests. They are unable to visualize and comprehend the SNH Library. This research uncovered a number of issues that require further action to ensure that the quantity of information and resources will meet the requirements and expectations of this specific group of users.

Keywords


Blind and Visually Impaired (BVI) Users; Special Library Services; Information & Sources Accessibility;Information Needs

Full Text:

PDF

References


Abdul Latif, A. (2023, January 9). IS BRAILLE STILL RELEVANT? Bernama.

Ann Chapman. (2000). In Vision: The Internet As a Resource for Visually Impaired People. Ariadne Issue 24. http://www.ariadne.ac.uk/issue/24/in-vision/

Atinmo, M. I. (2007). Setting up a computerized catalog and distribution database of alternative format materials for blind and visually impaired persons in Nigeria. Library trends, 55(4), 830-846.

Barata, M., Galih Salman, A., Faahakhododo, I., & Kanigoro, B. (2018). Android based voice assistant for blind people. Library Hi Tech News, 35(6). https://doi.org/10.1108/LHTN-11-2017-0083

Bernama. (2019a, August 31). Malaysia sorely lacking braille facilities, says Society of the Blind. Bernama. https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/490213

Bernama. (2019b, November 28). Blind students not getting books they need. Bernama. https://themalaysianreserve.com/2019/11/28/blind-students-not-getting-books-they-need/

Berntsson, R. 1980. Library services for the visually handicapped. Retrieved from www.emeraldinsight.com

Birgitta Irvall, B., & Skat Nielsen, G. (2005). Access to libraries for persons with disabilities - CHECKLIST.

Bourne, R. R. A., Flaxman, S. R., Braithwaite, T., Cicinelli, M. V., Das, A., Jonas, J. B., Keeffe, J., Kempen, J., Leasher, J., Limburg, H., Naidoo, K., Pesudovs, K., Resnikoff, S., Silvester, A., Stevens, G. A., Tahhan, N., Wong, T., Taylor, H. R., Ackland, P., … Zheng, Y. (2017). Magnitude, temporal trends, and projections of the global prevalence of blindness and distance and near vision impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Global Health, 5(9). https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(17)30293-0

Cardin, S., Thalmann, D., & Vexo, F. (2007). A wearable system for mobility improvement of visually impaired people. Visual Computer, 23(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00371-006-0032-4

Ceipidor, U. B., Medaglia, C. M., & Sciarretta, E. (2010). SeSaMoNet 2.0: Improving a navigation system for visually impaired people. Lecture Notes in Computer Science (Including Subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics), 6439 LNCS. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-16917-5_25

Chang, T. H., Ho, C. J., Hsu, D. C., Lee, Y. H., Tsai, M. S., Wang, M. C., & Hsu, J. (2005). iCane - A partner for the visually impaired. Lecture Notes in Computer Science (Including Subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics), 3823 LNCS. https://doi.org/10.1007/11596042_41

Cherry, N., Chowdhury, M., Haque, R., McDonald, C., & Chowdhury, Z. (2012). Disability among elderly rural villagers: Report of a survey from Gonoshasthaya Kendra, Bangladesh. BMC Public Health, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-379

Craddock, G. (2003). Libbraille: a Portable Library to Easily Access Braille Displays Sébastien Sablé and Dominique Archambault INSERM U483/INOVA-Université Pierre et Marie Curie 9, quai Saint Bernard, 75,252 Paris cedex 05, France. Assistive Technology: Shaping the Future; AAATE'03, 11, 435.

Dandona, L., & Dandona, R. (2006). Revision of visual impairment definitions in the International Statistical Classification of Disease. BMC Medicine, 4. https://doi.org/10.1186/1741-7015-4-7

Deo, S. (2017). An Assessment of User Satisfaction in Academic Libraries: A Case Study of the Fiji National University Library. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2805283

Department of Social Welfare. (2023). Laporan Statistik Tahunan JKM. Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat.

Ferraro, J. G., Mazzoni, L. L., Keeffe, J. E., Vu, H. T., Constantinou, M., & Taylor, H. R. (2006). Evaluation of an eye health program: The vision initiative. Ophthalmic Epidemiology, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/09286580500545717

George, D., & Mallery, P. (2003). SPSS for Windows Step by Step: A Simple Guide and Reference, 11.0 Update. In Boston, MA: Allyn y Bacon.[Links]. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191112446654

Giudice, N. A., Whalen, W. E., Riehle, T. H., Anderson, S. M., & Doore, S. A. (2019). Evaluation of an accessible, real-time, and infrastructure-free indoor navigation system by users who are blind in the mall of america. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 113(2), 140-155.

He, X., & Deng, L. (2017). Deep learning for image-to-text generation: A technical overview. IEEE Signal Processing Magazine, 34(6). https://doi.org/10.1109/MSP.2017.2741510

HMetro. (2011). Lack of reference materials in Braille. Harian Metro. http://www.hmetro.com.my

Jeong, H. (2011). An investigation of user perceptions and behavioral intentions towards the e-library. Library Collections, Acquisition and Technical Services, 35(2–3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lcats.2011.03.018

Kahlisch, T. (2008). DAISY: An opportunity to improve access to information for all: APE 2008 (Academic Publishing in Europe). Information Services and Use, 28(2). https://doi.org/10.3233/ISU-2008-0565

Kim, K.-Y., Kim, S.-Y., & Kim, H.-M. (2012). Study of Analyzing Outcome of Building and Introducing System for Preserving Full-Text of e-Journal. International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology, 2(2), 5–16. https://doi.org/10.5865/ijkct.2012.2.2.005

Kran, B. S., Lawrence, L., Mayer, D. L., & Heidary, G. (2019). Cerebral/Cortical Visual Impairment: A Need to Reassess Current Definitions of Visual Impairment and Blindness. Seminars in Pediatric Neurology, 31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spen.2019.05.005

Li, T., & Zhou, X. (2021). Causes and Five-Year Proportion of New Irreversible Visual Impairment in Jinshan District, Shanghai, from 2009-2018. Journal of Ophthalmology, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/8873283

Lund, E. M., & Cmar, J. L. (2019). A Systematic Review of Factors Related to Employment Outcomes for Adults with Visual Impairments. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 113(6). https://doi.org/10.1177/0145482X19885211

New Straits Times. (2021, January 7). More can be done for the visually impaired. New Straits Times. https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters/2021/01/655107/more-can-be-done-visually-impaired

Okerulu, E. O. (2004). Improving Public Attitude Towards the Blind: The Role of the Library. Nigerian Journal of Clinical and Counselling Psychology, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.4314/njccp.v8i2.23919

Oluwatobi, O., Ehioghae, M., Tk, A.-A., & Onasote, A. O. (2014). Utilization of library resources for effective research output among post graduate students in Adventist university of Africa. Global Advanced Research Journal of Social Science (GARJSS), 3(4).

Pillar, C. (1995). Library services for blind and vision-impaired people in Asia. Asian Libraries, 4(2), 53-62. Retrieved from Academic Source Premier.

Rayini, J. (2017). Library and information services to the visually impaired persons. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal), 1510.

Sachdeva, N., Tuikka, A.-M., Kimppa, K. K., & Suomi, R. (2015). Digital disability divide in information society. Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society, 13(3/4), 283–298. https://doi.org/10.1108/JICES-10-2014-0050

Saez, Y., Montes, H., Garcia, A., Munoz, J., Collado, E., & Mendoza, R. (2021). Indoor navigation technologies based on RFID systems to assist visually impaired people: A review and a proposal. In IEEE Latin America Transactions (Vol. 19, Issue 8). https://doi.org/10.1109/TLA.2021.9475859

Sekaran, U., & Bougie, R. (2013). Research methods for business. In Research methods for business (p. 436).

Sook Hee, K. (2001). Improving Information Service for the Visually Handicapped through IT. Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society, 32(4), 229–256.

Sumathi, G., Dharshan, V., Monishkumar, M., & Raj, A. T. (2022). A Dynamic System to Assist Vision for Visually Challenged. 8th International Conference on Smart Structures and Systems, ICSSS 2022. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICSSS54381.2022.9782184

Tee, Z., Ang, L., & Seng, K. (2010). Smart Guide System to Assist Visually Impaired People in an Indoor Environment. IETE Technical Review, 27(6), 455. https://doi.org/10.4103/0256-4602.68522

Ternenge, T. S., & Agipu, O. L. (2019). Availability and utilization of school library resources in selected secondary schools in Makurdi Metropolis. Library Philosophy and Practice, 2019.

Williamson, K., Schauder, D., & Bow, A. (2000). Information seeking by blind and sight impaired citizens: an ecological study. Information research, 5(4), 5-4.

Yeo, J. S. J., Aurum, A., Handzic, M., & Parkin, P. (2002). When technology is mandatory - Factors influencing users satisfaction. Proceedings - International Conference on Computers in Education, ICCE 2002. https://doi.org/10.1109/CIE.2002.1186140




Copyright (c) 2024 Jurnal ILMI

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), permitting copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format.