Emerging services for the visually impaired in academic libraries

Abstract

This study sought to investigate access services that are presented to visually impaired users in academic libraries. There is a clear lack of digital resources and assistive technology in serving disabled/blind users in both libraries. Based on Mann-Whitney U-test results and p-value, there were similarities in website and databases accessibility and significant differences in providing some types of digital materials to visually impaired users. It is recommended that libraries have to continually adapt to the constantly turning cycles of technology in terms of major technology trends such as open-source software, mobile technology, and voice-activated technology. The world needs to see libraries deploying the latest phase of change because users increasingly engaged with services through voice-activated technologies like Alexa, Google Home, Cortana, etc. in addition to the current larger-scale technology that is essentially relevant to the libraries, like integrated library systems (ILS), library services platforms (LSP), customers discovery services (CDS), and e-book lending technologies