Use of Braille Library Resources by Specially-Abled Users of Delhi Public Library: A Study

Library Herald

Year : 2024, Volume : 62, Issue : 4

First page : (529) Last page : (541)

Print ISSN : 0024-2292. Online ISSN : 0976-2469.

Article DOI : 10.5958/0976-2469.2024.00038.4

Use of Braille Library Resources by Specially-Abled Users of Delhi Public Library: A Study

Gyandhriti Khargharia1, Manish Kumar2

1 PhD Research Scholar, Department of Library and Information Science, University of Delhi, Delhi, India

2 Associate Professor, Department of Library and Information Science, University of Delhi, Delhi, India

Abstract

The study scrutinized the experience of 125 visually impaired respondents of Delhi Public Library (Lodhi Road), Delhi regarding Braille library resources and services. The results indicated the predominance of male users (66.4%) aged between 21- 30 years (52%) and a majority of the respondents are graduates. The visits to the library on a daily basis are common (26.4%) followed by weekly (24%) and fortnightly (21.6%). Most of the respondents acknowledge the staff awareness about disability issues (88%), about the services provided for disabled users (72%) and their expertise in using assistive technologies (76%). While the maximum responses pertain to the presence of specialized software and ICT equipment (74.4% and 68.8% respectively), the availability of adequate book collection in Braille Script (65.6%); however, discrepancies do occur in the availability of subscribed e- books. The screen reader and Kurzweil 1000 (OCR) Software are mostly preferred (72%), along with other electronic resources. Approximately, 68% respondents express with positivity towards the organization of Information Literacy Programmes. Although a high-level of contentment in library services and amenities (70.4%) can be witnessed, yet the constant challenges, such as, inadequate reference services and limited access to specific resources have become persistent.

Keywords

Braille Library, Public Library Services, Specially-Abled Users, Assistive Technologies, Level of Satisfaction, Delhi Public Library