Cheryl Riley

Libraries, aggregator databases, screen readers and clients with disabilities

Three aggregator databases, EBSCOhost, InfoTrac, and First Search Electronic Collections Online (ECO), were analyzed for compliance with the Web accessibility guidelines published by the Web Access Initiative section of the World Wide Web Consortium. A sighted librarian then used each database with JAWS for Windows 3.7, OpenBook 5.0, ZoomText 7.0, and the L&H Kurzweil 1000 and 3000. Results indicate that JAWS for Windows 3.7 works best for the blind, and that ZoomText 7.0 is acceptable for those needing screen magnification. None of the databases tested offers a perfect accessibility option for clients with visual impairment. Conclusions suggest that aggregator databases do not follow the accessibility guidelines and consequently are not supplying accessible products.

Reality Check: Barriers to Accessibility in an ADA-Compliant Library

ABSTRACT The James C. Kirkpatrick Library, a new, thirty-million-dollar facility, opened in 1999. Unlike the old library, this building was designed to be ADA-compliant. Staff members have since learned that having an ADA-compliant building does not ensure an accessible environment and resources. Two librarians identified possible problems in the building. They then invited two students, one with a visual disability and one with a mobility impairment, to tour the facility with them. The students identified barriers they encountered as library users. Most of the barriers pointed out by students had been anticipated, but not all. This article identifies accessibility concerns and proposed solutions. Many remedies simply require educating library personnel about accessibility problems and training them to make appropriate responses.

Deacidification of journals : Saving the past and present for the future-you mean publishers aren't using alkaline paper?

Summary Jeanne and Kristine provided a historical overview of the paper deterioration process, summaries of surveys examining the pH of journals and monographs, and four different types of deacidification processes. The deacidification program at the Milton S. Eisenhower Library at Johns Hopkins University is presented in detail. Particular emphasis is placed on the workflow at the library and the procedures used at the deacidification facility. The four steps of the deacidification workflow are: identification, deacidification, recording the action in the library management system, and physically marking the volumes. The challenges at the Eisenhower library are keeping in-house costs low and limiting user-impact.

Serving the textbook needs of international students through course reserves

ABSTRACT The University of Central Missouri has experienced a 1,498% increase in students from India since 2012. These international students utilize interlibrary loan to request textbooks at a rate not evident in other student population groups. Their search for course textbooks impacted librarians, staff, and student workers at public desks and on chat as well as the interlibrary loan staff as requests were placed for the titles. In an effort to help meet the demand for textbooks by this student group, the library has implemented a textbook reserves program for the texts needed in the most popular classes.