Course:LIBR559A/Eggett, C. (2002)

Citation:

Eggett, C. (2002). Assistive technology needs in public libraries: a survey. Journal Of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 96(8), 549-557.

Annotation:

While this article is 15 years old as of 2017, the principles behind it are still important. The purpose of the article is to raise awareness of the fact that libraries need to provide equal access to visually impaired people. In the article, Colleen Eggett presents the findings of a needs assessment of 4,939 Utah State Library for the Blind and Disabled (USLB) users. This needs assessment asked USLB users about whether or not they would use adaptive technology for the visually or physically impaired if that technology were available at a their local public library (549).

Eggett shows that in 2000 there were close to 10 million people with visual impairments, but only 1.5 million of those over the age of 15 used assistive technology to gain access to computers. The majority of these used visually enhanced adaptations, while less than 200,000 used non visual AT. Utah itself had only 32,000 residents with visual of physical impairments that prevented them from reading typical font sizes. Eggett notes that most of the visually impaired are over 65 and that nationally the numbers of this group should dramatically increase as baby boomers become older (549-50).

USLB’s survey was sent only to users of the Library as government databases were not maintained and the use of said databases might impinge on privacy rights. The survey, once approved, was published in large-print format with a braille version available on request. It was delivered via the postal service. Respondents had the option of responding by mail for free or by telephone (551-2). Highlights of the results showed that 1/3rd of respondents would use AT at a public library if it were available. It appeared that regular users of the USLB were more positive towards the prospect. Only 10% of those who did not use public libraries said they would do so if AT were available. Older users were slightly more likely to use public library AT than younger users (552-4).

Egget suggests that the biggest factors regarding AT use at public libraries are access and awareness and that computer use and AT use are generational. Thus, the need for AT increases over time (555). Eggett concludes with by stating that AT services should be available locally, that the existence and value of AT in libraries should be promoted to the public, and that libraries should provide instructional programs in AT is essential since most staff members and users are unaware of the technology (555-6).

This article is important to public libraries that are interested in providing AT services. Eggett's conclusion is debatable since the majority of USLB's users were not interested in using AT in a public library. Unfortunately, while she was accurate in the older users will likely be more interested in using AT in public libraries, she tended to be overly enthusiastic in asserting that awareness of AT for the visually impaired in public libraries would dramatically increase library usage of the visually impaired. The results suggested only a slight increase in users as the majority of non-users that knew of AT at public libraries were not even interested in using the technology.

Page Author: Manfred Nissley