Search results

1 – 10 of 35
Per page
102050
Citations:
Loading...
Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 1 December 2002

Axel Schmetzke

The previous special‐theme issue of Library Hi Tech (Vol. 20 No. 2) focused mainly on a variety of specific information resources commonly provided by libraries: online catalogs…

887

Abstract

The previous special‐theme issue of Library Hi Tech (Vol. 20 No. 2) focused mainly on a variety of specific information resources commonly provided by libraries: online catalogs, electronic indexes and databases, e‐journals and online references works. This issue deals with accessibility issues, as they emerge in the library and education environment, which are not specifically tied to particular vendor‐supplied information products.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 20 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 1 March 2001

Axel Schmetzke

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that library programs and services must be accessible to people with disabilities. In an era in which much information resides…

4019

Abstract

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that library programs and services must be accessible to people with disabilities. In an era in which much information resides in digitalized form on the WWW, the ADA’s mandate must be interpreted as applying not only to physical space but also to cyberspace. Just as in the physical world, proper design is a crucial issue. Only accessibly designed Web pages ensure that all people, including those with print disabilities, have access to Web‐based information. Previous studies indicate that a large proportion of campus and university library Web pages are not accessible. This study looks at the universities that, according to US News & World Report, have the nation’s 24 most highly ranked schools of library and information science (SLIS). The findings give cause for concern. It is reasonable to assume that low Web page accessibility at the nation’s leading library schools reflects a lack of awareness about this issue among the leaders and trainers in the library profession.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 19 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 1 June 2002

Axel Schmetzke

To a large extent, disability is a social construct. Whether individuals with “disabilities” can pursue independent and fulfilling lives is not so much a matter of their…

1439

Abstract

To a large extent, disability is a social construct. Whether individuals with “disabilities” can pursue independent and fulfilling lives is not so much a matter of their particular internal conditions as a question of enabling or disabling external factors put in place by society. This special theme issue aims to bridge the current information gap concerning the accessibility of the various electronic resources that make up today’s online library environment.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 20 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 27 November 2007

David Comeaux and Axel Schmetzke

Only properly designed web sites are accessible to people with print disabilities. The purpose of this paper is to follow up on earlier investigations of this kind by looking at…

4542

Abstract

Purpose

Only properly designed web sites are accessible to people with print disabilities. The purpose of this paper is to follow up on earlier investigations of this kind by looking at the web sites of all 56 ALA‐accredited library schools, and of the libraries on these campuses.

Design/methodology/approach

Bobby 3.1.1 was used to evaluate compliance with major accessible web design guidelines. In addition, key web pages were checked manually for the presence of skip‐navigation components, and the sites' re‐design status was ascertained. The results were presented in the form of basic descriptive statistics, including percentages of Bobby‐approved pages and the average number of barriers per page. Correlations of the current accessibility data with older data sets and with library school ratings were also calculated.

Findings

The results indicate that despite an increase in accessibility, only 50 to 60 per cent of the web sites were free of Bobby‐detectable errors. Canadian sites were more accessible than US sites. Contrary to previous findings, recently redesigned sites tended to be more accessible. Highly ranked sites also tended to have higher accessibility scores. US sites showed a random‐like up‐and‐down movement in accessibility status between 2002 and 2006.

Research limitations/implications

The collected data reflect compliance with only a subset of accessible design principles.

Practical implications

More education and continued advocacy is needed to increase web accessibility at libraries and library schools and to help establish library schools as models of program accessibility.

Originality/value

This is the only study that provides trend information about the accessibility of a broader set of library and library school web sites.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 25 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 1 March 2013

Dave Comeaux and Axel Schmetzke

The purpose of this paper is to present longitudinal data on the accessibility of 56 North American academic library web sites, as well as insights into the connection between…

3984

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present longitudinal data on the accessibility of 56 North American academic library web sites, as well as insights into the connection between accessibility and certain design methods and technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

Bobby 3.1.1 was used to evaluate compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0. Also studied were the main method of page layout (CSS versus HTML tables), whether a content management system was used, and whether skip‐navigation links were employed.

Findings

The percentage of Bobby‐approved pages has remained consistent around 60 per cent in 2010 and 2012. However, the percentage of errors per page, a metric more sensitive to the pervasiveness of accessibility barriers, has steadily and significantly decreased. Sites whose layouts are built with cascading style sheets have fewer errors per page than those that use tables for layout. Sites that use a CMS have considerably higher percentages of approved pages and fewer errors per page than sites that are not built with a CMS.

Research limitations/implications

The principal tool used, Bobby 3.1.1, is capable of detecting only a subset of accessible design principles. Future studies should examine compliance with the newer WCAG 2.0 guidelines.

Practical implications

The use of a content management system may have a positive impact on accessibility. While this study reveals some promising trends, more education and continued advocacy is needed to increase web accessibility at libraries.

Originality/value

This is the only study that provides up‐to‐date trend information about the accessibility of a broader set of academic library web sites (a set not limited to one state) over an extended time period. It is also the only accessibility study comparing academic library web sites that use a content management system to those that do not.

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 27 November 2007

Axel Schmetzke

The purpose of this article is to introduce the themed section, “Accessibility”, of this special Library Hi Tech issue.

1085

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to introduce the themed section, “Accessibility”, of this special Library Hi Tech issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explains the philosophical underpinnings of the concept of disability and provides an overview of the contributed papers.

Findings

By necessity, article collections on online accessibility, such as this special issue, need to be selective.

Practical implications

Librarians are partially responsible for putting in place conditions that are either enabling or disabling to library users.

Originality/value

This paper introduces the theme of this special Library Hi Tech issue.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 25 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Book part
Publication date: 14 December 2015

Axel Schmetzke

The author takes a comprehensive look at the accessibility of e-resources for all people, including those with disabilities, in the context of collection development (CD).

Abstract

Purpose

The author takes a comprehensive look at the accessibility of e-resources for all people, including those with disabilities, in the context of collection development (CD).

Methodology/approach

Employing a combination of research methodologiespolicy analysis, content analysis, and phone survey—the author explores the extent to which the needs of people with disabilities are considered.

Findings

Several professional library organizations recommend accessibility-sensitive selection and procurement procedures. However, not all students enrolled in library school programs might learn about the issue. Few books on the subject cover the issue adequately. Nationwide, CD policies requiring conformance to accessibility standards are the exception; and when librarians meet to make decisions about the selection of specific e-resources, the needs of people with disabilities are rarely on their radar screens.

Research limitations/implications

Researchers conducting similar surveys in the future might want to not only select a statistically more representative sample of academic libraries but also widen their focus and include both accessibility and usability in their investigations.

Practical implications

Textbook authors and course instructors in the area of CD need to address accessibility and usability. Librarians need to raise the issue with database and e-book vendors during license negotiations.

Social implications

The acquisition of e-resources designed to be accessible and usable for all will enable people with disabilities to participate more fully in our information-driven society.

Originality/value

The data collected provide for a broad discussion of the extent to which the needs of people with disabilities are considered in connection with CD.

Details

Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities and the Inclusive Future of Libraries
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78560-652-6

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 27 November 2007

Michael Providenti and Robert Zai

The purpose of this paper is to provide an update on the implementation of web accessibility guidelines at Kentucky academic library web sites.

995

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an update on the implementation of web accessibility guidelines at Kentucky academic library web sites.

Design/methodology/approach

The academic library home pages of Bachelor‐degree granting institutions of Kentucky were tested for accessibility compliance using an online automated program. In addition, a series of manual accessibility tests were performed. Data were collected on errors against accessibility guidelines for each site. Data collected in 2003 were compared to data collected in 2007.

Findings

The number of library home pages complying with basic accessibility guidelines is increasing. However, most sites that score well are built to comply with checkpoints that can be tested automatically. Few institutions included accessibility features which required manual verification.

Research limitations/implications

This study relies largely on data collected with an imperfect accessibility‐checking software program. Some accessibility checkpoints can appear to be satisfied using automated accessibility tests despite the presence of accessibility barrier beings. Also, minor errors against accessibility guidelines are not distinguished from major accessibility barriers.

Practical implications

This study provides an impetus for web developers to aim higher than the automated accessibility checkpoints. It demonstrates a limited number of manual accessibility checkpoints that can be objectively tested.

Originality/value

This paper looks beyond accessibility guidelines that can be tested automatically to see if accessibility guidelines for which manual tests must be performed are being implemented. This study is one of the very few published follow‐up studies of web accessibility.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 25 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 1 April 1998

Axel Schmetzke

Foreign Internet search services are unknown to most North American users. Focusing on German search services, Schmetzke investigates four hypotheses pertaining to the potential…

130

Abstract

Foreign Internet search services are unknown to most North American users. Focusing on German search services, Schmetzke investigates four hypotheses pertaining to the potential utility of these services for North American users interested in country‐ or language‐specific resources. He concludes that only for subject directory‐based searches are German services superior. For keyword searches, U.S.‐based Altavista is the tool of choice. No German search engine was found to be consistently superior to Altavista in the indexing of German resources, to be better equipped to limit queries to German‐language sources, and to deal more effectively with problems posed by special characters.

Details

Reference Services Review, vol. 26 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0090-7324

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 27 November 2007

Axel Schmetzke

The purpose of this paper is to take a critical view at leadership of the American Library Association (ALA) and discuss the extent to which its policies promote, or fail to…

815

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to take a critical view at leadership of the American Library Association (ALA) and discuss the extent to which its policies promote, or fail to promote, a barrier‐free online library environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Analyses selected ALA policies, and examines the degree to which accessibility advocating groups within ALA participate in the process of policy making.

Findings

Several ALA policies and guidelines dealing with digital resources neglect to address the needs of users with disabilities. The organizations within ALA that are advocates for people with disabilities, particularly the Libraries Serving Special Populations Section (LSSPS) and the Accessibility Assembly, fail to pay attention to policy development in other ALA branches.

Practical implications

Suitable ALA organizations should establish a clearinghouse providing easy access to vendor‐supplied information as well as pointers to data collected by independent researchers. Advocates for people with disabilities within ALA need to band together and put in place an organizational structure (a kind of watchdog group) that enables them to systematically monitor, and, if deemed necessary, to respond to the policies and guidelines drafted by other ALA groups.

Originality/value

This is the only article that takes a critical view at ALA's leadership and discusses the extent to which ALA's policies promote, or fail to promote, a barrier‐free online library environment.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 25 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

1 – 10 of 35
Per page
102050