Search results

Some of the usability and accessibility problems of search interfaces emanate from poorly organized search results, where different types of metadata are employed. Metadata is important to make well-informed selection of resources. However, putting too much of it on search interfaces could be counterproductive. Therefore, studies suggest that metadata-related decisions need to be informed by user requirements. The purpose of this paper is to explore library metadata from usability and accessibility perspectives. It identifies search-related problems users with print disability face and explores how metadata-related decisions could be tailored to improve their experience in resource discovery and access.

A questionnaire was posted online for two months. It targeted people with print disability who are using the audiobook app Lydhør. It was finally possible to gather responses from 113 respondents. Two open-ended questions dealing with search and metadata issues were selected for qualitative analysis.

Most respondents mentioned the Lydhør’s intolerance to spelling errors as a problem. Some suggested the use of faceted metadata, such as genres, for exploratory search to offset frustration caused by spelling errors. Most respondents indicated the importance of summaries to be shown among search results, implying their significance for lookup searches. There have been few demands related to accessibility metadata.

This study could be a valuable input for inclusive/universal design of library search interfaces.

Accessibility metadata has been a recurring theme in recent efforts aimed at promoting accessibility of information and communication technology solutions to all, regardless of their disabilities, cultural differences, language, etc. The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential of accessibility metadata in improving knowledge discovery and access in digital library environments, discuss developments in creating accessibility terms for resource description, and attempt to relate those developments to the overall purpose of universal design to finally recommend points for improvement.

This is an exploratory study based on review of selected literature and documentations made available by metadata projects. Search for related literature was made using Google Scholar, EBSCO, and Web of Science Databases using terms and combination of terms such as “universal design and metadata,” “accessibility metadata,” “inclusive design,” and “metadata and digital libraries.” Some documentation on metadata projects were obtained through e-mail correspondences.

The overall discussion shows that accessibility metadata can be instrumental in exposing accessible resources to search engines and in augmenting library resource discovery tools for the benefit of users with disabilities. Accessibility metadata would help users to quickly discover materials that fit their needs. However, the notion of indexing resources by their accessibility attributes remains an area that needs further exploration.

The paper gives emphasis to the importance of metadata research in universal design endeavors. It also provides recommendations for practical applications that would improve accessibility in digital library environments.

This study aims to empirically validate the LibWebSQ measurement scale. In addition, it investigates the relationship between perceived web-based service quality and three other latent constructs, namely, user satisfaction, service value and user loyalty.

A quantitative survey design was used to collect the data. Structural equation modeling was used to determine the influence of web-based service quality on the three latent constructs. The respondents were students, academic staff and non-academic staff from two federal universities in the North-western zone of Nigeria.

The findings of the path analysis indicate that perceived web-based service quality and service value exhibit no statistically significant direct influence on user loyalty. However, user satisfaction has a direct positive influence on user loyalty, and it also mediates the relationship between web-based service quality and user loyalty to the library.

The LibWebSQ is a reliable and valid scale to be used in Nigerian university libraries for web-based service quality measurement. User loyalty in academic libraries can be modelled as a result of service quality and user satisfaction

This study provides a means of assessing web-based library service quality and further improving the policy and practice in university libraries.

This is the first attempt to assess web-based library service quality using the LibWebSQ measurement scale. A satisfactory model fit is obtained, which allows the measurement model to be integrated with service value, user satisfaction and user loyalty. The study contributes to the conceptualization of web-based library service quality.