LIBRARY SERVICES TO DISABLED STUDENTS IN THE DIGITAL ERA: CHALLENGES FOR OUTCOME ASSESSMENT

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to explore the use of electronic resources by disabled library users in south-east Nigeria. A survey method using interview style data collection method was deemed appropriate than administering a questionnaire. The interview was done by colleagues in the studied universities. All of the disabled student users were requested to participate in the study. Using interview style method, 194 disabled library users made up of 101 visually impaired and 93 mobility challenged provided the data. Findings showed that the only electronic resources available to visually impaired library users are taped books and online public access catalogue (OPAC). It was also found that all the listed items for the mobility challenged were not available in any of the studied universities. For the visually impaired, the findings favoured all the listed items except “Tactile Graphic” as been relevant to their use of electronic resources. The respondents perceived among others that libraries were established to serve only non-disabled users and that there is inadequate knowledge of the needs of those who do not or cannot use the library. Findings also reveals that cost of buying and equipping electronic resources for disabled students, most electronic resources are designed for normal users were mentioned as constraints. Analysis showed that people living with disabilities should be included in the system design that will facilitate universal accessibility and usability among others. Recommendations were also made

Preservation of Cultural Heritage: The Strategic Role of the Library and Information Science Professionals in South East Nigeria

One of the primary problems confronting library profession today is lack of commitment by the available human resources, particularly, in the areas of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and preservation of resources on cultural heritage. The exploitation of knowledge as warranted by the increasing technological interventions are adding new dimension to education and thus making training an essential ingredient to most human development endeavours. This paper seeks to look at the various forms of professional training received by library and information science professionals, the available resources on cultural heritage in libraries and information centres, methods of their preservation and the problems confronting these institutions in their provision of access to and preservation of these cultural heritages. Structured questionnaire was designed and administered to 66 library and information science professionals in the sampled institutions. The findings revealed that formal education, seminars, workshops, on-the-job training and job rotations are the major forms of training. Artifacts, images from books, songs and photographic slides were the major cultural heritage available in the institutions studied. The major constraints to ease of access and effective preservation of the heritage identified by the study were cost of digitization, inadequate infrastructural facilities and trained manpower. Based on the highlighted findings and problems, some recommendations were made