Browse > Article
http://dx.doi.org/10.1633/JISTaP.2014.2.2.4

Information Provision to the Visually Impaired in Alternative Formats in Nigeria: Are Public Libraries Up to the Task?  

Adetoro, 'Niran (Department of Library and Information Science Tai Solarin University of Education)
Publication Information
Journal of Information Science Theory and Practice / v.2, no.2, 2014 , pp. 48-58 More about this Journal
Abstract
Public libraries provide information to all persons and its users are the inhabitants of the community it serves. This may not be the reality in some cases as some category of persons may not be properly served by the public library. This study assesses the provision of information materials in alternative format, in terms of its availability, access and level of use by the visually impaired in public libraries in southwestern Nigeria. The study adopted survey research design. Four (4) public libraries in four states were purposively selected because they are the ones that provide alternative format for the use of a sizable number of the visually impaired. Complete enumeration was used to capture all the 166 registered users of the libraries through the use of observations checklist and interview schedule. Data from 69.2% of the 166 visually impaired persons that were interviewed, and the observations made were analyzed. The result reveals that alternative formats availability were inadequate and, e-resources were not available while access to formats and information desired by the users were limited. Braille is the most utilized format; audio materials and large prints were seldom used. The demand for alternative formats is high but it is not related to level of use of materials. Provision of information materials in alternative formats for the visually impaired in public libraries cannot support the needs of the visually impaired; it requires intervention from all stakeholders. The study recommends improved investment and funding for public libraries and services to persons with disabilities.
Keywords
Public Libraries; Information Provision; Visually Impaired; Alternative Format; Nigeria;
Citations & Related Records
연도 인용수 순위
  • Reference
1 Roth, H. (1991). Planning Information Services in the disability field: Some steps. Link Up, 66, February.
2 Nguyen, T. B. (2005). Achieving inclusion through partnership services for the blind in the public libraries of Vietnam: Making Vietnamese public libraries more accessible to visually impaired people. 71st IFLA General Conference and Council, Oslo, August 14-18.
3 Owen, V. (2000). Library provision for visually impaired in UK and Canada: National Service and international cooperation. Alexandria, 12(12), 71-80.   DOI
4 Owino, O. (1995). Providing reading materials for the visually handicapped in Kenya. African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science, 5(1), 39-46.
5 Share the Vision. (1996). Memorandum of Association of Share the Vision [Libraries] Limited. Document submitted to Companies House to comply with the Companies Acts 1985 to 1989. Stockport, England.
6 Stefanova, D.N. (1997). Bulgarian libraries bridging Information gaps to disadvantaged Persons. 63rd IFLA General Conference, August 31 - September 5. Retrieved from http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla63/63sted.htm
7 Tank, E. (2000). The digital society's challenge to the library for the blind. IFLA Publications, 102, 167-172.
8 Williamson K., Schauder, D., & Bow, A. (2000). Information Seeking by blind and sight impaired citizens: An ecological study. Information Research, 5(4). Retrieved from http://informationr.net/ir/5-4/paper79.html
9 IFLA. (2001). The public library service: IFLA/UNESCO Guidelines for development. Retrieved from http://www.ifla.org/VII/58/proj/publ97.pdf
10 Edwards, B.J., & Lewis, S. (1998). The use of technology in programs for students with visual impairment in Florida. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 92, 302-312.
11 Griebel, R. (2000). Partnering services between public libraries and library services for the blind: A Canadian experience. 66th IFLA council and general conference, Jerusalem, August 13-18.
12 Harris, C., & Oppenheim, C. (2003). The provision of library services for visually impaired students in UK further education libraries in response to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (SENDA). Journal of Librarianship and Information, 35(4), 243-257.   DOI
13 IFLA/UNESCO. (1994). UNESCO Public library manifesto. The Hague: United Nations. Retrieved from www.unesco.org/webworld/librarias/manifestos/librarian.html
14 Moore, N. (2000). Review of research of the information needs of visually impaired people. London: RNIB. Retrieved from http://www.rnib.org.uk/research/review.html.
15 John-Okeke, R., & Owoeye, J. (2011). An overview of public library services in Lagos State, Nigeria. In L.O. Aina et al, (Eds.), Information for all: Strategies for National Development. Proceedings of 49th National conference and Annual general meeting of Nigeria Library Association (NLA), Awka July 10-11 (pp. 33-52).
16 Kavanagh, R. (2005). Transforming libraries for the blind in the learning culture of the information age. The role of International Federation of Library Association (IFLA) and the World Blind Union (WBU). World Blind Union Fifth General Assembly. Retrieved from http://www.cnib.ca/eng/national/wbu_fifth assembly/speeches/literacy_cultive.com.
17 Kinnell, M., Yu, L., & Creaser, C. (2000). Public library services for visually impaired people. Library and Information Commission research report 71. STV/LIC Programme report 5. Loughborough, LISU. Retrieved from http://mla.gov.uk/information/legacy/lic_pubs/executivesummaries/rr071.htm
18 Morgan, G. (2003). A word in your ear: Library service for print disabled readers in the digital age. The Electronic Library, 21(3), 234-236.   DOI   ScienceOn
19 N'gang'a, S.K. (2003). Why deliver services to print handicapped people through Public Libraries: The Kenya Experience. 69th IFLA General Conference and Council, Berlin, August 1-9.
20 Aina, L.O. (2004). Library and Information Science text for Africa. Ibadan: Third world.
21 Adetoro, N. (2012) Alternative format preferences among secondary school visually impaired students in Nigeria. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 44(2), 90-96.   DOI   ScienceOn
22 Balini, B. (2000). A needs assessment of CNIB library services. University of Alberta (April 12): 25.
23 Atinmo, M.I. (2007). Setting up a computerized and distribution database of alternative format materials for blind and visually impaired persons in Nigeria. Library Trends, 55(4), 830-846.   DOI
24 Agbaje, S.A. (1996). Access to and retrieval of library resources by the blind in selected higher institutions in Nigeria. In T.C. Obani (Ed.), Current Researches on special education in Nigeria. Oyo: FCE Special: 188-195.
25 Ajobiewe, T. (1999). Library facilities for the blind in Nigeria: Challenges ahead. Exceptional Children, 3(1), 188-198.
26 Bernardi, F. (2003). Italian libraries and visually disabled people. Biblioteche Oggi, 5(21), 15-25.
27 Bernardi, F. (2004). Library Services for blind and visually impaired people: Literature review. Retrieved from d space-unipr.cilea.it/bitstream/1889/1147/1/Libr.
28 Berry, J. (1999). Apart or a part? Access to the internet by visually impaired and blind people, with particular emphasis on assistive enabling technology and user perceptions. Information Technology and Disabilities, 6(3), 1-16.
29 Bundy, A. (2002). Inquiry into the role of libraries in the online environment. Senate environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Reference committee. Blackwood: South Australia. Retrieved from http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/ecita_ctte/completed_inquiries/2002-04/online_libraries/submissions/sub03.doc
30 Craddock, P. (1996). Talking newspapers and magazines for visually impaired and other people with print disabilities: an international perspective. Paper presented at the 62nd IFLA General Conference, August 25-31. Retrieved from http://www.ifla/org/contacts.html
31 Adetoro, N. (2010). Reading interest and information needs of persons with visual impairment in Nigeria. South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science, 76(1), 49-56.
32 Creaser, C., Davies, J. E., & Wisdom, S. (2002). Accessible, open and inclusive? How visually impaired people view library and information services and agencies. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 34(4)., 203-213.
33 Adetoro, A.A. (2009). Relationship among reading interest, information materials availability and alternative format utilization by persons with visual impairment in selected libraries in South-western Nigeria. Doctoral Dissertation, Department of Library and Archival and Information studies, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
34 Adetoro, N. (2010a). Characteristics of visually impaired information users in Nigeria. African Research and Documentation, Journal of SCOLMA: UK libraries and Archives Group on Africa, 114, 47-58.
35 Adetoro, N. (2011a). Availability and use of information materials by persons with visually impairment in Nigeria. Information Society and Justice, 4(2), 5-18.
36 Adetoro, N. (2011b). Alternative format availability and its utilization by the visually impaired students in Nigerian secondary schools. Indian Journal of Information Science and Service, 5(2), 31-38.