Identifying the needs of visually impaired users in using library services: A qualitative study

Subject Areas : Journal of Knowledge Studies

Azam Najafqolinejad ¹ , Zahra Babaee ²

1 - PhD in knowledge and information science, Assistant Prof. of National Library and Archives of Iran
2 - Expert in Visually Impaired section of National Library and Archives of Iran

Received: 2021-06-29 Accepted : 2021-08-21 Published : 2021-08-23

Keywords: Library services, Blind, National Library and Archives of Iran, visually impaired, Low vision,

Abstract :

Objective: This study was conducted with the aim of understanding the needs of the Visually Impaired in the Visually Impaired Department of the National Library and Archives of Iran.Methodology: The present study is qualitative that was conducted by content analysis method with inductive approach. The data collection tool was a semi-structured interview. Sampling went so far as to saturate the data and no new data was extracted from the interviews. The interview was saturated with 10 visually impaired who had experience using the services of the visually impaired Department. 132 initial codes (2 main themes and 12 sub-themes) were extracted from the interviews. Guba and Lincoln criteria (Credibility, Dependability, Confirmability and Transferability) were used for data robustness and accuracy. Maxqda software version 20 was used for data analysis.Results: The analysis of the interviews about the participants' experience in using the services of the visually impaired Department of the National Library of Iran was summarized in two general themes: "Problems and Limitations" and "Suggestions for Improving the Services". The 7 sub-themes related to the “limitations and problems” reported by users with visually impaired were: paths and environmental guides, path insecurity, visually impaired independence, special tools for the visually impaired, facilities, environmental conditions of the visually impaired hall (librarian position and hall environmental conditions), and marketing services. People with visually impaired offered suggestions for improving the the services, which were in 5 sub-themes: education, resources, online services, strengthening special facilities, and strengthening voluntary facilities.Conclusion: The results showed that visually impaired have several problems and limitations in using the services of the visually impaired Department of the National Library and Archives of Iran. Considering that this library is the mother library in the country, it is better for the library staff to follow-up to remove the current restrictions and by continuously evaluating their information needs, redesigning and arranging facilities, reviewing signs and environmental guides, Special facilities, development programs, equipment procurement and marketing programs, take steps to improve the library services for the visually impaired.