Is the Digital Talking Book Program meeting librarian and patron expectations?

• Published in: Journal of librarianship and information science Vol. 50; no. 4; pp. 468 - 483
• Main Author: Rose, Terence Lionel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01-12-2018; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Adaptive technology; Informatics; Librarians; disabilities; information and communications technologies; National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; libraries; Assistive/adaptive technologies; Digital Talking Book Program; librarians
• ISSN: 0961-0006; 1741-6477
• DOI: 10.1177/0961000616667800

The goal of this paper is to fill the gap in current research on the United States National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped program by surveying NLS librarians, using social informatics as the theoretical base. A 31-question survey was distributed to 111 library professionals. The questions addressed the Digital Talking Book Program, the Digital Talking Book Player, patrons, adaptive/assistive technologies, the impact of the 2008–2009 recession, and the Local Recordings program. NLS librarians and their patrons were satisfied with the player; however, both groups feel that it needs to be upgraded. Future research should survey NLS patrons and non-users of the NLS program.