National Taiwan Library Services for Visually Impaired People: A Study Using Sense-Making Approach
Date Issued
2009
Date
2009
Author(s)
Chang, Po-Ya
Abstract
The theory of Sense-making has been under development by Brenda Dervin and colleagues since 1972. It is defined as a methodology for studying from the perspective of the user, focusing on the process, how the users construct sense and meaning of their experiences. Subjects for this research were chosen from the visually impaired users of the National Taiwan Library (NTL). The Research framework of this study followed the sense-making theory, which is problem-solving-oriented. The purpose of this thesis is to examine information seeking behavior of visually impaired people using the library. This study also seeks to discover how visually impaired people use libraries whilst analyzing the barriers and problems they experience, and whether libraries actually met their needs. These are reflected in the results referenced for evaluation and follow on recommendations for improvement of the NTL’s services for visually impaired people. This study used semi-structured interview and questionnaire to collect data, involving 23 individual interviewees (15 were blind, 8 were partially sighted, aged from 24 to 83) and 280 participants (210 were blind, 70 were partially sighted, aged from 9 to 67). The results of the study can be summarized and categorized as follows:. Objectives of the visually impaired library user:1) The subjects used libraries mainly in order to meet information needs in terms of their daily lives. The other motives were to obtain knowledge, to approve or improve self, spirit or comfort of mind. The major reasons for reduced use or stop use of libraries were that the subjects had little or no time and choosen to use Internet.2) Experiences of the visually impaired as a library user: . The reasons for using libraries were the larger book collections, their personal habits, to increase personnel knowledgeable, exposure to a wider range of topics and saving money rather than to purchase their own materials. . The subjects made their selection based upon materials in choosing a library or visual disability service unit. In 2008, the subjects mostly used NTL and visual disability service units of colleges.. 95.7% of the subjects thought that NTL met their information needs or helped them. A major source of dissatisfaction was that searchable materials varied from those anticipated by the user.. It was commented upon that other libraries had better collection development, cataloging method, content introduction and media packages than those provided by NTL.. Good or bad experiences in the past use of NTL had an effect upon subjects in their like or dislike of NTL, also their using more than one library, changing from other libraries, stopped their use of NTL, or thinking that NTL was not important for themselves.. The major reading media of subjects were audio materials (tapes or MP3), Internet or text files. Two out of five subjects rarely used the server or Internet on a daily basis. However, the causes and condition of the visually impaired, and their ages were found to be different from other visually impaired populations in Taiwan. . Sex, health, level of ability, and living conditions were found to effect subjects using reading media, libraries or visual disability service units ,and NTL’s services or eqipment. 3) Information Media barrier was the most common obsticle for subjects in their use of libraries whilst looking for help from a librarian was found to be one of the most common ways to solve this problem. 4) Visually impaired users’s expectation of NTL: For subjects, the most important services were library lending. Enriching holdings, newer collections and uplifting the quality of collections should be enhanced. 5) Some subjects think without services from NTL there would be a significant reduction in material resources and recreation available to visually impaired users. NTL plays a major role in terms of the subject’s life and work.. A service strategy of meeting the needs of the visually impaired: the visually impaired look forward to an increase in the subjects of novels, essays, medical treatments, health, inspirations, reference works, applied science to living, and magazines; these subjects are provided by MP3, Internet resources, or digital texts, gotten by mail, Internet, or e-mail.. The priority of improved strategies: Material searching service was the highest need, secondly, cooperation with libraries for visually impaired, reading services, lastly, paid express services and study groups. Sex, health, level of ability, and living conditions were found to effect the frequency of using NTL or the degree to which NTL’s services were needed. Based on the results, the author of this thesis has offered some suggestions to NTL upon the quality and service of collections, librarians, services and equipment and environment. The author also has offered some suggestions to visual disability service units and government departments, in order to serve as references for improving services for visually impaired people.
Subjects
visually impaired people
National Taiwan Library
sense-making theory
information seeking behavior
public libraries
Type
thesis
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