School of Information Sciences -- Faculty Publications and Other Works
Source Publication (e.g., journal title)
College & Research Libraries
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-2021
Abstract
Academic libraries invest thousands of dollars in assistive technologies (AT) for enhancing the delivery of information services to disabled patrons. However, offering AT might not result in their use by the patrons who need them, thereby leading to a service divide. The analysis of qualitative responses, including over 1,400 quotations, elicited from academic library administrators and librarians in 186 public universities across the United States, reveals that academic libraries encounter 51 challenges related to the knowledge and skills of librarians, hardware and software concerns, institutional factors, finances, and external actors, when serving disabled patrons with AT. Finally, the researchers propose 15 solutions for bridging this service divide.
Recommended Citation
Potnis, D. & Mallary, K. (Accepted as of April 2021). Analyzing service divide in academic libraries for better serving disabled patrons using assistive technologies. College & Research Libraries.
Submission Type
Pre-print
Comments
This paper is accepted for publication in the College & Research Libraries. Authors grant ACRL a non-exclusive license and right of first publication.