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An Evaluative Study on Library Services and Facilities for Specially-Abled Users in the selected District Libraries of

Oyimang Jamoh University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya, [email protected]

Nandita Barman University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya, [email protected]

Amrita Devi University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya, [email protected]

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Jamoh, Oyimang; Barman, Nandita; and Devi, Amrita, "An Evaluative Study on Library Services and Facilities for Specially-Abled Users in the selected District Libraries of Arunachal Pradesh" (2021). Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 5357. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/5357 An Evaluative Study on Library Services and Facilities for Specially-Abled Users in the selected District Libraries of Arunachal Pradesh

Oyimang Jamoh* MLISc Student, DLISc, University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya

Nandita Barman** Assistant Professor, DLISc, University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya

Amrita Devi*** Assistant Professor, DLISc, University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya

Abstract: The paper investigated the provision of library facilities and services for the specially-abled users in the three selected Public Libraries of Arunachal Pradesh. It examined access to the information materials collected in the libraries and the building structure. The data-gathering instruments consisted of a structured questionnaire, observation, and interview method were followed. Findings of the study showed that among the three libraries District Central Library has specialized staff to guide the specially-abled user. It was found that among these three public libraries District Library Tezu has better ICT infrastructural facilities as compared to District Library Pasighat and Changlang. Moreover, it was found that the procurement of specialized documents for disabled users as well as the enhancement of the existing facilities and services for disabled users’ needs to be focused. It was suggested to improve the existing internet facilities among all the three public libraries. Besides that, library buildings should be modified to accommodate physically challenged persons to access housed resources.

Keywords: Arunachal Pradesh, District Library, Public Library, Library Services, Library Facilities, Specially-Abled Users

1. Introduction

A library may be small or big but falls under the broad categories of library systems, such as, academic, public, or special. With the passage of time and also with the production of different writing materials this knowledge communication system became very much dynamic and therefore, a library in whatever forms it exists should be a center of communication between the originators and users. In this regard, the Public Library System is a user-friendly system where anybody can make use of this system without disseminating caste, creed, sex, religion, age, community, and status.

The library is a service organization and the library staff is responsible for the services provided to their users without any discrimination. According to the services section of the Library services for people with Disabilities Policy, “Libraries must not discriminate against individuals with disabilities and shall ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to library resources”. It is very essential to support the students with disabilities at the beginning of their time as students, to prevent them from falling behind. Students with disabilities may avoid visiting the library because of their problems and unawareness of the facilities and services rendered to them by the library. Hence the library staff must find out and contact the students with disabilities and explain to them about the facilities available in the library and the services provided to them.

2. Objectives of the study

i. To identify the type of collection available in the libraries for specially-abled users.

ii.To know the special facilities and infrastructure available for specially-abled users.

iii.To know the assistive equipment and devices provided to them.

iv.To identify any online training program offered for the library staff for serving the disabled.

3. Review of Related Literature

Bodaghi and Zainab (2013) examine the views of architect experts and physically disabled users on the accessibility status among fourteen public and university library buildings in Iran. The respondents rated the availability of items listed in a checklist grouped under five categories: parking, ramps, interior layout, exclusive space, and public space for the disabled. The results indicate that both disabled users and architects on all criteria are similar except for the ratings on the ramp and the interior layout for the disabled in library buildings. Disabled users who rated higher on library accessibility were frequent visitors to the library.

Sanaman and Kumar (2014) in their article uphold the essentiality of using assistive or adaptive technology for the disabled persons at the different recognized institutions all over and clarify the concept of assistive/adaptive technology and its role and importance in the access of information for the people with disabilities in the digital environment.

Phukubje and Ngoepe (2017) pointed out that the students with disabilities require special convenient access to library services as compared to the general student population. The study was conducted by quantitative data collected through questionnaires directed to 92 disabled students registered for the 2013 academic year, an interview with the librarian responsible for the disabled students’ unit, and observation using the IFLA checklist for access to libraries for disabled people to evaluate the convenience and accessibility of library services for students with disabilities at the University of Limpopo in South Africa. The situation revealed the fact that only the librarian was assigned to manage and run the library services for the disabled. It recommends that the university should hire more library professionals to assist students with disabilities in the audio-braille library.

Kavishe and Isibika (2018) highlighted the provision of library services and materials for people in wheelchairs in two university libraries of Tanzania. The results revealed that the two academic libraries are not following with library universal services to users in wheelchairs. It recommended that the two libraries should formulate policies that would cover issues on the provision of library services for physically challenged users.

Daniel and Naazi (2020) reported the academic libraries in the Upper East Region of Ghana had made provisions for persons with disabilities. The findings reveal that academic libraries in the Upper East Region have yet to implement the norms of the ratified Persons with Disability Act of Ghana. The study, recommends that the relevant state institutions should be empowered with increased investment and allocation of funds to libraries to provide the information needs of persons with disability.

4. Area of the Study

The Pasighat District Central Library was established in 1956. It has a magnificent hall with a splendid Reading room, Children’s book room, Women reading room, Senior citizen readers room, and lending books hall. The building has an area of 3000 sq. feet and also the Digital Library is in process. The Tezu District Central Library was established in 1958. Tezu District Library has a Reading, children’s, women's, special user section, Newspaper, and magazine section. The Central Library was established in 1985. The Library has a Reading section, children’s Section, Newspaper & magazine section. It also provides the facility of Wheelchair and Wheelchair Ramp.

5. Methodology of the Study

The methodology used in this study is the survey method. The data has been collected through a structured questionnaire and interview method from the respondents. The questions are prepared in Google form and distributed to the Public Library Staff of Pasighat District Central Library, Tezu District Central Library, and Changlang District Central Library of Arunachal Pradesh via email. The collected data is being analyzed and interpreted with tabular and graphical representation.

6. Data Analysis and Interpretation

General Information about the Public Libraries

In Table No.6.1 the general information about the three district libraries is being mentioned which includes their year of establishment and location.

Table No.6.1. General information of the surveyed Libraries Name of the Library Year of Estd. Location District Library Tezu 1956 Tezu, , Arunachal Pradesh 792001 District Library Pasighat 1958 DST Colony, Pasighat District Library Changlang 1985 Near DUDA Market Changlang

Percentage of General Users of the Library

Figure No.1 shows that District Library Pasighat has 20% general users, District Library Tezu has 35% and District Library Changlang has 10% of general Users. Figure No: 1 General Users

General users

10% 20%

35%

District Library Pasighat District Library Tezu District Library Changlang

Percentage of Specially -Abled Users of the Library

In Figure No.2, it is shown that District Library Pasighat has 48% off Specially-Abled Users, District Library Tezu has 12% off Specially-Abled Users and District Library Changlang has no Specially-Abled Users.

Figure No:2 Specially Abled Users

Percentage of Specially Abled Users

District Library Changlang

District Library Tezu

District Library Pasighat

0 1 2 3 4 5

Users1

Total No. of Library Staff

Table No. 6.2 shows the total number of library staff of the three public libraries. Here Pasighat District Library has seven staff, District Library Tezu has three, and District Library Changlang has five Library Staff. Table No.6.2 Total No. of Library Staff

Name of the Library No.of Library Staff

District Library Pasighat 07 District Library Tezu 03 District Library Changlang 05

Specialized staff for serving the Special Users Table No.6.3 showed that District Library Pasighat has specialized staff for serving the special users and Both Tezu District Library and Changlang District have no specialized staff for special users.

Table No. 6.3 Specialized staff for serving the Special Users Name of the Library Yes/No

District Library Pasighat Yes District Library Tezu No District Library Changlang No

Document Collection of the Three District Libraries

In Figure No.3 the collection of Library documents is highlighted. Printed books and printed journals are available in all three district Libraries, Rare books are only available in the District Library of Changlang.

Figure No: 3 Document Collection

Collection of Library

1 any other 0.5 Manuscript rare books Printed Journals 0 Printed books

Printed books Printed Journals rare books Manuscript any other

Total Collections for Specially-Abled Users

In Table No.6.4 District Library, Pasighat has 05 collections for specially-abled users, District Library Tezu has 715, and District Library Changlang has 02 collections for specially-abled users.

Table 6.4 Total Collections for Specially-Abled Users

Name of the Library Number of Collection

District Library Pasighat 05 District Library Tezu 715 District Library Changlang 02

Collection for Specially -Abled Users

Figure No.4 shows the District Library of Pasighat, and the District Library of Tezu having the collection of Braille Books and printed books for the Specially- Abled Users, whereas the District Library Changlang has printed books for Specially abled users.

Figure No: 4 Collection for Specially Abled Users

Collection for Special Users 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% Pasighat Library Tezu Library Changlang Library Printed Books Ebooks Braille Books Audio cassattes CD ROMS

Different Sections of the Three Libraries

From Figure No.5 it can be seen that the District Library Pasighat has a Reading, Children and Newspaper and Magazine Section. Whereas, District Library Tezu has Reading, Children, Separate room for Special Users, and Newspaper Section. On the other hand, District Library Changlang have a Reading, Newspaper, and Magazine Section

Figure No:5 Sections of the Three Libraries

Sections of the Three Libraries

Changlang Library Tezu Library Pasighat Library

0 1 2 3 4 5

Reading Section Children Section Room forSpecially abled Users Server Section Women Section Newspaper & Megazine Section Any other

Services & Facilities of the Libraries

Figure No.6, indicates that the District Library Tezu provided the services of Current awareness service, online service, and Specialized reference service, District Library Changlang and District Library Pasighat have Specialized reference services.

Figure No: 6 Services & Facilities of Library

Services & Facilities

1 any other 0.5 Resource Sharing/Inter library loan Specialized reference service 0 online service CAS Pasighat Tezu Library Library Changlang Library

CAS online service Specialized reference service Resource Sharing/Inter library loan any other

ICT Infrastructure Facilities

Figure No.7 reflects the ICT Infrastructure facilities available in District Library of Pasighat. They provides Scanners and printers, District Library Tezu has personal computers, scanners, printers, Internet facilities, and other facilities were available in the library and District Library Changlang to provide the facilities of personal computer and printers.

Figure No: 7 ICT Infrastructure Facilities

ICT Infrastructure Facilities

Changlang Library

Tezu Library

Pasighat Library

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5

Personal comp. Scanners Printers LCD Projector Internet facilities Any other

Software Facilities for the Specially-Abled Users Figure No.8 shows that Tezu District Library provides the facility of Voice Recognition Software on the other hand Pasighat District Library and Changlang District Library have other software for Specially- Abled Users which was not specifically mentioned by them.

Figure No:8 Software Facilities Available

Software Facilities

1 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0

Pasighat Library Tezu Library Changlang Library

SAFA Cheap Talker I-Learn(by NITI,India) Voice Recognition Software Any other

Hardware Facilities Offered for the Specially-Abled Users Figure No.9 reflects that Pasighat District Library has Scanners, Readers, and Simple/Electric Wheel Chairs for special users. Whereas District Library Tezu and District Library Changlang have facilities with simple/electric wheelchairs in the Library.

Figure No:9 Hardware Facilities Offered

2 0

1.5 1 Walking Frames/Rolators 0 Simple/Electric Wheel Chairs 1 0 0 Braille Printer 0.5 Pasighat Library, 1 Scanner/Reader 1 1 0 0 0 Tezu Library, 0 Changlang Library, 0

7. Findings of the Study ➢ The survey findings reveal that although District Library Tezu provides services like Current awareness service, online service, and Specialized reference service, District Library Changlang and District Library Pasighat have Specialized reference services, only but facilities and services for specially-abled users are not adequate. ➢ The study shows that among these three libraries, only District Library Tezu has Sperate room for Special Users along with a Reading, Children, and Newspaper Section. ➢ It has been observed that Tezu District Library has Voice Recognition Software, Pasighat District Library, and Changlang District Library have mentioned some other software that is being used for disabled Users. ➢ The study shows that District Library Tezu and District Library Pasighat have Ramp for Disabled users but District Library Changlang has mentioned some other facilities for the accommodating of disabled users. ➢ The study reveals that there are no training facilities are provided to the library staff to facilitate the disabled users in all the surveyed libraries. ➢ Pasighat District Library have Scanners, Readers, and simple/Electric Wheel Chairs for special users, District Library Tezu and District Library Changlang have simple/electric wheelchairs in the Library.

8. Suggestions

➢ A Library should build a special section comprising of documents like Braille Books, Talking Books, and Large Print Books to satisfy the needs of specially-abled users. ➢ Observing the status of these libraries, it is recommended for the installation of Software and Hardware like I-Learn (by NITI, India), SAFA, Braille Printer, Adaptive furniture, walking frames, etc. for special users. ➢ A separate room or section for the specially-abled patrons is necessary. ➢ All three libraries should focus on the procurement of specialized documents for disabled users as well as the improvement of the existing facilities and services for disabled users. ➢ The libraries should initiate training programs for the staff on using specialized documents and providing better services to disabled users. ➢ The Public Libraries should initiate a standardized user orientation programme for disabled users.

9. Conclusion

The present study reveals that the general public, research guides, and scholars have been using the District Libraries. There seems to be greater scope for further improvements in terms of technology, facilities, services, and infrastructure for specially-abled users. The method and system of implementation of the District Libraries are to be enhanced both qualitatively and quantitatively. Adequate incentives and encouragements also could be provided to District Libraries Staff for serving the specially-abled users in the library. A few advanced level professional activities like training and orientation programs, workshops, community programs, and extension services are becoming necessary for updating knowledge.

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