Abstract
People with disabilities often need support and accommodation to effectively use computers at libraries. While there are many helpful tools and built-in features available, they are difficult for staff and patrons to discover, understand, and apply. Easier methods to discover access and usability features combined with auto-personalization of computers may solve many of these problems, but the potential use and impact of such systems in the library context is not known. Initial qualitative research was conducted in two U.S. public libraries. We used semi-structured interviews to gather information about computer-related problems in libraries and opinions about a prototype feature-discovery and auto-personalization software system called Morphic. This study led to a better understanding about how such a system could help patrons, facilitate library staff work, and impact library performance. The findings led to additional features and further development of the Morphic system.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Horrigan, J.B.: Libraries 2016. Pew Research Center (2016). http://www.pewinternet.org/2016/09/09/2016/Libraries-2016/
The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA). Library Services for People with Disabilities Policy (2001). http://www.ala.org/asgcla/resources/libraryservices
National Library Service (NLS).: Eligibility (n.d.). https://www.loc.gov/nls/about/eligibility-for-nls-services/
Mates, B.T.: Assistive Technologies in the Library. American Library Association, Chicago (2011)
Microsoft: Accessible Technology in Computing—Examining Awareness, Use, and Future Potential (2004). http://download.microsoft.com/download/0/1/f/01f506eb-2d1e-42a6-bc7b-1f33d25fd40f/ResearchReport-Phase2.doc
Vanderheiden, G.C., Chourasia, A., Tobias, J., Githens, S.: The library GPII system. In: Stephanidis, C., Antona, M. (eds.) UAHCI 2014. LNCS, vol. 8516, pp. 494–505. Springer, Cham (2014)
Mozilla: How do I choose what types of information to sync on Firefox? (n.d.). https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-do-i-choose-what-types-information-sync-firefox
Microsoft: Windows 10 roaming settings reference. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/devices/enterprise-state-roaming-windows-settings-reference. Accessed 24 Oct 2018
Vanderheiden, G.C., Treviranus, J., Ortega-Moral, M., Peissner, M., de Lera, E.: Creating a global public inclusive infrastructure (GPII). In: Stephanidis, C., Antona, M. (eds.) UAHCI 2014. LNCS, vol. 8516, pp. 506–515. Springer, Cham (2014)
Jordan, J.B., Vanderheiden, G.C., Kaine-Krolak, M., Roberts, V.: A pilot study of computer auto-personalization at American job centers. J. Technol. Persons Disabil. 6, 247–260 (2018). http://hdl.handle.net/10211.3/202999
Leddy, P.D., Ormrod, J.E.: Practical Research, Planning and Design, pp. 79–82. Pearson, London (2016)
Denzin, N.K.: The Research Act. A Theoretical Introduction to Sociological Methods. AldineTransaction, New Brunswick (2009)
Creswell, J.W.: Research Design, Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches. Sage, Newcastle upon Tyne (2014)
Flick, U.: An Introduction to Qualitative Research. Sage, Newcastle upon Tyne (2009)
Acknowledgments
The work reported in this publication was supported, in part, by grant number 90RE5027 (Universal Interface & IT Access Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center), from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official policy of the Federal government.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this paper
Cite this paper
Szopa, A.M., Jordan, J.B., Folmar, D.J., Vanderheiden, G.C. (2020). The Auto-Personalization Computing Project in Libraries. In: Ahram, T., Falcão, C. (eds) Advances in Usability and User Experience. AHFE 2019. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 972. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19135-1_78
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19135-1_78
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-19134-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-19135-1
eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)