Usability of the SAMAN from the perspective of Visually Impaired Users

Najafgholinejad, Azam Usability of the SAMAN from the perspective of Visually Impaired Users. Research on Information Science and Public Libraries, 2024, vol. 30, n. 3, pp. 311-294. [Journal article (Paginated)]

[thumbnail of Usability of the SAMAN from theperspective of Visually Impaired Users.pdf]
Preview
Text
Usability of the SAMAN from theperspective of Visually Impaired Users.pdf - Published version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial.

Download (744kB) | Preview

English abstract

Objective: The purpose of this research is to assess the usability of the management system of public libraries(SAMAN) from the perspective of visually impaired users.Method: The research was applied a formal usability testing. The usability of the system was evaluated throughexploratory observation of users with visual impairments (think-aloud protocol) by defining three real tasks. 10 users were selected by purposeful sampling method. Task completion was monitored using screen recording software.Data analysis was conducted using Excel and MAXQDA. Guba and Lincoln�s criteria were employed to ensure datacredibility.Results: On average, each user spent approximately 30.9 minutes locating a resource, over 11 minutes for electronic membership requests, and about 7 minutes for sending inquiries to librarians. Few users were able to navigatethe system without assistance, and some users were unsuccessful in completing their tasks. Ninety percent of usersrated the ease of use of the system as poor and expressed dissatisfaction with the time spent on task completion. Keyusability barriers were identified across 177 codes and five categories. The most frequent barriers included accessibility of combo boxes or dropdown menus, proper design, keyboard accessibility, logical heading structure, searchcomplexity, system messages, and conveying information with senses.Conclusions: Usability is a fundamental condition for the sustained performance of websites. Libraries and inclusive websites focus on diverse stakeholders. Engaging real end-users is a vital aspect of user-centered design,highlighting the need for continuous assessment of their expectations.

Persian abstract

Item type: Journal article (Paginated)
Keywords: Usability,Public Libraries,visually impaired users,Blind people,public library management system,Saman
Subjects: D. Libraries as physical collections. > DC. Public libraries.
Depositing user: rispl journal Journal
Date deposited: 30 Jan 2026 17:56
Last modified: 30 Jan 2026 17:56
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10760/47494

References

9. Craven, J., & Brophy, P. (2003). Non-Visual Access to the Digital Library (NOVA): The Use of the Digital Library Interfaces by Blind and Visually-Impaired People. Manchester Metropolitan University, Centre for Research in Library and Information Management.

10. Dickstein, R., & Mills, V. (2000). Usability testing at the University of Arizona Library: How to let the users in on the design. Information Technology and Libraries, 19(3), 144-151.

11. Irwin, B., & Silk, K. (2019). Changing stakeholder expectations of library value. Public Library Quarterly, 38(3), 320-330. [DOI:10.1080/01616846.2019.1571398]

12. Kiruki, B. W., & Mutula, S. M. (2021). Accessibility and usability of library websites to students with visual and physical dsiabilities in public universities in Kenya. International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology, 11(2), 55-75.

13. Koller, D., Le Pouesard, M., & Rummens, J. A. (2018). Defining social inclusion for children with disabilities: A critical literature review. Children & Society, 32, 1-13. [DOI:10.1111/chso.12223]

14. Kous, K., Pušnik, M., Heričko, M., & Polančič, G. (2020). Usability evaluation of a library website with different end user groups. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 52(1), 75-90. [DOI:10.1177/0961000618773133]

15. Kulikauskienė, K., & Liukinevičienė, L. (2020). The theoretical model of an inclusive library for people with disabilities and its practical implementation. Izzivi Prihodnosti, 2, 79-101. [DOI:10.37886/ip.2020.005]

16. Lazar, J., Allen, A., Kleinman, J., & Malarkey, C. (2007). What frustrates screen reader users on the web: A study of 100 blind users. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 22(3), 247-269. doi:10.1080/10447310709336964. [DOI:10.1080/10447310709336964]

17. Leporini, B., Andronico, P., & Buzzi, M. (2004, May). Designing search engine user interfaces for the visually impaired. In: Proceedings of the 2004 International Cross-disciplinary Workshop on Web Accessibility (W4A). pp. 57-66. [DOI:10.1145/990657.990668]

18. Manzoor, M., & Vimarlund, V. (2017). E-services for the social inclusion of people with disabilities: A literature review. Technology and Disability, 29(1-2), 15-33. [DOI:10.3233/TAD-170175]

19. Mulliken, A. (2018). Eighteen blind library users' experiences with library websites and search tools in US academic libraries: A qualitative study. Hunter, 411. Retrieved from: http://dspace.fudutsinma.edu.ng/xmlui/handle/123456789/1672 [DOI:10.31235/osf.io/vtnr9]

20. Racelis, A. (2018). Library services for the poor: Theoretical framework for library social responsibility. Pedagogical Research, 3(2), 06. [DOI:10.20897/pr/90831]

21. Shimomura, Y., Hvannberg, E. T., & Hafsteinsson, H. (2010). Accessibility of audio and tactile interfaces for young blind people performing everyday tasks. Universal Access in the Information Society, 9(4), 297-310. [DOI:10.1007/s10209-009-0183-y]

22. Tomlinson, S. M. (2016). Perceptions of accessibility and usability by blind or visually-impaired persons: A pilot study. Proceedings of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 53(1), 1-4. [DOI:10.1002/pra2.2016.14505301120]

23. Xie, I., Babu, R., Jeong, W., Joo, S., & Fuller, P. (2014). Blind users searching digital libraries: Types of help-seeking situations at the cognitive level. iConference 2014 Proceedings.

24. Yoon, K., Dols, R., Hulscher, L., & Newberry, T. (2016). An exploratory study of library website accessibility for visually-impaired users. Library & Information Science Research, 38(3), 250-258. [DOI:10.1016/j.lisr.2016.08.006]


Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item