1 A survey of e-book services in public libraries by Blind and partially sighted people Jon Hardisty Senior Librarian RNIB National Library Service

2 Content Blind and partially sighted people and e- books Make a Noise in Libraries e-books survey – aims and findings Conclusions What can you do? Reading Sight

3 e-books - opportunities The 5 % LISU/RNIB “Availability of accessible publications” 2010: 7 % of all books available, including e-books 2010: 54 % of the top 1,000 titles, including e-books

4 How do Blind and partially sighted people read e-books? PC: Screenreaders and zoom Transfer books to a device iPad, Kindle, Kobo, Sony reader Accessibility – Adobe Digital Editions Libraries

5 Make a Noise in Libraries 10 th Anniversary 3 key objectives 2011: 53 events in libraries 2011: e-books survey

6 Survey aims Build up a picture of what is available Find out how easy it is for blind or partially sighted people to use e-book services in public libraries Identify the obstacles so we can offer constructive advice Focus group of 900 readers people expressed an interest

7 What did we ask the focus group to do in libraries? How easy was it to join? Were the staff helpful and supportive? Does your library offer e-books in audio, text or both? Log-in process Searching for books and choosing what to read Downloading a book Reading the book. Tell us about your experience

8 Findings - what was the e-book offer? 17 library authorities offered an e-book service 17 did not offer a service and had no plans to do so 7 planned to introduce a service

9 Findings – why no e-books? Cost – licences, equipment Libraries keeping a watching brief

10 Findings – joining and logging in Join the library Register for the service Download software Difficulty navigating council websites and services with access technology

11 Findings – joining and logging in “It is not immediately clear how to reach the e-book section from the homepage, but with trial and error, I found the right place.” “I tried hard for more than an hour. I couldn't do it. I'm a reasonably experienced computer user, and I could not reach the Library online service or the e-book catalogue of titles to borrow. My sighted husband tried, and was successful, but said he wasn't surprised I couldn't get there.”

12 Findings – staff help and support Most staff very helpful Essential to have some support Some lack of knowledge of the e-book service No accessible PCs in libraries

13 Findings – staff help and support “A very kind lady set up an account for me and downloaded a book on to my data stick. She then went through the pathway of links slowly and recorded notes on my Milestone note taker. If I had not had some help I think I would have had difficulty… At home I downloaded another book onto my computer without too much trouble.”

14 Findings – searching and downloading Majority found it difficult to navigate the catalogue and select books Downloading was also difficult but most thought would become easier with practice

15 Findings – searching and downloading “The search process could have been more straightforward but I managed.” “I tried to browse the available e-books, only to discover that the website is not very accessible as each book is shown as a picture of the front cover!” “Downloading I still find a bit difficult and am nervous about it, but I can do it given time.”

16 Findings - reading Range of reading devices Mixture of audio and e-text Downloaded to PC and direct to device Majority positive about reading experience Some disappointment with choice of titles

17 Findings - reading “I put the e-books onto a Sony Pocket 350 which works well for me as it's easy to change the text size.” “Some of the e-books were WMA protected and these would not work on my Milestone 312. They seem to be the books that I most want to read.”

18 Findings - reading “The web site would appear to have thousands of audio books available however it seems my local library membership only gives me access to a few hundred.”

19 Survey conclusions Read e-books with perseverance and practice, but support usually needed People connected with their local library Very different experience between e- book sales and lending services? Access for all: accessibility = usability? Specify accessible services

20 What can you do? - e-books guidelines What is an accessible service? Questions to ask a supplier Education, detailed accessibility and e-book platforms information…

21 What can you do? - Reading Sight Full survey report: e_libraries/digital_services/ e_libraries/digital_services/ Six Steps

22 Reading Sight Pat Beech MBE Manager RNIB National Library Service