Libraries across the world are using FOSS solutions to provide a wide variety of services for their library patrons. There are FOSS tools to support nearly everything that happens in a library. For example, library systems tools allow patrons to search library catalogs online. There are also tools which allow libraries to put their digital collections (such as articles, digital archives, and datasets) online for users to search, browse, and read, as well as tools that help users to easily discover and use online materials. Appendix A provides a subset of FOSS solutions that improve access to e-resources.
EIFL-FOSS
Based in Europe, Electronic Information for Libraries (EIFL) is an international not-for-profit organization working in collaboration with libraries in more than 60 developing and transition countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. EIFL enables access to knowledge for education, learning, research, and sustainable community development.
EIFL-FOSS is one of EIFL's programs and its goal is to create and share knowledge about FOSS library tools. It aims to raise awareness and understanding of FOSS options for a variety of library processes, facilitate EIFL member engagement with FOSS development communities, and undertake projects of special significance to EIFL members. Working closely with a network of EIFL-FOSS country coordinators, the program builds FOSS capacity in libraries, shares experiences and expertise, and develops support material for the evaluation of and migration to FOSS library software.
EIFL-FOSS Pilot Project Program
EIFL-FOSS encourages the implementation of FOSS solutions in libraries through its pilot project program. Following a successful program of ILS pilots in 2008-2009, five additional pilot projects were initiated in three countries (Armenia, Nepal, and Zimbabwe) in 2011 to demonstrate the implementation of a service that addressed local needs. The pilot programs addressed a range of challenges facing libraries, from creating tools to support users by enhancing access to library resources, such as guided searching software or disability aids, to using existing ILS software to facilitate virtual union catalogues, to implementing an easy-to-use ILS in small and rural libraries. We will focus on two of these projects in Zimbabwe, both of which are now beyond pilot stage and in full operation. At the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Bulawayo, they launched a website tool that provides users with an easy-to-use interface for finding e-resources. Librarians were also given a tool for managing these resources. At University of Zimbabwe (UZ) in Harare, they have used FOSS tools to significantly improve services for students with visual impairments and reading difficulties.
University of Zimbabwe project
The University of Zimbabwe (UZ) is located in the country’s capital city of Harare. UZ’s library is the oldest and largest academic library in Zimbabwe and serves more than 12,000 students and staff. As a key contributor to the university’s success, the UZ’s Library has fully embraced information communication technologies (ICT) to maximize access to information resources in support of teaching, learning, and research. The UZ library provides an online catalog, electronic theses and dissertations, and a wealth of other e-resources including e-journals and e-books.
UZ librarians realized that their online services had not been adapted to meet the needs of their disabled students, many of whom were visually impaired. There are a limited number of commercial tools within the library for visually impaired users, but these software tools are proprietary and cannot be shared widely due to the prohibitive costs. UZ library therefore choose to explore Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) solutions. Selected as one of the EIFL-FOSS pilot projects, the focus at UZ was on tools that would provide students with visual disabilities enhanced access to the wealth of e-resources available through the library and online.
The focus was on the implementation of two tools:
- Virtual Magnifying Glass (VMG): is a screen magnification tool that allows users to simply place a virtual magnifier over any item on the screen to enlarge it. Using the mouse or the keyboard, the user can determine the shape and size of the magnified area and the strength of the magnification.
- Balabolka: is a text-to-speech tool that reads text aloud from the screen to aid people who have reading difficulties, whether due to vision impairments or other reading difficulties (e.g., dyslexia).
Additional disability tools were provided by the EIFL-FOSS program manager, Simon Ball, with support from Jisc TechDis, a UK advisory service that provides advice and guidance on accessibility and technology. Jisc TechDis supplied USB sticks with AccessApps, a suite of more than 60 free and open source accessibility tools, including VMG and Balabolka, to support writing and reading as well as specific visual and reading disabilities.
Balabolka and VMG were uploaded onto the computers at the UZ Disability Resource Centre (DRC) as well as onto computers in the library, thereby giving the visually impaired students another place to study and feel welcome. They were also uploaded onto students’ laptops upon request. The strategic partnerships formed by library staff in order to spread the word about the project and to demonstrate its value to key stakeholders proved to be a critical factor to their success. At the beginning of the project, UZ Library formed a strategic partnership with the UZ Disability Resource Centre (DRC) so they could reach students more effectively. The DRC installed the FOSS accessibility tools in its computer lab. The partnership with the DRC also included training by the library on FOSS accessibility software for visually impaired students as a permanent feature of orientation for new students.
The project was fully embraced by the university administration, which shared information about the project at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in May 2011. At this event, the project attracted the attention of the Ministry of Public Affairs who in turn presented the project at the United Nations & Africa Public Service Day in Tanzania in June 2011 where it was nominated for a United Nations Award.
Online resources have opened up a new world for students, but without the necessary tools this new world remains as inaccessible as the analog one to students with visual and reading disabilities. At UZ, students with disabilities now have the tools they need to take full advantage of these e-resources. In addition, librarians have been trained to load the tools on student computers and support students in how to use these tools. The librarians were extremely supportive of the project and appreciated learning a new skill that would allow them to better serve a new audience.
When asked about their experience with the tools, students were quick to point out the benefits. For example, one student pursuing a Bachelor of Administration degree expressed his appreciation of the library staff’s efforts, "I am now able to read for myself because of the virtual magnifying glass, thanks to you." Another student expressed appreciation for these tools in the following manner, "I now enjoy my studies just like any other student. I no longer feel segregated".
A lecturer in the department of Adult Education, who is visually impaired due to complications with diabetes, was introduced to the tools. After using the virtual magnifying glass, he said "Ah!! Now I can read my document without problems".