• Journal of Information Science Theory and Practice
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.69-83
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• 2013

This paper aims to determine the preference and use of electronic information and resources by blind/visually impaired users in the leading National Capital Region (NCR) libraries of India. Survey methodology has been used as the basic research tool for data collection with the help of questionnaires. The 125 in total users surveyed in all the five libraries were selected randomly on the basis of willingness of the users with experience of working in digital environments to participate in the survey. The survey results were tabulated and analyzed with descriptive statistics methods using Excel software and 'Stata version 11'. The findings reveal that ICT have a positive impact in the lives of people with disabilities as it helps them to work independently and increases the level of confidence among them. The Internet is the most preferred medium of access to information among the majority of blind/visually impaired users. The 'Complexity of content available on the net' is found as the major challenge faced during Internet use by blind users of NCR libraries. 'Audio books on CDs/DVDs and DAISY books' are the most preferred electronic resources among the majority of blind/visually impaired users. This study will help the library professionals and organizations/institutions serving people with disabilities to develop effective library services for blind/visually impaired users in the digital environment on the basis of findings on information usage behavior in the study.

• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.113-132
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• 2005

The aim of this study is to expand and deepen our knowledge of Braille libraries in Japan. This study begins with a different viewpoint than previous ones. It does not view Braille libraries solely from the institutions themselves but it locates them within the historical context of Japanese society and both Braille and public libraries. It finds that although Braille and public libraries began with similar purposes, they drastically diverged after 1949 when the former’s welfare center-like function for the blind became more apparent. But by the 1970s, Braille libraries shifted in the direction of its original library function at the impetus of the Blind Reading Rights Movement.

• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.87-107
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• 2012

This paper analyzes the quality of library services for disabled by studying the service of national public libraries and libraries for the disabled. The sample consists of 768 public libraries and 36 libraries for the disabled. The evaluation criteria is composed of six areas: general, amenities, substitute data, complementary device, source/information service, and culture program. The findings show various deviations depending on the library operator, contents and region. The research also shows that the service quality for the disabled is higher in libraries with specialized worker for this type of library services.

• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.215-230
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• 2002

A braille library undoubtedly changes with a changing information environment. However "changing information service" as a topic couldn't be found among previous researches. That's the reason it felt necessary in this paper to analyze the way service in a braille library changes according to a changing environment. as well as to make clear the meaning and the role a braille library has for blind people. As a first step, a questionnaire aimed at Korean braille libraries was carried out in order to understand changes of library service. Results showed that most changes in braille library service were due to the influence of internet, directly or indirectly. In this connection. the way braille libraries made us of this new tool was analyzed as follows. Firstly braille libraries were found to help a better circulation of information from internet towards blind people. It appeared secondly that internet was also used in order to improve already existing services as well as new services. Thirdly libraries were shown to have developed new services related to internet although these services weren't initially library ones. These new aspects of library service constitute by themselves a proof of the importance of braille libraries, although blind people might in some cases obtain the wished piece of information without them. Therefore braille libraries prove to be remained necessarily even if information environment changes.t changes.

• Journal of the Korean Society for information Management
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.23-48
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• 2017

The study goals are establishing a library management plan for the school for the blind in Korea and also developing a structured library program, which reflected the patron's perception. We surveyed the students in three schools for the blind to identify their perception and usage statistics of the libraries. The analysis of the survey led to a school library program framework consisting of four types. To verify the applicability and effectiveness of the framework, we designed ten programs to meet the needs of the schools by consulting respective school's teachers. We administered the second survey after the classes, and we found that there were positive increases in the frequency of library use, a number of books read, perception about the libraries, amount of information used, and self-directed learning willingness.

• Journal of the Korean Society for information Management
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.147-168
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to present suggestions for Korean libraries for disabled person after collecting and analyzing qualitative data upon library policies of national libraries, public libraries and libraries for disabled person in European countries including Sweden, UK and France. Korean national library support center for the disabled should be independent in order to have consistent policy and ability for its execution. It should also support private libraries for the disabled in inheriting professionalism and accumulated history. Developing alternative material, integrated catalogue and professional service is required by cooperative and systematic arrangements among national and public libraries for disabled person including schools and university libraries. Also, it should be able to grow not only on the basis of internal cooperation among libraries but also with the help of external organizations like social and legal systems, organizations related with the disabled and regional self governing bodies.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.343-350
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• 2017

Music Braille is essential and academic materials for the blind to learn and enjoy music. In Korea, National Library for the Disabled is the public institution for the manufacture digital music braille by the request and the center of music rehabilitation the disabled also make the digital music braille on a welfare level. However, most of braille libraries in Korea do have little music braille compared to other braille books. This paper reports the current situations how braille libraries including National library for the Disabled contain braille books, music brailles and digital music brailles to find out that the blinds can be provided exact informations about music brailles and digital music brailles so they can learn music with the right materials such as music brailles. In conclusion, the construction of Database for the digital music brailles is required and necessary for the blind to have better activities of music from the welfare and artistic point of view.

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.189-208
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• 2021

Public library usage is closely related to the accessibility to library facilities. Therefore, public library planning and development authorities should consider the policies for improving the library accessibility of community, for releasing disparities of the spatial accessibility and for increasing location efficiency of public libraries. In this regard, this study strives to analyze the spatial distribution of public libraries in Busan and to derive the regions that lack public libraries by identifying main characteristics using geographical information systems (GIS): identify the blind spot for public library service, analyze the hot and cold spot for the supply of libraries, and identify the vulnerable areas of library based on population density. The result of the study will contribute to understand the spatial distribution of public libraries in Busan and to prioritize sites where public library should be constructed in order to improve the accessibility to public library services.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.51-57
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• 2015

Digital braille music is an indispensible instrument for the blind persons to enjoy music and to proceed the more professional music education. Producing braille music requires professionals such as braille translators thereby it costs money for an individual to order braille music. Therefore, public libraries involve in producing and distributing braille music. Current status of digital braille music in Korea has been far from the fulfillment with the unmet needs of the blind people for diversity in their music preferences. This paper analyses the present condition of braille music possession in Korea National Library. Based on the analysis, policy proposals has been proposed.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.97-117
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to suggest a mid- to long-term expansion plan to resolve the blind spot and alleviate the imbalance of public library services in Daegu City. The research methods for this purpose included literature review, related laws and statistical data analysis, case study, and opinion survey. As a result, the first service area was set as a total of 14 areas based on administrative districts(Jung-gu, Seo-gu, Nam-gu, and Dalseong-gun each have one, Dong-gu and Buk-gu each have two, and Suseong-gu and Dalseo-gu have three each). Second, the expansion scenario for public libraries in Daegu City was proposed to add 26 libraries by the final target year (2032) based on the trend of national library growth over the past 13 years (2008-2020) and the forecast for the next 10 years (2023-2032). Third, the construction scenarios for each basic local government, excluding the Daegu representative library, are as follows: One library each in Jung-gu, Seo-gu, and Nam-gu; two libraries in Suseong-gu; three libraries in Dalseong-gun; four libraries in Dong-gu; and seven libraries each in Buk-gu and Dalseo-gu. In terms of floor area, it is proposed to add a total of 17 branch libraries with a minimum legal standard of 330-2,499㎡, four central libraries with 2,500-4,999㎡ each, and four central libraries with 5,000-9,999㎡ each. On the premise of these conditions, Daegu City and public libraries should focus on creating an inclusive and open community space, creating a digital platform, strengthening the library operation and cooperation system centered on Daegu representative library, developing collections and specializing services for local hub libraries, enhancing various knowledge information and program services, managing key library indicators and improving social contribution.