Visually impaired can soon access library books on apps

In the first phase, books from Anna Centenary Library will be converted into digital audio versions by using special software. At present, the library holds five lakh books covering a wide range of subjects. It also has several sections including a Braille Section and Student’s Section, besides Periodicals and Newspapers unit. A senior School Education Department official told DT Next that the new high-tech software, which will be developed by a multinational IT company, will be in compliance with the Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY) audio format.

Accordingly, visually impaired people can register with administrator assistance to access the Tamil or English Books and resources, search books by category, author, publication and also access selected books by chapter. “The application will have the feature of admin access to load books chapter wise, list and search members, search books, update or reload information, edit information,” he said, adding, that administrators can also activate, authorise, deactivate any user. Stating that the user-friendly audiobook will be compiled by language experts and recorded by native speakers who will guide the learners in capturing information, the official said the proposed application will have user-friendly interface designs such as fast access to database, less error, more storage capacity and quick transaction.

“The application will also have literature review option, which will help to improve the library services for visually challenged people to access Tamil and English efficiently”, he said. Pointing out that the new system will also help librarians manage information in an organised way, the official said it will also aid them in reporting various operations related to visually impaired people’s resource accessibility. “In addition, the application will help monitor and control overall day to-day transactions,” he added.

If the scheme is a success, based on the feedback, this will also be introduced in other public libraries during the next phase.