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Accessible search and the role of metadata

Wondwossen Mulualem Beyene (Department of Archivistics, Library and Information Science, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway)
Thomas Godwin (Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway)

Library Hi Tech

ISSN: 0737-8831

Article publication date: 5 January 2018

Issue publication date: 7 February 2018

1575

Abstract

Purpose

Some of the usability and accessibility problems of search interfaces emanate from poorly organized search results, where different types of metadata are employed. Metadata is important to make well-informed selection of resources. However, putting too much of it on search interfaces could be counterproductive. Therefore, studies suggest that metadata-related decisions need to be informed by user requirements. The purpose of this paper is to explore library metadata from usability and accessibility perspectives. It identifies search-related problems users with print disability face and explores how metadata-related decisions could be tailored to improve their experience in resource discovery and access.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was posted online for two months. It targeted people with print disability who are using the audiobook app Lydhør. It was finally possible to gather responses from 113 respondents. Two open-ended questions dealing with search and metadata issues were selected for qualitative analysis.

Findings

Most respondents mentioned the Lydhør’s intolerance to spelling errors as a problem. Some suggested the use of faceted metadata, such as genres, for exploratory search to offset frustration caused by spelling errors. Most respondents indicated the importance of summaries to be shown among search results, implying their significance for lookup searches. There have been few demands related to accessibility metadata.

Originality/value

This study could be a valuable input for inclusive/universal design of library search interfaces.

Keywords

Citation

Beyene, W.M. and Godwin, T. (2018), "Accessible search and the role of metadata", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 36 No. 1, pp. 2-17. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-08-2017-0170

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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