VoiceLib as an innovation in inclusive library services for blind users at the Library of Malang State University

Abstrak

Introduction. Information accessibility for visually impaired users at the Universitas Negeri Malang Library is hindered by a limited range of collection formats. This study aims to develop and evaluate VoiceLib, an integrated text-to-audio conversion system designed to bridge the accessibility gap independently. Research Methods. This Research and Development (R&D) study adopted the Waterfall model, encompassing requirements analysis, interface design, system implementation, testing, and maintenance. The evaluation used questionnaires administered to three expert validators, along with a field trial involving 10 purposively sampled visually impaired students and 2 purposively sampled librarians. Data Analysis. Validity and feasibility data were collected via questionnaires and analyzed using quantitative descriptive techniques to calculate feasibility score percentages. Results. VoiceLib was successfully developed as a web-based platform that not only converts text to audio but also manages the conversion results within a single platform. Validation tests achieved 82.30% from subject matter experts and 83.55% from media experts. Field trials confirmed the system’s high usability, with a score of 97.7% from students and 100% from librarians. Conclusion. VoiceLib introduces a novel approach by integrating media conversion services and digital collection storage within a single system. This innovation practically supports the independence of visually impaired library users, fostering more inclusive library services.

Kata kunci

Subjek

Academic Library · disability services · media conversion · visually impaired library users · voicelib