The Ubiquitous Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped — a case study of the LG Sangnam Library, Korea

Abstract

This paper presents a project of the LG Sangnam Library that made real the concept of a ubiquitous library. The project intends to provide a service so that the print-disabled can take advantage of the library system and information services without complicated procedures in connections and user certifications by using NFC (Near Field Communication) technology-applied mobile phones. This model is composed of three scenarios. The first scenario offers a Digital Talking Book (DAISY) over the Internet. A user with a NFC reader-equipped mobile phone simply touches a dongle that is connected to a computer and enables the computer to conduct NFC and Bluetooth communications. The second scenario uses a wireless connection to the Internet via a mobile phone and the final scenario uses voice services via a telephone to access the library services. In the library services, users can listen to Digital Talking Books in real time. As shown in the scenarios, the purpose of the project is to offer a comfortable information environment for the print-disabled, including the blind and physically handicapped, by using ubiquitous technology.