Volume 12, Issue 1

This is an exploratory study of public library services in Singapore for young people (defined as those people between thirteen to nineteen years of age) who are wheelchair bound. Three main research questions are explored:
· What are the information needs of wheelchair-bound young people?
· What are their perceptions of libraries and library services?
· What are the problems they face in using library facilities and services?
The study involves eleven wheelchair-bound people between the ages of twelve and twenty who were selected by means of a purposive sample.
Findings indicate that most participants enjoyed reading books but did not read newspapers. The computer was used primarily as a recreational tool, and the convenience of the Internet appealed to them. There were, however, problems in using computer equipment in the libraries. School libraries were generally inaccessible, and. there were also problems in using public library services and facilities as well as being in public places. Their use of public libraries was infrequent. They were unaware of the full range of library facilities and services.
The study concluded that there was a need and demand for library services by wheelchair-bound young people. Their information needs and reading habits were no different from those of any young person. Current library promotions were inadequate in stimulating or sustaining their awareness and interest. Transportation was the main obstacle in getting to libraries. The problems faced in using libraries were mainly related to architectural and physical access to library facilities and services.

No abstract available.

No abstract available.

Introduction
Library web services are changing and expanding rapidly. The increasing complexity and quantity of subject electronic information resources, novel ways of providing information and services, cross functionality and complexity of the online catalog and general web sites, and the increasing expectations of users have made web design decision making all the more difficult. These factors must be incorporated in an evolving design so that library users are assisted by the changes, not stymied. Furthermore, the skills of a library web site user cover a spectrum between beginner to expert while user needs run the gamut from highly comprehensive research to vague information requests based on expediency and convenience. A library web site must cater to all these audiences by gauging the effectiveness of the services.
It is not always apparent how users are actually being served by the plethora of service links on a library web site. Measuring quality and effectiveness of a library web site is not as simple as counting books, library seating, and circulation statistics. Many librarians have resorted to increased instruction to deal with this complexity and subtlety. Measuring how library web-site visitors use and perform on a library web site can, however, provide a baseline for future enhancements. Special design techniques and usage statistics can help library web developers in adapting their web sites to the needs of library web site users as services and technology change.