Libby Accessibility Enhancements |
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To support your library’s mission to serve every reader in your community, OverDrive has been working to improve the accessibility of the Libby app. Recent updates make Libby more accessible for all readers, including users with a diverse range of visual, motor, and cognitive needs. |
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OverDrive is partnering with Fable an accessibility platform powered by people with disabilities to interview blind and low vision users directly and hear their feedback on Libby’s user experience. Based on the feedback and informed by industry standards, like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), they have made several improvements, including:
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Screen reader support: Low-vision and blind users can use screen readers to browse, borrow, read eBooks and magazines, and listen to audiobooks in Libby. Currently, Libby is tested with screen readers on the native mobile apps for iOS and Android, with plans to expand testing to desktop screen readers like NVDA and JAWS in the future.
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Read From Here: When using a screen reader, low-vision and blind users can enter “Read From Here” mode to have the text of an eBook or magazine read aloud.
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Navigation Bar labels: There’s an option in the in-app menu to add labels beneath each of the navigation bar icons. Note: This setting is currently only available in the English language.
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Adjustable text size: Libby uses the text size setting of the user’s device and scales the text in the app accordingly. Users can increase the text size in eBooks manually.
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Adjustable playback speed for audiobooks: Users can choose from 48 speed settings to find the speed that best suits their needs.
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Keyboard shortcuts: Shortcuts in Libby’s eBook reader and audiobook player supplement the keyboard navigation.
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Lighting options: Libby uses the device’s built-in lighting setting and displays the app in light or dark mode accordingly. Users can also choose a lighting option (light, dark, or sepia) in the eBook reader manually.
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Screen reader and voice control improvements: We are refining the labels and descriptions of all interactive elements, making it easier for users of assistive technologies to understand and interact with the app.
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Keyboard focus indicators: We are making improvements to help users navigate Libby with a keyboard or any other assistive technology that does not have a pointing device, like a mouse or touch controls.
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New accessibility features (under Settings > Accessibility Features):
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Reduce Color Variation: By default, Libby adapts to the colors of book covers and the user’s active library. A new toggle will allow users to reduce such adaptive changes, favoring neutral colors with good contrast.
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Reduce Text Variation: The app uses a variety of font styles to convey meaning, such as italics for important actions. Users will be able to adjust this setting to simplify text styles.
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Reduce Motion: This setting will reduce most of the transitional motion in the interface. Users can also set this preference in their operating system or browser preferences, and Libby will apply it automatically.
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Reduce Haptics: On devices that support subtle vibrations (called haptics), Libby uses these to provide feedback on certain touch interactions. Users can either turn it off at the operating system level or in the new “Accessibility Features” menu.
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Orientation Locking: By default, Libby uses a “smart orientation” setting that chooses the device orientation that best suits the content. WCAG guidelines recommend that users should be able to override the default orientation of the app, which will be adjustable in the “Accessibility Features” menu.
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Full screen menus: The in-app menu will no longer open from the side of the app. Instead, it will open full screen. This makes keyboard and screen reader navigation more consistent and helps all users concentrate on the task they are trying to perform in the menu.
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Please welcome Kerry Chenier to the position of MHLS Administrative Associate! This part-time position provides assistance to the executive director and business office. Kerry comes to us from the Town of Ulster Public Library where she was the operations manager and their adult programmer. Kerry began work at MHLS on January 3rd. |
To allow member libraries to continue to support correctional facility libraries by donating discarded magazines, a temporary allowance is being made for the transportation of discarded magazines to MHLS via MHLS delivery. Member libraries can support correctional facility services and collections by donating discarded magazines for use in correction facility libraries. These donations were formerly accepted only by in-person delivery to MHLS facilities, but the pandemic and the suspension of in-person MHLS meetings and trainings means most libraries can’t transport these magazines to the MHLS facility.
Discarded magazines in good condition are welcome according to the guidelines below.
- Only discarded magazines will be acceptable for delivery. No other discarded media or formats have been approved for transportation through delivery.
- This is a temporary solution due to the lack of in-person meetings caused by the pandemic, and this will run through June 30th, 2022, at which point magazines will not be permitted to go through MHLS delivery.
- Discarded magazines being donated to correctional facilities should be bundled together and addressed to MHLS ILL.
- Discarded magazine bundles should be no more than 10 inches thick.
- Discarded magazine bundles may not be placed into Monday or Tuesday pickups due to high volume on these days.
- Libraries may not send more than one discarded magazine bundle per week.
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Thanks to Assemblymember Didi Barrett all member libraries within the 106th Assembly district received free KN95 masks and iHealth COVID-19 home tests to distribute to patrons. The Assemblymember and her staff hand-delivered packages to libraries and non-profit agencies. |
Pictured (l-r): Test kits and masks at Hyde Park Free Library, Assemblymember Barrett delivering masks to agencies within her district.
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There is still seats left in the Project Ready: Reimagining Equity and Access for Diverse Youth course. Join regional K-16 educators and public librarians as they go through this professional development program that runs from February 7th to June 10th, 2022. It will follow the Project READY syllabus developed by the University of North Carolina. Dr. Evangela Oates will facilitate this instructed online learning opportunity "designed for school and public youth services librarians, library administrators, and others interested in improving their knowledge about race and racism, racial equity, and culturally sustaining pedagogy. The primary focus of the Project READY curriculum is on improving relationships with services to, and resources for youth of color and Native youth."
This intensive 30 credit course has a fee of $225.00. To learn more about the program and to register visit https://www.senylrc.org/ProjectReady. Registration closes on February 1st.
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Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced a multi-agency initiative led by the New York State Department of Public Service to encourage eligible New Yorkers to sign up for the federal government's Affordable Connectivity Program, a newly-launched program that provides discounts of up to $30 a month toward internet service for low-income families.
The Department of Public Service, in coordination with other public-facing state agencies and Internet service providers, will lead a statewide awareness and marketing campaign under the Governor’s ConnectALL Initiative to increase enrollment among eligible New Yorkers. For too long, broadband has been out of reach for many New Yorkers because it is not affordable. In addition to reducing costs for consumers through capital investments, the Governor's pioneering ConnectAll Initiative aims to ensure that every New Yorker eligible to participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program is equipped with the information and support they need to enroll and begin benefitting. |
The U.S. COVID-19 free test kit website (https://www.covidtests.gov/) now has a phone number for households who have difficulty ordering their free kits online, 1-800-232-0233, TTY 1-888-720-7489.
Every household in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days through the United States Postal Service.
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Reference & Collection Development |
Join WebJunction for "Let's Talk Race" Toolkits on Tuesday, February 22nd at 3:00 pm. In this webinar staff from the Salt Lake City Public Library (SLCPL) will share how they built picture book-based kits to give caregivers the tools to have these important conversations. The session will also include discussion on book selection, the SLCPL framework for understanding racial literacy, and some of the joys and challenges that were faced during development and implementation. |
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MHLS Battle of the Books 2022 teams are forming! Battle of the Books is a book-related competition that takes place throughout the summer and early September. Teams are quizzed about books that they have read from the designated Battle of the Books reading list. Libraries interested in joining this year's battle should contact Jenn Gay, Battle of the Books President for more information and to be added to the coach’s listserv. Deadline for joining this year's competition is February 28 th. |
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Ask Me Anything (AMA) with Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MHLS Executive Director & Co-Author of the Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State is a monthly installment where Rebekkah will answer your questions! Feel free to submit your question here or to contact Rebekkah at rsmith@midhudson.org with the subject line: AMA Trustee Question.
Q. Does our board need to follow Robert’s Rules of Order during our board meetings?
A. Using Robert’s Rules of Order (RRO) is best practice. If the library’s bylaws specify it is used, then it should be used. Please be aware that Robert’s Rules of Order sometimes conflict with New York State Law, for example, in the area of calculating a quorum and executive session state law takes precedence over RRO. Check out the chapter on “ Library Board Meetings” from the Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State for more information on these issues.
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Administration & Management |
The MHLS New Directors Forum will take place on Thursday, February 3rd at 1:00 pm after the DA Business Meeting. The topic will be Grant Writing for Libraries. In this webinar, participants will learn how to incorporate grants as a part of a well-balanced basket of revenue streams; develop grant projects using community needs; identify library grant funding sources; and write a strong proposal with a realistic budget.
This webinar will be presented by Keturah Cappadonia. Keturah is the Outreach Consultant for the Southern Tier Library System (STLS) in Painted Post, NY. She has worked in public libraries for over twelve years in various roles. She has written a number of grant proposals; administers the STLS Outreach Mini-Grant program; and has served as a grant reviewer and consultant for various organizations, including the American Library Association.
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Library Clerk (part-time), Woodstock Public Library District
The Woodstock Library has an immediate, part-time opening (8-17.5 hours/week) for a friendly, patient, reliable, tech-savvy, flexible, detail-oriented and customer-service oriented person who is excited to work with patrons in a bustling community library.
Responsibilities include working with the public: assisting patrons, both in-person at the Library and over the phone, with a wide variety of informational needs. Staff person will be responsible for sorting, shelving, and locating library materials; maintaining organization and general appearance of library; providing simple directional information to patrons; and basic assistance on the use of the online library catalog, library resources, computers, and other technology or software.
Computer and alphabetization skills, high school diploma or equivalency required. Sense of humor recommended. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required.
Hours: weekdays and some Saturdays, 8 - 17.5 hours/week.
Wage: $15/hour, with paid vacation, sick, and personal time.
To apply please send your résumé to Library Director Ivy Gocker at director@woodstock.org and explain why you’d like to work with people at a busy public library. |
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