SU10Q4Response

You have been asked to develop a multi-lingual, accessible Web-based information system for your information agency. You will be making the decisions about technology selection, usability and access, metadata design, and content management. Select an information environment of your choice and discuss the following questions:

a. How will you approach issues of providing access to materials in multiple languages and multiple formats (e.g., large print; audio)? b. Which LIS theories and principles will guide your decision-making process? c. What role will information and communications standards and recommendations play in your development approach?

Setting: School library //A. How will you approach issues of providing access to materials in multiple languages, multiple formats (e.g., large print; audio); and non-Roman alphabets?//
 * Necessary to first make sure current technology will support multiple languages/formats
 * Need to have access to excellent translators, to translate interfaces and materials.
 * User interface needs to support resizable characters and screen readers
 * Software would need to support the necessary formats; a streaming server may be needed for large audio/video file

//B. Which LIS theories and principles will guide your decision-making process?// //Example:// Ranganathan's laws: "Books are for use","Every reader his or her book", "Every book its reader", "Save the time of the reader," and "The Library is a growing organism." "__Books are for use"__: Support of the digital objects must include backup copies and scripts that check continually for corruption, as if the objects become corrupt, they cannot be used. "__Every reader his or her book"__: The site must contain resources that are appropriate for all the targeted users. In addition, we need open access, or at least accessibility by the targeted users "__Every book its reader__": To locate the targeted reader, outreach to connect the material with the user who needs it. "__Save the time of the reader__": The website must be designed with usability in mind, and search and retrieval, and browse options must be functional and targeted to the user audience. "__The Library is a growing organism__": Provisions must be made for expansion, adaptation, and change. Existing formats of files and the delivery system itself, will need to be migrated time after time to remain current and accessible. Files may need revision and correction. Collections are likely to grow and/or be repurposed in different ways over time; audiences are likely to change, requiring adaptation in search, browse, and other discovery and display methods. The ongoing support and maintenance of the system must be expected and planned for.

//C. What role will information and communications standards and recommendations play in your development approach?// //***not sure here...// In a school setting, will need to not only discuss the infastructure of our current system, but Will need also need to consider the AASL standards for the 21st Century learner -- how can we use this sort of system to meet those goals. Also need to consider:
 * student access to computers
 * current devices (handhelds, desktops, laptops, mobile devices)
 * access to digital content
 * teacher training and readiness