The Latvian Society of the Blind (LSB) sought to create a digital library to provide services for visually impaired members. NeoLibre implemented a three phase project: 1) Content production through scanning books and recording audio books. 2) Data processing including indexing, metadata and segmentation. 3) A web platform integrated for universal access and compliant with W3C guidelines, with registration determining user needs and a downloadable offline option. The result was a modern digital library establishing 5,000 active users and benefits for updating LSB's services.

1. NeoLibre’s Solution
for the Latvian Society
of the Blind
} A Brief Overview of the Case Study

2. Client Profile
The Latvian Society
of the Blind (LSB)
The main service access
point for blind
and artially-sighted
persons in Latvia

3. Client Profile
The Goal
To provide services to
visually impaired LSB
members at home

4. Client Needs
The Vision
To provide visually
impaired persons with
a digital library on
a single online platform

5. NeoLibre Solutions
Implementation of
a three-phase project
Initial Step Analysis of Client’s Needs
1 Content 2 Data 3 Web
Production Processing Integration

6. Phase 1 - Content Production
Need
Text Digitization
Solution
A unit of 30 workstations was set up
at the LSB facilities to ensure a
scanning capacity of 3,000 books
per month

7. Phase 1 - Content Production
Need
An Improved Audio Book Collection
Solution
• Organizing two sound recording studios
• Audio book recording carried out by
professional in-house staff: Project Manager,
Recording Director, two sound engineers,
and a team of professional narrators

8. Phase 2 - Data Processing
Need
A Unified Database for All Materials
Solution
• Full text indexation
• Metadata input
• Segmentation
• Updating with content links to other
related digital works

9. Phase 3 - Web Integration
Need
An Intregrated Web Platform
Solution
Created a web platform in compliance
with Universal Design Requirements
and Web Content Accessibility
Guidelines (W3C)

10. Phase 3 - Web Integration
Need
An Intregrated Web Platform
Solution
The system interface was adapted for
use with screen-reading programs and
Braille keyboards and printers

11. Phase 3 - Web Integration
Need
An Intregrated Web Platform
Solution
Developed a registration module that
determines visitors’ special needs and
provides an appropriate interface version

12. Phase 3 - Web Integration
Additional Features
Special functions such as
contrast, text, and screen color
change were implemented

13. Phase 3 - Web Integration
Additional Features
Users were provided with
additional tools for working
with content: the options to add
notes, highlight text, bookmark
text and audio items,
full search, and more

14. Phase 3 - Web Integration
Additional Features
The opportunity
to use content online as well
as offline by downloading
audio material to various
devices and print text
in Braille and other formats

15. NeoLibre Solutions
The Result
Established a modern
digital library
appropriate for blind
and visually impaired
people!

16. NeoLibre Solutions
User Benefits
5,000 satisfied LBS members
who actively use the library’s
content both online and
offline from access
points of their choosing

17. NeoLibre Solutions
Benefits for
the Organization
In addition to achieving
the initial goal, the implemented
system provides usage statistics
that help to update the library’s
content today and its services
in the future