Unit 8 - Kindle

I have decided to research Amazon’s Kindle for my Wiki project. As an avid reader, I wanted to learn more about e-Readers and eBooks. I was paging through Oprah’s “O Magazine” a few weeks ago and saw an advertisement for Amazon’s Kindle. While I have heard about e-Readers previously, I have to admit this was the first time that I saw what one looked like. I am sure I have seen a picture of one in the past, but the image did not stick with me. Upon first impression, the Kindle reminded me of the first palm pilots that were released years ago. With this in mind, I am not sure that I would enjoy reading from a Kindle. I am the type of person that needs to print everything out even when it is available online so that I have a tangible copy that I can write on. Typically, reading from a computer hurts my eyes, and I find it hard to focus reading in this environment. Also, there is something about being able to turn a page and house a book on a shelf that appeals to me. However, I still wanted to find out more Amazon’s Kindle for my Wiki project.

In my research, I kept coming across the fact that Amazon’s Kindle lacks assistive technology features for those with disabilities. In the article “The E-Book Reader Lacks Features for the Blind and Mobility Impaired,” author Suzanne Robitaille discusses the fact that Amazon failed to include assistive technology in the Kindle 2. Robitaille (2009) shares that while the Kindle 2 does include a text-to-speech function; it is inadequate due to the fact that there are only two voices available, male and female. In addition, the Kindle 2 only includes 6 fonts that go up to 18 points, certainly not a large enough text for those with visual impairments. Robitaille (2009) concludes by stating “Overall, Amazon missed a huge opportunity to market this new device to people with disabilities. Perhaps Amazon doesn't think the disabled can afford the $359 price tag, but people with disabilities are apt to spend twice as much on technology that will improve their lives. Unfortunately the Kindle 2 isn't one of them” (p. 1)

When thinking about technology, it is usually those with disabilities that benefit the most. After all, tools have been developed to aide those with disabilities using technology for years before they were available to the general public. Most of the time, these assistive tools cost more than what we pay for a mediocre computer. So, as a future librarian, it makes me think about whether or not e-Readers are something that I want to include in my library. Or, if I do include them I will need to make sure that I find a comparable tool for those with disabilities to use.

Robitaille, S. (2009). The e-book reader lacks features for the blind and mobility impaired. Retrieved November 7, 2009, from
http://assistivetechnology.suite101.com/article.cfm/amazons_new_kindle_isnt_very_accessible

I also researched ways in which different schools are using Kindle in classrooms and libraries. Here is what I found:

Cushing Academy, Massachusetts
Cushing private boarding school has recently picked the Kindle to replace its current 20,000 book traditional library. It has even gone to the extent of turning the old circulation desk into a cafe bar. There has been a lot of controversy over the decision which is mainly focused on loss of intellectual independence. The school is defending this citing most students use currently use the Internet and electronic resources. Consequently, this is the best resource the school can offer. Of the 20,000 books that the library once contained 10,000 now remain, and the rest are due to be donated to other institutions by the end of next year.

Toppo, G. (2009, October 27). School chooses kindle; are libraries for the history ‘books’? USA Today. Retrieved November 7, 2009, from
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-10-26-kindle-school-library_N.htm

University of Wisconsin
Recently the University of Wisconsin - Madison terminated its experiment with the Kindle device. The university stated that the reason for the termination was that the device was not able to be used by blind students. They did say that the device offered text to speech; however, a sighted user was required to select and download literature. Amazon has stated that they are working on problem. The University of Syracuse recently terminated its program for similar reasons.

Graef, J. (2009). University of Wisconsin-madison drops classroom kindles. Retrieved November 7, 2009, from
http://www.collegenews.com/index.php?/article/university_of_wisconsin_madison_drops_classroom_kindles_11131252009383/