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Electronic Resources and eBooks
KPU Library’s collections primarily comprise of subscriptions to electronic resources and ebooks. These resources have varying features or tools that facilitate access or enable content to be read by screen readers. Ease of use may depend on tool capabilities, individual needs and technological factors.
Need help navigating an eresource? Contact your Liaison Librarian to make a one-on-one appointment or contact libinclusion@kpu.ca. We are happy to help guide you through a resource and how to best access the content you need.
Physical Collections
Our physical collections are housed in shelves that can reach up to 71 inches (180cm) with space between shelves as little as 46 inches (117 cm) wide. For assistance retrieving physical material, library users can place book requests through the library's catalogue or ask at any library service counter or desk.
Catalogue Accessibility Mode
Our library's catalogue has an accessibility mode that can be enabled by selecting the person icon (second icon from the right) from the navigation icons at the start of the screen. This mode makes it easier to navigate using a screen reader and commands. You can also visit KPU Library Catalogue Accessibility Mode.
Collection Services
We also offer access to the collections to KPU employees and students through our Link.Scan.Open service. This service provides:
- Accessible PDFs of library material within Fair Dealing (described in next section)
- Providing direct links to requested articles and eresources in the library's collection
Accessible PDF Scans
KPU Library offers accessible (searchable and screen-reader friendly) PDF scans of library material within Fair Dealing to KPU students and faculty if ebooks or online versions of material are not available or appropriate. This service is offered through Link.Scan.Open (LSO). If material beyond Fair Dealing (typically one chapter or 1 article from a journal) is needed, KPU students should contact KPU Accessibility Services to arrange for support, see below.
Accessible PDFs from LSO are reviewed and edited by KPU Library staff to include the following:
- Searchable text: text is recognized by the computer when searched and can be read by a screen reader
- Document structure tags: Headings, paragraphs, images, etc.
- Document Title
- Specified document language
- Logical reading order
- Alternative text for non-text elements such as simple images.
Document elements that may not be supported:
- Complex table, figure, image translation.
- Descriptions of mathematical or scientific diagrams.
The scans KPU Library offers are created using OCR technology and are reviewed and edited by library staff. OCR is an acronym for Optical Character Recognition. Using OCR technology to scan documents enables us to offer screen-reader friendly PDFs with basic navigational features. Please note that technical figures such as graphs and charts may not be able to be transcribed. Visit LinkScanOpen for more information about this service.
Third Party Pick-Up
Need someone else to pick up your material? KPU Library offers a third-party authorization option, where users can complete the Third-Party Release for Library Information and Transactions form and email it to libcirc@kpu.ca. This will allow the authorized third party to pick up books on your behalf.
Alternate Format Textbooks
Students who require course readings in alternate formats should consult with KPU Accessibility Services and their Accessibility Advisor after selecting their courses. KPU Accessibility Services consults with the library on your behalf. They may need to pursue third-party services and support to fulfill your request if your readings are not available from the library. Visit KPU Accessibility Services to connect with an advisor.