AudioIndex - the Talking Library

Being the most accessible library in the world is the ambition of the libraries in the UmeåRegion. In the project Bibliotek 2007, we have worked enthusiastically to adapt our services to the needs of the general public by implementing many new measures. This year we are presenting AudioIndex at the Umeå Public Library. It is a unique aid for the visually impaired that has already aroused considerable international attention.

A talking handheld computer
AudioIndex is like a little scanner with a wireless headset. When you point to a book, its title and author are presented and you can listen to a short summary. In this way, visually impaired people can search for and discover new books directly in the library's bookshelves at their own pace.

Scanning
The actual technology uses RF tags, which require that each talking book has an electronic chip. The visually impaired person is then able to browse among the books with the aid of the scanner. Roughly like a seeing person can ‘scan´ the titles until he or she finds something interesting.

Developed by the Umeå Institute of Design, Umeå University
AudioIndex has been developed by the Umeå Institute of Design, Umeå University. The system is included in the project Bibliotek 2007, where the objective is to increase accessibility to the services and facilities of the library.

At the Umeå Public Library
AudioIndex will be available at the Umeå Public Library's Talking Books section and at Äppelhyllor in the Children's section starting in the Spring 2006.

Pointing device
When the visitor points at a book, information is retrieved by the handheld computer from the server and it is transmitted as synthetic speech directly to the visitor.

For further information contact:

Gunni Öberg
Umeå Public Library
Phone: +46 (90) 16 33 52
Mobile: +46 (70) 312 33 52

Oskar Fjellström
Research Engineer
Design Research Group
Umeå Institute of Design
Phone: +46 (90) 786 76 18