IFLA Journal· 2026Q2
Serve yourself: A digital engagement framework for automatic text recognition and inclusive audience development
- 0citations
- Q2SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Automatic Text Recognition (ATR) can ameliorate access to library collections by converting manuscript images to machine-readable text, but requires careful implementation considering space and user needs.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- Automatic Text Recognition (ATR) converts manuscript images into machine-readable text, enhancing library collection accessibility.
- Implementing ATR requires careful consideration of technical affordances, potential disruptions, and overheads.
- The study used Action Research at the National Library of Scotland, combining staff interviews and drop-in sessions.
- Successful ATR implementation depends on library space and specific pathways for user inclusion, accounting for sociodemographic factors, AI awareness, and digital skills.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
With digital scanners for heritage material becoming increasingly accessible, libraries require guidance to locally implement such technologies. Clear assessments as to technical affordances, potential disruptions and overheads are needed, especially if libraries are to harness such technologies for greater digital engagement. This paper focuses on scanners aligned to Automatic Text Recognition: the AI-enabled process of converting images-of-manuscripts into machine-readable text. In doing so, it fills a noticeable gap in documenting scanning processes as reproducible workflows. Action Research is used to ensure practitioner perspectives direct this assessment, conducted within the National Library of Scotland: combining drop-in sessions with staff interviews. ATR is found to be a creative and intentional way of ameliorating access issues to library collections, while requiring measures to limit disruption in reading rooms. By demonstrating ATR to be dependent on library space, specific pathways to user inclusion are charted: accounting for sociodemographic factors, AI awareness and digital skills.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. IFLA Journal, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Human Factors and Ergonomics
Human Factors and ErgonomicsSocial Sciences