Sewickley Public Library: OverDrive Updates Accessibility In Libby App

Press release from Sewickley Public Library:

December 30, 2021

OverDrive – the library’s largest digital collections vendor – has been working to improve the accessibility of the popular Libby app. Recent updates make reading ebooks, magazines and listening to audiobooks in Libby more accessible for all readers, including users with a diverse range of visual, motor, and cognitive needs.

Many Libby updates throughout 2021 focused on improving Libby’s screen reader experience. OverDrive is partnering with Fable—an accessibility platform powered by people with disabilities—to interview blind and low vision users directly and hear their feedback on Libby’s user experience. Based on the feedback received so far and informed by industry standards, like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), OverDrive made several improvements, including:

• Screen reader support: Low-vision and blind users can use screen readers to browse, borrow, read ebooks and magazines, and listen to audiobooks in Libby. Currently, Libby is tested with screen readers on the native mobile apps for iOS and Android, with plans to expand testing to desktop screen readers like NVDA and JAWS in the future.
• Read From Here: When using a screen reader, low-vision and blind users can enter “Read From Here” mode to have the text of an ebook or magazine read aloud.
• Navigation Bar labels: There’s an option in the in-app menu to add labels beneath each of the navigation bar icons.Note: This setting is currently only available in the English language.
• Adjustable text size: Libby uses the text size setting of the user’s device and scales the text in the app accordingly. Users can increase the text size in ebooks manually.
• Adjustable playback speed for audiobooks: Users can choose from 48 speed settings to find the speed that best suits their needs.
• Keyboard shortcuts: Shortcuts in Libby’s ebook reader and audiobook player supplement the keyboard navigation.
• Lighting options: Libby uses the device’s built-in lighting setting and displays the app in light or dark mode accordingly. Users can also choose a lighting option (light, dark, or sepia) in the ebook reader manually.

OverDrive notes that Libby’s accessibility will continue to improve as web standards and browser support for assistive technologies evolve. If you have any questions or feedback on the accessibility of OverDrive services, please contact the Reference Desk at 412-741-6920.

This press release was produced by Sewickley Public Library. The views expressed here are the author’s own.