Across China. Digital libraries light up inner world of visually impaired

Xinhua

25th November 2022

Across China. Digital libraries light up inner world of visually impaired

Zhang Xuejing recently enjoyed a nice movie together with eight other visually impaired people at a library in east China's Shandong Province.

It was a barrier-free version of The Magical Brush, a well-known Chinese film. Audio descriptions were added to help the special audience understand the story.

"The descriptions were so vivid that I felt I was just beside the brave and smart protagonist Ma Liang," said Zhang. "Every time I am in the theater I feel refreshed and delighted."

Barrier-free movies are one of several digital services the Shandong Library has launched to enrich the cultural life of the visually impaired. As early as 2013, the library initiated a digital library project for the group, converting paper books into audio materials that are accessible online. To date, the total data storage of digital resources has reached 15 terabytes with over 3 million visits.

Through coordination with 17 public libraries across Shandong, the provincial library has distributed 15,000 sets of smart audio book players for free.

https://english.news.cn/20221123/0bea559d42f84484a7a815310ad6035e/c.html