Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to investigate current library services for people with disabilities in Greece and their information seeking behavior and to study both libraries' and users' perspectives in this field for the first time in Greece. Design/methodology/approach -Survey methodology has been used as the basic research tool by sending questionnaires both to Greek libraries and to associations for the disabled. Findings -The paper depicts the lack of library services to the disabled and acknowledges possible barriers but also presents several, recent steps of improvement and development in Greek libraries.Research limitations/implications -Difficulty in identifying these vulnerable group of disabled users and estimating their exact figures. Originality/value -This paper is useful for information professionals who seek a greater understanding of library services for people with disabilities in Greece, since there is almost no literature and research relevant to this topic. Furthermore, it shows that effective library programs for disabled users are generally lacking in Greece.

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PurposeTo investigate the current use of assistive technologies (AT) in Greek libraries, unveil the relationship between AT suppliers and library authorities and achieve a better understanding of companies' and libraries' perspective.Design/methodology/approachSurvey methodology has been used as the basic research tool by sending mailed questionnaires to AT enterprises and libraries.FindingsOverall, the study stresses the lack of AT in Greek libraries. It depicts that the current legal and regulatory framework as regards AT is insufficient and concludes that libraries are not interested in such products and services.Research limitations/implicationsSeveral libraries chose not to participate in this research probably because they were totally unaware and unfamiliar with disability and AT issues and consequently, they did not have anything to state.Originality/valueThis paper is useful for information professionals who seek a greater understanding of the extent to which AT products are used in library authorities of Greece, since there is almost no literature and research relevant to this topic.

The purpose of national libraries is to provide full access to the information society for everybody, including people with disabilities. This paper describes the role of national libraries in the provision of library services to the disabled. It investigates the current national library services for patrons with disabilities and their service quality through a mailed questionnaire to 49 national libraries worldwide. However, some libraries chose not to participate in this research for several intervening factors. The findings depict the lack of adequate library services and programmes for the disabled. Furthermore, this study attempts to identify the reasons that national libraries are not fully accessible and encourages their greater inclusion in the planning and delivery of their services.

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