Creating Inclusive Library Environments

Creating Inclusive Library Environments
Author: Michelle Kowalsky
Publisher: American Library Association
Total Pages: 233
Release: 2016-10-31
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 083891487X

Librarians are continually faced with challenges of how to best meet the needs of patrons with disabilities, whether those patrons have physical or intellectual disabilities, differing learning styles, or even temporary problems which impact their access and may change over time. And because planning considerations range from policies and organizational culture to facilities, technologies, and beyond, librarians need a guide that covers everything: areas that can be addressed quickly and easily as well as those that require long-term strategies. That guide is here. Packed with research-based best practices and handy checklists applicable to all types of libraries, this comprehensive resource defines what makes environments barrier-free, whether physical or virtual, and talks about how libraries can develop a user-centered culture; includes techniques for writing policies and procedures that are clear, realistic, and flexible; provides strategies for setting up facilities, training staff, and maintaining daily operations; discusses collaboration and outreach through community partnerships, including ways to connect patrons with nonprofits and disability organizations; offers programming and workshop ideas such as open houses, tutorials, and tours of the library; delves into assistive technology, website design, making vendor-purchased products accessible, and other information technology issues; and shares ideas for library assessment, realigning strategies, and staying current. This planning guide will enable libraries to create and maintain a truly inclusive environment for all patrons.

Serving Patrons with Disabilities

Serving Patrons with Disabilities
Author: Kodi Laskin
Publisher: American Library Association
Total Pages: 88
Release: 2023-02-28
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 0838939554

Ensuring accessibility is more important than ever; however, answering questions of what needs to be done and why to make a library accessible can be an uncomfortable and daunting hurdle to true inclusion. This book is a safe, nonjudgmental tool for overcoming this awkwardness, offering readers practical, to-the-point information and guidance that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Its contributors showcase real-world stories and viewpoints that illustrate ways to provide excellent customer service and a safe environment to all patrons regardless of ability. Readers will learn about bridging the gap between people with disabilities and those without, through empathy, patience, and understanding; techniques for training staff and overcoming discomfort; making your library accessible for people with mobility issues; how to interact with and assist a person with limited sight or hearing; guidance for interacting with a service animal handler; advice on library programming for people with learning differences; and best practices for effective service to patrons who use a speech assistance device.

Libraries and Reading

Libraries and Reading
Author: Matthew Conner
Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing
Total Pages: 207
Release: 2020-01-23
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1789733871

In a climate of tightened budgets and severe demands on public literacy resources, Conner and Plocharczyck go to the foundations of social justice in Cultural Studies to show how the means of integrating those with disabilities into libraries and communities can be found in our everyday practices.

Library Programming for Autistic Children and Teens

Library Programming for Autistic Children and Teens
Author: Amelia Anderson
Publisher: American Library Association
Total Pages: 209
Release: 2021-04-12
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 0838994857

"This edition reflects the new knowledge that has been learned about autism since the publication of the first edition, amplifies the voices of autistic self-advocates, and provides new, easy-to-replicate programming ideas for successfully serving autistic children and teens"--

Library Programming for Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Library Programming for Adults with Developmental Disabilities
Author: Barbara Klipper
Publisher: ALA Editions
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2021-07-20
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 9780838948668

Programming staff, library administrators, and LIS instructors will find this an easy-to-read handbook for understanding the needs of adults with developmental disabilities and the principles that undergird the best practices the authors describe.

2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design

2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
Author: Department Justice
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2014-10-09
Genre:
ISBN: 9781500783945

(a) Design and construction. (1) Each facility or part of a facility constructed by, on behalf of, or for the use of a public entity shall be designed and constructed in such manner that the facility or part of the facility is readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, if the construction was commenced after January 26, 1992. (2) Exception for structural impracticability. (i) Full compliance with the requirements of this section is not required where a public entity can demonstrate that it is structurally impracticable to meet the requirements. Full compliance will be considered structurally impracticable only in those rare circumstances when the unique characteristics of terrain prevent the incorporation of accessibility features. (ii) If full compliance with this section would be structurally impracticable, compliance with this section is required to the extent that it is not structurally impracticable. In that case, any portion of the facility that can be made accessible shall be made accessible to the extent that it is not structurally impracticable. (iii) If providing accessibility in conformance with this section to individuals with certain disabilities (e.g., those who use wheelchairs) would be structurally impracticable, accessibility shall nonetheless be ensured to persons with other types of disabilities, (e.g., those who use crutches or who have sight, hearing, or mental impairments) in accordance with this section.

Disaster Response and Planning for Libraries

Disaster Response and Planning for Libraries
Author: Miriam B. Kahn
Publisher: American Library Association
Total Pages: 172
Release: 2003
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 9780838908372

Offers instructions on writing and implementing disaster plans for libraries.

Responding to Rapid Change in Libraries

Responding to Rapid Change in Libraries
Author: Callan Bignoli
Publisher: American Library Association
Total Pages: 20
Release: 2020-11-10
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 0838949789

In the face of rapid change and an ever-widening constellation of challenges, it’s crucial for library leaders to pull back to the question of “why?” Plotting a sustainable way forward depends upon recommitting ourselves to our underlying values, such as customer service and community-building, while fostering the improvements that change makes possible. With passion, patience, and fortitude, libraries can stride confidently into the future. In this book, noted speakers and consultants Bignoli and Stara speak directly to library directors, managers, administrators, and technology staff, offering concrete guidance on setting or resetting strategic priorities. Taking an interconnected and specific approach to planning for and strengthening the library environment as a whole, their book discusses why libraries should embrace change as a fundamental part of library life; explores how to harness rapid change to provide more responsive, user-centered library service; addresses the ways in which libraries straddle the physical and the digital, in areas such as service provision and collections, illuminating how they overlap and can be improved using similar philosophies; presents both a comprehensive overview of library technologies as well as related team and change management advice, all grounded in user experience principles; shows how the concepts of sustainability and flexibility apply to physical space planning and design, from furniture selection and arrangement to infrastructure; and provides sound guidance on project management, problem solving, preparing for future challenges, personal reflection and self-care, and other leadership topics.

Preparing Staff to Serve Patrons with Disabilities

Preparing Staff to Serve Patrons with Disabilities
Author: Courtney Deines-Jones
Publisher:
Total Pages: 168
Release: 1995
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN:

This manual provides the library manager with the background, techniques and tools needed to prepare frontline staff to meet the challenge of providing one-on-one and general service excellence to patrons with disabilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities and the Inclusive Future of Libraries

Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities and the Inclusive Future of Libraries
Author: Brian Wentz
Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing
Total Pages: 278
Release: 2015-12-14
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1785606522

With contributions from researchers, educators, and practitioners from across a range of fields, this volume will be an important resource for library professionals in all types of libraries as well as a reference for researchers and educators about the efforts, challenges and opportunities related to the inclusive future of libraries.