Improving Services for Patrons with Print Disabilities at Public Libraries: Moving Forward to Become More Inclusive
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Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities and the Inclusive Future of Libraries
ISBN: 978-1-78560-653-3, eISBN: 978-1-78560-652-6
Publication date: 14 December 2015
Abstract
Purpose
The chapter provides instruction on how public libraries can improve the services that they provide to community members with print-related disabilities.
Methodology/approach
A combination of methods was used (interview, survey, document analysis, usability testing, and expert inspection), to investigate the current level of service provided to community members who are blind or low vision by the Baltimore County Public Library, in five areas:
1. Web Accessibility and Maintenance
2. Staff Awareness and Training
3. Physical Environment of the Library
4. Library offerings, including databases, materials, and equipment: what we have now and what we should have
5. Marketing materials: what, how, and where to be more visible
Findings
In all five areas, there were important findings about current barriers to accessibility, and suggestions for improvement in the future were made in the chapter.
Practical implications
The chapter details the steps taken by a large public library system, in a challenging budget environment, with changing leadership, to make improvements in the quality of service provided to people who are blind or low vision.
Originality/value
In the past, people with print-related disabilities were often referred to the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. However, over time, the nature of materials acquisitions at public libraries has changed. A large percentage of materials acquired by public libraries is now in digital format, which provides an opportunity for public libraries to start providing services to people with print disabilities.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the 25 students in the class, who performed the data collection: Kazeem Adelakun, Faisal Aljahdali, Abdulsalam Almohammadi, Christopher Bisselle, Alan Blitstein, Ryan Clagett, Allan Consolati, Jacqueline Dillard, Kareem Downs, Camille Dumenigo, Jason Gierczak, Anthony Hammond, Jamie Jamison, Audrey Kelly, Andrew Lipka, Elijah Moore, Joseph Nelson, Alexandra Protani, Anthony Reda, Robert Reed, Anthony Thomas, Michael Walton, Michael Wilkins, Victoria Williams, and Alyssa Wright. The authors would also like to acknowledge Jim DeArmey, BCPL Manager of Information Services, who provided the historical background of the BCPL web. The authors would also like to thank Paula Miller, Library Director of BCPL and the members of the Accessibility and Disability Action Plan, Deb Brothers, Jess Crutchley, Janice Helliwell, Brenda Perkins-Johnson, Ashley Rogers, Pat Sweaney, and Nicole Wilson for their commitment and work on the committee and assistance in providing information to the authors.
Citation
Lazar, J. and Briggs, I. (2015), "Improving Services for Patrons with Print Disabilities at Public Libraries: Moving Forward to Become More Inclusive
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015 Emerald Group Publishing Limited