Creating Inclusive Library Environments: A Planning Guide for Serving Patrons with Disabilities

Michelle Kowalsky · John Woodruff

Oct 2016 · American Library Association

About this ebook

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.

About the author

Michelle Kowalsky is a librarian and professor at Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey. She teaches and supervises undergraduate learners and graduate students in their research endeavors. Michelle holds an EdD from Pepperdine University and an MLS from Rutgers University, and is a National Board Certified Teacher of Library Media. Her most recent activities have been upgrade of Campbell Library’s Digital Learning Center with software and furniture recommended by students with disabilities; development of information literacy instruction and reference services in a variety of subject areas, most recently for business majors; and supervision of dissertation research for doctoral students in the College of Education. Prior to working in academia, she worked as a public librarian, a corporate librarian, and a K−12 school librarian and teacher for over 20 years.

John Woodruff is Director of the Academic Success Center and Disability Resources at Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey. He coordinates campus services for students with disabilities and manages transitions for students entering college. John holds an MS in Health Education from St. Joseph’s University and a BS in Business Administration from St. Francis University (Loretto, Pennsylvania). His most recent activities include outreach to faculty and students to increase empathy for the varying needs of students; development of year-round speaker programs, activities, and events to promote understanding on campus and in the local community; and leadership of faculty-led and community-led strategic partnerships for awareness, training, and mentoring. His professional career reflects over 30 years of education, training, administration, and management of employment and training programs for persons with disabilities.