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Improving Library Services to People with Disabilities

Edited by Courtney Deines-Jones, Consultant, USA

Chandos Information Professional Series

 - pragmatic approach gives librarians tools they can use immediately to improve their services
 - policy overviews help librarians understand advocacy issues
 - emphasis on universal access helps librarians and decision-makers understand how improving services for people with disabilities improves services for all patrons
 - authors include people who have disabilities and are practicing librarians
 - truly international book, including authors from academic and public libraries from several nations

The book takes account of the key fact that to maximize their potential, people must have lifelong access to the information and services offered through books and libraries. Whether to address concerns of an ageing population or to enable all citizens to contribute fully through meaningful education and work opportunities, more emphasis is being given to promoting library services to people who have disabilities. This book is a compendium of articles focused on serving adults with disabilities in an international setting. From this book, librarians, policy makers and constituents will understand the importance of serving all potential patrons, will be exposed to best practices and model programs, and will learn techniques and strategies for improving the services their libraries offer.

Readership: Public librarians; academic librarians; and library students.

£42.50 / US$70.00 / €50.00

£62.50 / US$105.00 / €75.00

An e-book version of this title is available to purchase as part of a Collection or Pick n Mix. Visit Chandos Publishing Online

About the editor

Courtney Deines-Jones, editor, is an independent consultant specializing in universal access, services to people with disabilities, and services to older adults. She received her BA in 1984 from the University of Pennsylvania and her MLIS in 1992 from Louisiana State University. She is an active member of the American Library Association (ALA) and is the ALA representative to the International Federation of Library Agencies Standing Committee on Library Services to the Blind. Contributing authors include: Mary Beth Allen, Applied Life Studies Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA; Matthew Atkinson and Jatinder Dhiensa, Loughborough University, UK; Kevin Carey, humanITy, UK; Bernadette Cassidy, Allan Bean Centre for Research and Learning in Rehabilitation (New Zealand); AnneMarie Cooke, Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, USA; Christine Wamunyima Kanyengo, Medical Library, University of Zambia School of Medicine; Youngsook Lee, National Library of Korea; Ayo Onatola, St. Christopher Iba Mar Diop College of Medicine, UK; Christine Tilley, Queensland University of Technology, Australia.

Contents

Improving library services to people with print disabilities: the role of technology in public libraries
Matthew Tylee Atkinson and Jatinder Dhiensa
 - Introduction
 - Background
 - Alternative formats
 - Technology adoption – the accessibility cycle
 - Using adaptive technologies for print materials
 - Adapting electronic information
 - Future trends – a better way
 - Conclusion
 - Note

Library services to people with special needs: a discussion of blind and visually impaired people as an exemplar
Kevin Carey
 - Alternative format production and libraries
 - The right to read, copyright, and graphical information
 - The global library
 - Towards superfluity
 - Information systems and convergence
 - The librarian as facilitator
 - Conclusion
 - Notes

Library services to people who are deaf
Mary Beth Allen
 - Introduction to deafness
 - Demographics and prevalence of hearing loss and deafness
 - Educational and occupational opportunities
 - Barriers to library service for people who are deaf
 - Examples of excellent library services
 - Ideas to improve library service
 - Implementing technological solutions
 - Using the Internet to improve service
 - Internet resources

Adaptive technology for people with physical disabilities using information and communications technology
C. M. Tilley, C. S. Bruce and G. Hallam
 - Introduction
 - Adaptive technology and disability
 - Adaptive technology enables people with physical disabilities to access ICT
 - The assistive technology information centre model
 - Including patrons in assistive technology selection
 - The impact of assistive technology and ICT on people with disabilities
 - The importance of enabling legislation
 - Removing barriers to library ICT access
 - The future – improving information services
 - Notes

Reaching people with disabilities in developing countries through academic libraries
Ayo Onatola
 - Introduction
 - What constitutes disability?
 - Government policies in developing countries: the example of Nigeria
 - The impact of academic libraries on people with disabilities
 - Other initiatives to improve academic library services
 - Conclusions
 - Notes

Finding the means to improve services
Young Sook Lee
 - Introduction
 - Abilities of people with disabilities
 - Library service initiatives for people with disabilities
 - Information technology as an opportunity for mainstream libraries
 - Less prepared librarians and other stumbling blocks
 - Conclusion

Low-cost/no-cost ways to improve service right now
Courtney Deines-Jones
 - Introduction
 - Barriers to library use
 - Involving the community
 - Improving the physical facility
 - Improving service
 - Addressing staff attitudes
 - Low-cost tools and equipment
 - Conclusion
 - Notes

Further reading and resources
Laura Roberts Gottlieb
 - Introduction
 - Bibliography
 - Guidelines and standards for serving patrons with disabilities
 - Organisations
 - Funding