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.
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.
How can libraries, museums, and archives update their policies to balance legal requirements with the needs of their users? Although such issues have always permeated the information environment, traditional responses are no longer enough. This in-depth treatment provides concrete background and guidelines for every library, museum, or archive, no matter what the size or mission. Issues related to the components of the collection, gifts, and donations (real property and tax implications), rights to privacy, users' rights of access, copyright and information control, and responsibility for safety in public spaces are covered in depth. A complete chapter is devoted to a discussion of the proper structure and elements of library, museum, or archives policy content-a superb blueprint for effective policy drafting at all levels of the institutional lifecycle. Finally, a resource list of ethical and legal materials in print and on the Web points the way to a wealth of highly specific and useful information. Timely and essential.
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. - 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
"Exploring the myriad issues regarding web accessibility, this book specifically focuses on the design and implementation of web-enabled teaching tools. Educators from across the United States and Canada present their ideas on such topics as legal implications, overcoming organizational barriers, and course designs for the electronic classroom. Also discussed are special opportunities provided by web accessibility in education, such as web-based distance learning and teaching technology for blind or visually impaired faculty."
This book contains nearly one thousand individual ideas and bits of advice for teaching. Topics range from preparing for a session to looking over the classroom, and from dealing with questions to using visuals, Web pages, and handouts. There are suggestions for teaching audiences with different learning styles as well as teaching foreign students (and vice versa). Group learning ideas and practical suggestions for what to put on feedback forms are also included. Promoting library instruction, teaching via distance education, dealing with disruptive students, and coping with burnout are addressed with applicable recommendations. There is an extensive bibliography and recommended resources throughout for additional or more detailed descriptions of some of the ideas. Example syllabi and a workshop outline are provided as appendixes.
'These contextual cases remind us that we think best when the issues before us evoke both passion and professionalism. Here are vividly detailed everyday tensions of librarianship, portrayed among human complexities and imaginable lives. We become stronger not by crafting elegant solutions, but by conducting focused contemplation and multifaceted talk.' -Dr David Carr, Associate Professor, School of Information and Library Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
"This set of books represents a detailed compendium of authoritative, research-based entries that define the contemporary state of knowledge on technology"--Provided by publisher.
