- Log in to post comments
Des Plaines Public Library has a key belief “that all library users are entitled to the highest level of service.” For us, the highest level of service would not be complete without offerings for users of all abilities.
Advancing Accessibility Through the Library of Things
While our Library of Things circulating collection already included some assistive technology, the My Library Is... Grant from Reaching Across Illinois Library Systems (RAILS) helped us more than triple what we previously had available. These items are used by and developed for those with disabilities, but they can be helpful for everyone, on a spectrum of physical/sensory limitations to no limitations (a well-known phenomenon generally known as the Curb-Cut Effect). We know from the usage of the assistive items already in our library that those without disabilities are also finding these items useful, such as remote page turners, adjustable tablet and laptop stands, noise canceling headphones, and more.
To find what items would be most beneficial to include, three actions were completed.
- Analyzing our own community’s needs including looking at staff and patron feedback and their suggestions
- Researching top helpful gadgets for the various disability categories
- Checking in with disability groups for additional thoughts and guidance in item selections
Growing the collection took careful consideration. There are many options for tools and gadgets and we wanted to ensure we were catering to our unique community at present as well as others who will be a part of Des Plaines in the future.
Additionally, we held a showcase event for patrons to learn more about the gadgets and created resource flyers that patrons could take with them, which included QR codes to health and wellness databases, services, and the numbers for local social workers.
An Issue that Impacts Everyone
According to the CDC, “more than 1 in 4 (28.7 percent) adults in the United States have some type of disability.” And if someone lives a long life, the question isn’t ‘if’ someone will have a disability in the future, but ‘when’ that would be. Disabilities may include cognitive or learning disabilities, visual disabilities, hearing disabilities, mobility issues, or others that impair a person’s ability to do everyday tasks they need to do and meet goals they wish to pursue. It touches all of us in some capacity – if not directly, then through loved ones and acquaintances.
Accessibility, Equity, and Community Impact
Armed with this knowledge, and our library’s key belief, we knew that this project was what we wanted to pursue for the RAILS grant. Because libraries value accessibility, we wanted our lendable assistive technology collection to honor individual uniqueness, promote equity, and foster inclusion of people disadvantaged by a disability. At the same time, we hope to contribute to removing the stigmas or misconceptions surrounding disability or simply needing/wanting help.
Additionally, libraries are in a position to be sustainable leaders, and the Library of Things is a unique way to support those efforts. It allows numerous patrons to try out items on a temporary basis to see whether they like the item or would use it enough to purchase their own. The items in the collection support people in a moment of need as well as aiding in decision-making about acquiring long-term solutions to improve quality of life.
Our library is making life easier, one gadget at a time.
Today’s blog post was written by Annie Li and Jessica Leong, reference librarians, Des Plaines Public Library.
This project was made possible by the My Library Is… Grant.