Improving Library Services to People with Disabilities

Summary: 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. Key Features: 1. Pragmatic approach gives librarians tools they can use immediately to improve their services 2. Policy overviews help librarians understand advocacy issues 3. Emphasis on universal access helps librarians and decision-makers understand how improving services for people with disabilities improves services for all patrons 4. Authors include people who have disabilities and are practicing librarians 5. Truly international book, including authors from academic and public libraries from several nations The Author: 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's College of Medicine (UK); Christine Tilley, Queensland University of Technology (Australia). Readership: Public librarians; academic librarians; and library students. Contents: Introduction - the importance of including people with disabilities in the public library Services to people who cannot use traditional print Serving people who are deaf Expanding reach through distance education Improving services in institutional settings The promise and challenges of electronic access Adaptive and assitive technologies Finding the means to improve service Special issues in developing countries for academic librarians Special issues in developing countries for public librarians Low-cost/no-cost ways to improve services