Librarians need to understand the needs and abilities of differently abled patrons, and anyone responsible for hiring and managing librarians must know how to provide an equitable environment. This book serves as an educational resource for both groups.
Clayton A. Copeland, PhD, is director of the SLIS Laboratory for Leadership in the Equity of Access and Diversity (LLEAD).
Even after decades of legislation enacted into law and much
persuasive advocacy, individuals who are differently abled are
still in need of access to information and materials available
through libraries. Each chapter is a rich collection of reliable
sources useful in understanding differences and perfect for
fostering community engagement to address equity, diversity, and
inclusion for the betterment of the community. Library staff in all
library sizes and types-and faculty teaching pre-service
librarians-should immediately make this book a primary professional
development source.
*Mirah J. Dow, PhD, Professor, Director of PhD Program, Emporia
State University, School of Library and Information Management*
Shouldn't information be available to all who seek it? Barriers
exist, but they can be removed, and access can be made more
accessible. This timely and essential guide to understanding the
importance of accessibility of libraries to differently abled
patrons is a perfect primer for all those charged with curating,
conserving, and sharing the world's collective knowledge.
*Cory C. Watson, President, Able SC Board of Directors*
As a cheerleader and advocate for the visually impaired and print
disabled, Dr. Copeland exemplifies what it means to be our brother
and sisters keeper. As a true pathfinder, she finds joy in guiding
each user with rich job searching tools, while ensuring that all
have access to resources galore.
*Pamela Nash Davenport, Senior Network Consultant, National Library
Service for the Blind and Print Disabled*
Dr. Copeland has provided much-needed perspectives and guidance for
librarians striving to enable equitable access and inclusion within
libraries and the communities they serve.
*Valarie D. Byrd, Chair, Access South Carolina Information
Technology Program*
An essential volume offering specific guidance to help information
professionals carry out their primary charge: to provide
information access to everyone. These chapters include background
and practical guidance for enabling practitioners to consider
accessibility and universal design in every aspect of their
practice, and they give LIS educators much-needed tools for
integrating this training into their coursework. Readable and
absolutely accessible, this powerful toolkit paves the way for
making 21st century libraries what they should always have been: a
place of welcome for all.
*Michelle H. Martin, PhD, Beverly Cleary Professor for Children and
Youth Services, University of Washington Information School*
As a wheelchair user with Cerebral Palsy, an MLIS graduate, and a
health equity access consultant, I'm thrilled by this new book! In
plain language, the contributors show the LIS community that-from
library user to library employee-people with disabilities aren't a
scary "other;" we're just humans who crave information as much as
anyone else. This work shows LIS professionals how they can be most
effective in the lives of people with disabilities.
*Avery Olmstead, Health Equity Access Consultant*
As an LIS educator and DEI officer, I am constantly searching for
credible, comprehensive, practical, and compassionate resources to
further my own knowledge and equip others with tools to implement
in their personal and professional lives; I struck gold with this
book. With its emphasis on inclusion of people of all abilities,
this is exactly the book the LIS profession needs at exactly the
right time!
*Renee F. Hill, PhD, Principal Lecturer, Diversity & Inclusion
Officer, University of Maryland*
I am so happy to see more evidence in this book of what has always
been my pleasure: to provide mirrors, windows and doors for
differently abled as well as typically abled students and
friends.
*Vicky T. Clubertson, MLIS, Teacher/Librarian, Thornwell Charter
School, Clinton, SC*
Dr. Copeland's book is essential reading for information
professionals who aim to craft accessible library spaces for
empowering patrons and staff with differing abilities. For the
accomplished scholars featured within, accessibility requires a
transformative mindset rather than a checklist of actions.
*Kevin J. Mallary, PhD, Assistant Professor, Library and
Information Studies, Old Dominion University*
As a librarian and a parent of a child who is differently able, I
know the struggles and frustrations of entering the library
(physically or virtually) and not being able to access the
information that is wanted and needed. The authors of this book
have laid out workable plans for staying current with evolving
challenges so that libraries remain relevant and accessible for all
of our users!
*Peggy L. Kaney, PhD, retired Assistant Dean of Libraries,
Northeastern State University*
An informative guide to constructing an environment that fosters
diverse inclusivity.
*Janice Surginer, Children Librarian, Multisensory Room
Consultant*
Through the collection assembled here, Dr. Copeland shows that
barriers are still present for many people with disabilities in
accessing our libraries. More importantly, though, this collection
offers true excitement and promising opportunities for libraries to
embrace universal design and access. As a disability-led
organization, we see this as a welcome and important primer for
current, and future, librarians on their role in promoting equal
access for all individuals.
*Kimberly Tissot, President and Chief Executive Officer, Able SC
and David Laird, Able SC*
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