Column Description: Looking at the ways libraries are changing to better meet the needs of communities.
One of the largest recent changes in public libraries is increased inclusivity. This looks like libraries not just touting that they’re for everyone, but working to make that statement a reality. While there are many areas we still struggle with here, one I’ve noticed most glaringly is services for the disabled community. I’ve seen libraries aim to do this better, but, many times, they miss the basics.
For example, my library aims to increase our adaptive technology and programming for disabled patrons. Still, we have yet to add accessible seating to our spaces or move our collections off the lowest shelves. We don’t have proper signage, maps of any variety, or single-use restrooms. We have a long way to go. And it’s not just us. I’ve walked into libraries that offer sensory storytimes, but have struggled to locate the elevators. Libraries with accessibility sections on their websites and barely accessible parking lots.
Part of this is also our field. We are, to put it simply, not an inclusive field. We know this when it comes to race, socioeconomic status, gender, and education, but disability tends to get overlooked. Largely because many disabled people cannot work in libraries, so their voices are not typically heard. As someone with health issues that land them in the disabled community, I can explain some of why that is. For one, finding full-time library positions can be difficult. When I was in graduate school and spoke to older librarians for job advice, many wore their long years working multiple part-time jobs as a badge of honor. I knew I could never do that.
Part-time jobs don’t usually come with health insurance. Many librarians also wore moving around the country as badges of honor, and while I could do that, many disabled people could not. Frankly, many people in general cannot. Then when a job is landed, they are not usually the most accessible. Long hours, the expectation to push yourself beyond exhaustion, physical labor. Accommodations are available, but they take a lot of effort. Mostly because upper management does not always understand or respect the need for accommodations. There are so many capable, great disabled library workers out there who will never make it through the door because the job itself is daunting, inaccessible upfront, and hard to obtain. As with all types of diversity, this is a loss for libraries. These are the voices that are needed to make the changes.
An able-bodied person might never consider the need for chairs or benches in the middle of a long hallway, but a disabled person with mobility struggles probably would. A neurotypical person might not consider that fluorescent lights can be overstimulating or painful, but an autistic person might, and, if so, they’d probably have the best ideas for solutions. A lot of my suggestions to our director have come from personal experience in our building. For example, there are chairs I cannot always move or sit in for long periods of time. When books are on low shelves, I cannot always kneel to reach them. Also, there is a lack of spaces to go to escape lights, noise, or other people. Even more, dropping masking mandates harms our most immunocompromised patrons' safety. The list goes on.
The next best step to hiring actual disabled staff is to increase training. This goes for all types of inclusivity, but it is important to repeat. Training that might help libraries avoid certain language or poorly designed programs. Pieces of training that might help libraries create better, inclusive spaces, interactions, and events. That’s not to say that libraries haven’t made changes. It’s not to say that incredible work has not been accomplished. Libraries have found, and continue to find, creative ways to meet the needs of the disabled communities. Sensory storytimes. Book clubs for those with developmental disabilities. Programs designed for autistic patrons. Accessible technology and reading materials. Sensory rooms. Home delivery services. Braille study groups. Like many of the changes I’ve suggested in my series, changes also don’t need to be huge.
My library has partnered with a local group to run a memory cafe for patrons with Alzheimer's. We offer noise-cancelling headphones that patrons can use in the building. We set up our program spaces to make space for patrons who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices. We put up signs offering help to those who need assistance accessing materials in the stacks. We offer meeting rooms, when available, for patrons to study, make phone calls, or just retreat to quieter or darker spaces. We also have a good understanding of what disabled patrons need, largely because we have a large disabled staff. Many of us are neurotypical. A few of us have chronic illnesses or physical disabilities. Some of us are getting older. This helps us understand our patrons and understand our space. It lets us bring our own experiences to the table. So even if we cannot do the bigger programs or services, like home delivery, we can advocate for our patrons on a different level. Our imperfect library, with its inaccessible chairs and lack of proper signage, understands what it needs to change and it understands what needs to happen down the line. We demonstrate the need not just for better services and spaces for disabled patrons, but we show the value of disabled staff.
Gillian Friedlander is an adult services librarian at the Broome County Public Library in Binghamton, NY. This is her first librarian position, though she has worked in public libraries for many years prior, beginning as the Albany Public Library’s volunteer coordinator. She received her BA in Sociology from the University at Albany in 2016 and her MS in Library and Information Sciences from Simmons University in 2020 (she graduated from her mother’s kitchen over Zoom!). Her library passions are community outreach, accessibility, and creating safe and inclusive spaces for her community members. She also can’t get enough of asking her director hard questions and pushing her coworkers to have tough conversations to better the work they do. Working in urban libraries is where she thrives, and she loves all the challenges and creative opportunities they offer. Reading-wise, she loves queer fiction (the messier the characters the better) graphic novels, books featuring dark dark humor, and poetry of all varieties. Originally from Albany, by way of New York City, Gillian now lives in Binghamton with her four cats. When not at work she loves to hike, spend time adventuring with her partner, bake gluten-free vegan snacks, dig through record shops & used book stories, drink her weight in coffee, and take much-needed naps.
June 2024: NYLA-FLS Update
