Assistive Technologies & Libraries

by Kelly Shire

One of the many roles that libraries have in the 21st century is to be a center of information. For those with disabilities, their ability to access this information may often be limited or other challenged. This is where libraries can act as a gateway for patrons. 

To be honest, it is a mark of my privilege as an able-bodied person that I’ve never really had to consider how others utilize and rely on public libraries for this purpose. Or, at the very least, I’ve never considered these issues from the perspective of the library staff.

“Assistive technology” is a phrase that covers many types of assistance, from close-captioning on a video, to screen readers and adaptive keyboards, to web sites that are designed for those with visual impairments. On an extremely literal level, even the eyeglasses I wear during every waking moment are also a form of assistive tech.

In the article “Technology for Every Teen @ Your Library,” Vicki C. Terrile suggests other adaptive decisions, such as “things like high-interest and low-reading-level books, large-print teen books, audiobooks, and e-books for teens, and shelving and computers that are easily accessible are all things that will make the library easier to use for a variety of teen consumers.” Although the article is aimed at ways libraries can better provide assistance for the needs of their teen patrons, this is excellent advice to apply to all people of all ages who may need a little extra help in accessing all that the library has to offer.

Works Cited

Terrile, Vikki C. “Technology for Every Teen @ Your Library.” Young Adult Library Services, vol. 7, no. 2, Winter 2009, pp. 33–36. EBSCOhost, search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.palomar.edu/ login.aspx?direct=true&db=lxh&AN=36206381&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

 

 

Works Cited

Terrile, Vikki C. “Technology for Every Teen @ Your Library.” Young Adult Library   Services, vol. 7, no. 2, Winter 2009, pp. 33–36. EBSCOhost, search        ebscohost-com.ezproxy.palomar.edu/ login.aspx?direct=true&db=lxh&AN=36206381&site=ehost-live&scope=site.