Through a series of interviews, libraries share the accessibility initiatives they are undertaking across Canada. Let’s celebrate and promote what libraries do to serve all of their community!
The Edmonton Public Library
Doing big things with small budgets is not an easy task. But Vicky Varga, the current branch services and collections director of Edmonton Public Library (EPL), is not letting that stand in her way. EPL is researching how to enhance their accessibility services and better serve their patrons’ needs in an environment where those needs often evolve.
Read the Edmonton Public Library Interview here: What Accessibility Looks Like From Edmonton Public Library.
The Westmount Public Library
Accessibility has come a long way in the ten years Daniel Miguez de Luca has worked for the Westmount Public Library in Montreal, QC. And ensuring accessibility is now one of his primary considerations in his job as Westmount’s Programming and Outreach Librarian, where he spends significant time running events and programs for adults. “It’s always my goal to make our programming as accessible and welcoming as possible for our community,” says Miguez de Luca.
Read the Westmount Public Library Interview here: Accessible Programming at Westmount Public Library.
The Alberta Government in Supporting Accessibility in Libraries
The Alberta government supports accessibility in libraries by paying for NNELS and CELA, which provide accessible reading materials to Canadians with print disabilities. The province also sets the requirements that all libraries in Alberta must have a policy for underserviced or disabled members of the community.
Read the Alberta Government Interview here: Governments Play a Significant Role in Supporting Accessibility in Libraries.
The Regina Public Library
Understanding accessibility needs is vital to providing truly useful accessibility services for the community. Geoffrey Allen, Director of Collections at Regine Public Library (RPL), says that hiring staff with lived experiences of disabilities significantly impacted the library’s collective understanding of what accessibility means in the real world.
Read the Regina Public Library Interview here: Employees with Lived Experiences Enhance Regina Public Library’s Accessibility Services
The West Vancouver Memorial Library
The community surrounding each library plays a huge role in shaping what kinds of programs and services they offer. West Vancouver Memorial Library’s Ehlam Zaminpaima plans to venture into the community to see what needs must still be met. Ehlam Zaminpaima began her career with West Vancouver Memorial Library nine years ago as a casual staff member. She has been in her current customer and community experience coordinator role for approximately one year. She oversees the accessible services of the library with a team of two. Together they support people in the community with accessible needs.
Read the West Vancouver Memorial Library Interview here: Community Matters at West Vancouver Memorial Library.