Creator: Accessible Libraries
Date Updated: March 22, 2024
Overview
A wide variety of accessible programs can be found at libraries worldwide. Learning about these programs is a great way to discover how libraries are attempting to meet specific accessibility needs. Additionally, it is a great way to look for inspiration for developing new accessible programming at your library!
This resource contains examples of some of the accessible programming found in libraries in North America. Programs are listed under headings for the accessibility need they are designed to meet and a separate heading for promoting awareness. Programs are briefly described and contain relevant links.
Table of Contents
- Programs for Persons with Sensory Processing Disorder
- Physical Access and Mobility Programs
- Programs for Persons with Print Disabilities
- Programs for Persons who are Deaf
- Programs for Persons with Dementia
- Assistive Technology Programs
- Acceptance and Awareness
- References
Programs for Persons with Sensory Processing Disorder
Libraries across Canada and the United States have programs for persons with sensory processing disorders.
Sensory Kits and Backpacks
Persons with sensory processing disorder can have difficulty processing information from the senses. Although it is not present in all cases, sensory processing disorder can be associated with a variety of conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder and ADHD.
Sensory kits and backpacks are designed to help persons with sensory processing disorders self-regulate by providing tools for refocusing and changing the level of sensory input.
Some libraries provide access to sensory kits through partnerships with charities and other external organizations. For example, Calgary Public Library partners with Variety (the Children’s Charity) and Calgary Heritage Lions Club to provide sensory backpacks at some locations.
AIDE Canada and Aspire Richmond developed Richmond Public Library’s sensory kits. They provide an explanatory list of their kits’ contents:
- Weighted materials, deep-pressure massage balls, and sensory minimization tools (such as body socks, noise-cancelling headphones, and sunglasses) to support customers experiencing sensory overload.
- Fidget items are an outlet for anxiety or offer tactile stimulation.
- Communication cards and LCD writing tablets are available for nonverbal customers.
- Visual timers to support transitions from one activity to another.
- Workbooks to help customers work through their own sensory needs.”
Other examples of sensory kit programs are listed below:
- Burlington Public Library partners with Autism Canada to provide sensory kits.
- Halifax Public Libraries offers four different Autism tool kits: a sensory tool kit, a visual tool kit, a fidget tool kit, and a communication tool kit.
Sensory Environments
Multi-sensory environments are rooms where you can control aspects of the environment that influence light, sound, touch, and sometimes smell. Research shows that multi-sensory environments can benefit persons with sensory processing disorder in several ways, such as reducing sensory behaviours and improving attention among autistic children (Unwin et al., 2022).
- Durham County Library’s main library has a specialized multi-sensory environment space for people with sensory disorders. The room can be reserved in 30-minute increments.
- Durham County Library also has a separate sensory calming room that functions as a quiet respite away from the rest of the library and is open access during library hours.
Sensory Storytime and Play
Traditional storytelling environments can be challenging for children with sensory processing disorders. Sensory storytime programs are designed to be more welcoming for children with sensory processing disorders, developmental disabilities, and other conditions. Sensory storytime sessions can include a slower pace of storytelling, quiet areas where children can get away from other children, access to relaxing toys, areas where they can use fidget toys if they cannot sit, and other approaches.
Examples of sensory storytime programming are listed below:
- St. Albert Public Library partners with Transition to offer sensory storytime.
- The Vancouver Public Library Foundation has acknowledged sensory storytime as a funding priority in 2024.
Physical Access and Mobility Programs
Homebound services allow persons without physical access to the library to access library services.
Homebound Services Programs
Calgary Public Library provides book selection, delivery, and exchange services for persons unable to visit the library due to mobility issues or health. They have also established rotating mini libraries that visit care centres, lodges, and seniors’ residences (link to Calgary Public Library’s special-services webpage).
Examples of home service programs developed by other libraries:
- New York Public Library offers books by mail for homebound patrons and the digitization of select research materials for persons who are homebound or have print disabilities.
- Edmonton Public Library’s epl2you program.
- Durham County Library’s Older Adult and Shut-in Service (OASIS).
Over-the-phone Storytime
Like online library programming, over-the-phone storytime enables patrons without physical access to the library to participate in events. Unlike online programming, over-the-phone storytelling is accessible to participants with little or no computer knowledge or access.
Okanagan Regional Library hosts adult storytime sessions over the phone once a month and weekly over-the-phone discussion meetings. Participants are given the conference line number and access code in advance.
Programs for Persons with Print Disabilities
Libraries across Canada and the United States have programs for persons with print disabilities.
Learning Braille and Braille Study Groups
The Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library hosts in-person and online braille study groups. They also offer early braille and tactile learning kits.
Tactile Literacy and Workshops
Tactile graphics are images with raised surfaces that convey meaning through touch. They are an excellent way to communicate or learn spatial information nonvisually.
Through its Dimensions lab, The Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library provides patrons free access to hardware, software, and workshops where they can learn best practices of tactile design.
Audiobook Book Clubs
Audiobook book clubs offer all of the social connections and discussions found in print book clubs but with the added benefit of focusing on books that are available in an accessible format. Examples of audiobook book clubs hosted or organized by libraries are listed below:
- The Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library hosts a book club. All books are available as audiobooks, and many are also available in braille and large-print formats.
- Port Moody Public Library organizes an audiobook book club designed for persons with print disabilities, and all are welcome.
- Toronto Public Library hosts a monthly virtual audiobook book club. All books are selected based on the quality of their audiobook format, but participants are free to read the book in other formats.
Programs for Persons who are Deaf
Libraries across Canada and the United States have programs for persons who are Deaf.
American Sign Language (ASL) Storytime
Some libraries work with ASL storytellers to host American Sign Language storytime events, sometimes with two storytellers simultaneously telling the story in ASL and English.
When choosing books for their Family Storytime in Sign Language and English events, Burnaby Public Library selects “books with short text and big, clear pictures, and without aural rhymes or wordplay or jokes that rely on hearing the words.” They also recommend avoiding books that rely heavily on sound words. A list of over sixty children’s books they have used in their ASL storytime events can be found on the Burnaby Public Library’s webpage on books for ASL storytime.
Other examples of ASL storytime programming are listed below:
- A local Deaf preschool comes to Dallas Public Library for library visits and ASL storytime.
- Okanagan Regional Library has offered joint ASL and English storytime and classes on ASL basics.
- North Vancouver City Library hosts American Sign Language Family Storytime programs.
Teaching American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf History
Libraries can partner with ASL teachers to host ASL learning events. To make these events even more meaningful, the Dallas Public Library has incorporated Deaf history, awareness, and culture into its ASL lessons. Read more about the Dallas Public Library’s inclusive programming for the Deaf community here.
Programs for Persons with Dementia
Libraries across Canada and the United States have programs for persons with Dementia.
Tales and Travel Memories Program
Some libraries create programs to help persons with dementia engage with their memories and interests. Mary Beth Riedner and staff and volunteers from the Gail Borden Public Library District developed the Tales and Travel program in Illinois. The program simulates travelling to a foreign country through stories, videos, music, images, books, and other objects. Engaging with these materials can help to stimulate participants’ memories and spark conversation.
While the Tales and Travel Memories program was developed in the United States, it has also been adapted for Canadian libraries. The Westmount Public Library runs regular weekly sessions of a Tales and Travel Memories Program, including a snack based on the week’s theme.
Cognitive Care Kits
Cognitive care kits are designed to support the skills and abilities of people with varying stages of dementia. Some libraries partner with local organizations, such as Alzheimer’s societies, to provide cognitive care kits and other forms of dementia programming.
Items sometimes found in cognitive care kits include Alzheimer’s information sheets, XXL-piece puzzles, brain exercises, activity books, readers, chair yoga books, and colouring books. For more information on creating care kits, see this blog post: How to.
Examples of cognitive care kit programs:
- Burlington Public Library lends out cognitive care kits to help support the skills and abilities of people with early-, mid-, and late-stage dementia.
- Halifax Public Libraries partners with the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia to provide patrons with memory kits.
Preventive Programming
Some libraries offer programs designed to help reduce the risk factors for dementia before it develops. As with other areas of dementia care, partnering with outside organizations with developed expertise is beneficial.
Examples of preventive programs:
- In partnership with groups such as the Alzheimer Society of Brant, Burlington Public Library offers free health and well-being programs for adults who want to boost their health and reduce risk factors for dementia. This includes online and in-person workshops.
- Halifax Public Libraries also offers workshops to help prevent dementia and cognitive decline.
Assistive Technology Programs
Libraries across Canada and the United States have programs that teach how to use assistive technologies.
Workshops
In addition to using and providing access to various forms of assistive technology, some libraries offer workshops to help patrons learn about new types of assistive technology. For example:
- Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library offers training sessions and workshops where groups or individuals can learn about the use of various assistive technologies. They’ve also previously hosted an assistive technology conference with a focus on the “impact, affordances, and evolution of accessible technologies used by Blind, low-vision, and print-disabled people” (Rothstein, 2023).
- Halifax Public Libraries’ Central location has Building Assistive Technology Drop-in events where patrons can familiarize themselves with different assistive technology and inclusive maker practices.
Acceptance and Awareness
Libraries across Canada and the USA celebrate and promote awareness days with different programming.
Autism Acceptance Month
Autism Acceptance Month is celebrated every April. Brooklynn Public Library celebrates Autism acceptance with programming, including a reading list.
Deaf History Month
Deaf History Month is celebrated every April. Libraries can take part in a variety of ways. Dallas Public Library puts on programs for different age groups. In 2022, some of these included:
- This is an elementary-aged storytime for the book The William Hoy Story by Nancy Churnin. William Hoy was a Deaf baseball player who broke a number of records. This event included a visit from guest speaker Steve Sandy, a Deaf man from Ohio who owns a lot of William Hoy memorabilia.
- Creating an interactive quiz for teens about Hellen Keller was done in part to combat misinformation that had spread through a viral conspiracy theory about her on TikTok.
International Day of People with Disabilities
The International Day of People with Disabilities was introduced by the United Nations in 1992 and is celebrated each year on December 3rd. It aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities and raise awareness.
Libraries can participate by honouring this day in several ways, for example:
- Red Deer Public Library created a fiction and nonfiction reading list to recognize the day. You can view it here.
- In honour of the International Day of People with Disabilities, Halifax Public Library partners with the Halifax Regional Municipality to share resources, reading lists, and local events.
References
Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library. (2024). Andrew Heiskell Library’s Book Discussion Group. https://www.nypl.org/about/locations/heiskell/book-group
Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library. (2024c). Main page. https://www.nypl.org/locations/heiskell
Arata, H. (2022, August 4). Celebrating Deaf Culture and History: Programs for Inclusion and Education. https://programminglibrarian.org/articles/celebrating-deaf-culture-and-history-programs-inclusion-and-education
BeyondBooks. (2023, July 24). Memory Kits: Borrow and Explore. Halifax Public Libraries. https://www.halifaxpubliclibraries.ca/blogs/post/memory-kits-borrow-and-explore/
Brooklynn Public Library. (2023, April). Autism Acceptance book list. https://static.bklynlibrary.org/prod/public/documents/inclusive-services/autism%20awareness%20month%202023.pdf
Burlington Public Library. (2023, February 27). Sensory Kits Now Available in Branches. https://www.bpl.on.ca/news/sensory-kits
Burlington Public Library. (2024, January 2). Your Dementia-Friendly Library. https://www.bpl.on.ca/news/dementia-friendly
BurnabyKidsStaffPics & Burnaby Public Library. (2024). Books for ASL-English Storytimes. https://burnaby.bibliocommons.com/list/share/83430610/2362550909
Calgary Public Library. (2024). Accessibility: Special Services. https://calgarylibrary.ca/your-library/accessibility/special-services/
CBC News. (2022, August 29). More sensory storytimes are coming to London libraries this fall. CBC News. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/more-sensory-storytimes-are-coming-to-london-libraries-this-fall-1.6565304
Durham County Library. (2024a). Multi Sensory Environment. https://durhamcountylibrary.org/location/main-library/multi-sensory-environment/
Durham County Library. (2024b). Older adult and shut-in service (OASIS). https://durhamcountylibrary.org/older-adult-and-shut-in-service/
Durham County Library. (2024c). Sensory Calming Room. https://durhamcountylibrary.org/location/main-library/sensory-calming-room/
Edmonton Public Library. (2024). Home Delivery. https://www.epl.ca/home-delivery/
Fleet, C. (2018, October 17). Announcing Dimensions: Community Tools for Creating Tactile Graphics & Objects. New York Public Library. https://wayback.archive-it.org/18689/20220311193013/https://www.nypl.org/blog/2017/10/18/dimensions-tactile-graphics-objects
Halifax Public Libraries. (2024a). Accessibility. https://www.halifaxpubliclibraries.ca/about-accessibility/
Halifax Public Libraries. (2024b). Building Assistive Technology Drop-in. https://halifax.bibliocommons.com/events/65bb0dcda51db44c007d1848
Halifax Public Libraries. (2023). Workshop: Prevention of Dementia and Cognitive Decline. https://halifax.bibliocommons.com/events/63efbc0f9e00b42800d4d59f
New York Public Library. (2024). For Patrons with Physical Disabilities. https://www.nypl.org/accessibility/physical-disabilities
North Vancouver City Library. (2024). American Sign Language Family Storytime. https://www.nvcl.ca/events/5788
Okanagan Regional Library. (2024). Library Accessibility Services. https://orl.bc.ca/using-the-library/our-services/accessibility-services
Port Moody Public Library. (2024). Accessible Services. https://www.portmoodylibrary.ca/en/visit-us/accessible-services.aspx
RDPL_AdultFiction, & Red Deer Public Library. (2024). International Day for Persons with Disabilities. Red Deer Public Library. https://rdpl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/104633271/2209082899
Richmond Public Library. (2024). Sensory Kits. Richmond Public Library: Sensory Kits. https://www.yourlibrary.ca/sensory-kits/
Rothstein, J. (2023, March 7). Upcoming: NYPL’s Accessible Technology Conference 2023. New York Public Library. https://www.nypl.org/blog/2023/07/17/upcoming-nypls-accessible-technology-conference-2023
St. Albert Public Library. (2024). Sensory Storytime with Transitions. https://sapl.libcal.com/event/3790224
Tales and Travels. (2022). About Tales and Travels Memories. https://talesandtravelmemories.com/about/
Toronto Public Library. (2024). Audiobooks. https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/books-video-music/books/audio-books/
Unwin, K. L., Powell, G., & Jones, C. R. G. (2022). The Use of Multi-Sensory Environments with Autistic Children: Exploring the Effect of Having Control of Sensory Changes. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 26(6), 1379–1394.
Vancouver Public Library Foundation. (2024, January 12). Sensory Storytimes. https://vplf.ca/sensory-storytimes/
Westmount Public Library. (2024). Tales & Travels Series. https://westlib.org/iguana/www.main.cls?p=%2A&v=83c2ef0c-1da2-46ee-8d03-e2a3840b0921