Introduction

Equality of access is a tenet of librarianship, and librarians must be able to make their services and resources universally accessible in order to best serve their library's users. The ability to examine, evaluate, and analyze the library's environment is essential to ensuring that no students are restricted in their library use. Furthermore, accessibility ranges far beyond the building's design, and extends to aspects such as collection development and policies and procedures when examining with library environments.

This module includes documents and activities that focus on building skills to evaluate and improve your library's level of access. This includes analyzing physical facilities and materials in accordance with the principles of Universal Design (UD). This module also provides suggested best practices related to modifying a library setting for increased accessibility for all users, including the chance to create a Library Accessibility Action Plan.

Learning Objectives

The overall learning objectives for this module are:

• Develop awareness of the principles of Universal Design (UD).

• Understand how elements of Universal Design apply to libraries.

• Evaluate the accessibility of your library.

• Develop an action plan for creating a more inclusive library program.

• Improve library inclusiveness through collection development.

• Evaluate library policies and procedures for meaningful access for all.

• Develop awareness of advocacy strategies for improving access to library programs and services.