Creating Inclusive Library Environments


Book Description

Librarians are continually faced with challenges of how to best meet the needs of patrons with disabilities, whether those patrons have physical or intellectual disabilities, differing learning styles, or even temporary problems which impact their access and may change over time. And because planning considerations range from policies and organizational culture to facilities, technologies, and beyond, librarians need a guide that covers everything: areas that can be addressed quickly and easily as well as those that require long-term strategies. That guide is here. Packed with research-based best practices and handy checklists applicable to all types of libraries, this comprehensive resource defines what makes environments barrier-free, whether physical or virtual, and talks about how libraries can develop a user-centered culture; includes techniques for writing policies and procedures that are clear, realistic, and flexible; provides strategies for setting up facilities, training staff, and maintaining daily operations; discusses collaboration and outreach through community partnerships, including ways to connect patrons with nonprofits and disability organizations; offers programming and workshop ideas such as open houses, tutorials, and tours of the library; delves into assistive technology, website design, making vendor-purchased products accessible, and other information technology issues; and shares ideas for library assessment, realigning strategies, and staying current. This planning guide will enable libraries to create and maintain a truly inclusive environment for all patrons.




Library Space Planning


Book Description

The interior design language of the 21st century is the language of retail, and libraries must be fluent to be successful. Most patrons are unaware of the variety of services and offerings that their local library can provide. Rightly or wrongly, library patrons expect robust merchandising, easily accessible spaces and self-directed way finding. Library Space Planning: A PLA Guide is a brief and to-the-point guide that will help you to understand these ideals and recreate them in your library. In addition, you will learn how to improve the functionality of your space in the short, medium and long-term, and discover how libraries can use the ideas herein to aid patrons in discovery, discernment and delivery.




Planning Academic Library Orientations


Book Description

Colleges and universities throughout the world plan library orientations for first years or specific audiences such as transfer or international students. These events can vary greatly in shape and form depending on the size, resources and staff of the institution, orientation schedule, and whether it is mandatory for students. Some institutions plan day-long events, elaborate games, or scavenger hunts; some offer drop in sessions or library tours; others offer an online orientation. Planning Academic Library Orientations gathers case studies from around the world covering a wide variety of approaches as a guide to those revamping or creating new library orientations. Chapters are organized into the following thematic sections: Games; Marketing & Promotion; Partnerships; Targeting Specific Audiences; Technology; and Tours, and are cross-referenced if they touch on additional themes. Each chapter includes institutional information so readers can decide which type of orientation is appropriate for their own institution and see what resources are required. - Gives guidance on best practices for academic library orientations - Gathers examples from around the world to provide international perspective - Empowers librarians to take aim at the anxiety felt by new and first year students - Presents effective ways of introducing students to what a college/university library is, what it contains, and where to find information, while also showing how helpful librarians can be




Library as Safe Haven


Book Description

Libraries have always played a special role in times of disaster by continuing to provide crucial information and services. The Stafford Act of 2011, a federal government directive, designates libraries as among the temporary facilities delivering essential services, making a Continuity of Operations Plan imperative for libraries. Peppered with informative first-person narratives from librarians recounting emergency situations, Halsted, Clifton, and Wilson cover such topics as: An eight-step approach to developing a risk assessment planHow to draft a one-page service continuity planInformation on how to use mobile devices and social media effectively in times of disasterSample disaster plans, along with model exercises, manuals and customizable communicationsPublished in cooperation with the Medical Library Association (MLA), this nuts-and-bolts resource will enable libraries of all kinds to do their best while planning for the worst.




Planning Optimal Library Spaces


Book Description

Planning Optimal Library Spaces: Principles, Process, and Practices demystifies library space planning, inspires creative thinking, and offers immediate how-to steps to rectify seemingly hopeless situations. It describes an approach to library space planning that introduces and combines a phased implementation strategy with traditional space planning to allow library transformations and renovations to be done as a single project or a series of smaller, separate, and more manageable phased interventions. It allows libraries to meet current needs sooner, as smaller funding opportunities arise, instead of waiting on completely funded projects to develop. Chapters cover the approach, the importance of community engagement meetings, collection storage strategies, the anatomy of a library project budget, recommendations for getting started, and case studies of both public and academic library planning projects with detailed phasing strategies. Printed in full color with 148 images, this is a must-have book for librarians, architects, government/education administrators, and anyone involved with, or even thinking about a library planning or renovation project.




Planning for Library Services


Book Description

Planning for Library Services assists library and information service managers in initiating, improving, and sustaining good planning practices in their organizations. It provides practicing librarians with a guide to assist in their planning methods for increased library effectiveness and promotes a better understanding of the concepts, benefits, potential problems, and processes related to planning.




National and international library planning


Book Description

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. It is the global voice of the information profession. The series IFLA Publications deals with many of the means through which libraries, information centres, and information professionals worldwide can formulate their goals, exert their influence as a group, protect their interests, and find solutions to global problems.




Planning Public Library Buildings


Book Description

Planning a new or refurbished public library means considering not only facilities for collections, services, staff and users, but examining also the local context, reviewing the library image, and developing relationships with other community facilities and agencies. This book examines the entire gamut of challenges confronting the planning and development of contemporary public libraries; their mission, their roles, and key issues such as lifelong learning, social inclusion, community and cultural needs, regeneration and funding. The helpful presentation and readable style guides the librarian through the preliminary information-gathering and decision-making process that ensures a successful library building for all concerned. Using practical case studies, plans and photographs, the author tackles the critical issues of siting, size, plans and design concepts, and provides a helpful guide to weighing up the alternatives of refurbished, converted and new buildings. security, safety and sustainability; key characteristics of successful buildings; identity, decor and signage; and interior layout and facilities. The text draws together a vast resource of real library examples from all over the world which provide best practice models and lessons to learn. For funding authorities, librarians and architects of public libraries this is a highly informative book that will help to ensure wise decision-making and prevent costly mistakes.







Planning, Renovating, Expanding, and Constructing Library Facilities in Hospitals, Academic Medical


Book Description

Get the tools to meet the challenge of building or renovating a library! The challenge of renovating or constructing a library requires organizational skill, resourcefulness, creativity, and willingness to compromise. Planning, Renovating, Expanding, and Constructing Library Facilities in Hospitals, Academic Medical Centers, and Health Organizations presents thirteen insightful case studies revealing how many libraries have been have been built or renovated using innovations designed to meet a specific organization's needs. Each study plainly highlights objectives, methods, results, and conclusions, and reviews the design of the completed library. Ideas and approaches are presented clearly, showing the designing, refurbishing, and refurnishing of existing library space; the merging of library collections and services; and the construction of multimillion dollar library buildings—with each study explaining proven strategies which can be used or adapted to fit the reader’s own circumstances. Planning, Renovating, Expanding, and Constructing Library Facilities in Hospitals, Academic Medical Centers, and Health Organizations explains the steps in the planning process, including needs analysis, goal setting, and public relations, as well as the practical considerations of packing and unpacking. The contributors are noted library authorities intimately involved in every facet of the construction procedure and cost accounting, and the book includes helpful photographs, illustrations, tables, and appendices to clarify and help practicing librarians and library students alike fully understand the strategies needed to create a functional library facility that fulfills expectations. Planning, Renovating, Expanding, and Constructing Library Facilities in Hospitals, Academic Medical Centers, and Health Organizations includes case studies of: a resource library moved into a basement renovations to the Osler Library at McGill University, Montreal, Quebec construction of the Booker Health Services Library at the Jersey Shore University Medical Center a merger of two libraries at Trinitas Hospital, Elizabeth, New Jersey the renovation of a small hospital library designing a new library in a historic naval hospital the Hope Fox Eccles Clinical Library Renovation Project expansion and renovation of the Welch Medical Library at Johns Hopkins University and much more! Planning, Renovating, Expanding, and Constructing Library Facilities in Hospitals, Academic Medical Centers, and Health Organizations is an insightful resource for educators, students, and librarians of all types.