Library Services for Special Populations - Term Paper Example

? Library Services for Special Populations The field of library services is rapidly expanding and growing in this digital age. While one would think that libraries are a thing of the past, this is simply not the reality. It is true that more and more information is now being located online, but this is simply shifting the role of librarians from more of a physical to a virtual presence. That being said, it is increasingly becoming difficult to service the needs of certain special populations because of their unique requirements, the lack of staff training, and a constantly changing need to get accurate and timely information to individuals from all walks of life. It is important, therefore, to study the various needs of the disabled, military, and homosexual populations in order to more properly and effectively provide them with the services and resources that they need in this digital age. That is the role of the library services professional. Library Services for Special Populations Introduction Free society prides itself on easy access to information. For the general population, accessibility to required and desired information is often a relatively easy and painless process. For special populations, such as for the disabled or the military, such access becomes more difficult. Library services are designed to give individuals access to the information that they need, as long as such information is not confidential, is such a manner that they do not have to struggle to find or read it. In an era of increasingly digital information, this becomes even more critical as required information can be more difficult to locate and access for these populations. It is important, therefore, to look at ways that modern day library services can be revolutionized to more effective service the special populations among us. In order to advance with technology and still progressively serve the needs of special populations, libraries need to look for ways to implement new devices and business models into their way of serving the public. Some of the special populations that require varying levels of library services include the disable, gay and lesbian, military, and religious organizations. Each of these groups requires different types of services that are not always found in the typical public or private library or archival service. With the advent of online resources and libraries, this need becomes even more critical. This paper examines current methodologies and strategies that can be utilized to enable library services personnel to better service the needs of these special populations and to increase accessibility to various resources. Library Services and the Disabled Population Countries around the world have wrestled with how to best provide access to critical information and services to the disabled population for years. This is issue has recently come center stage for library services as well, particularly given the rapid expansion of digitalization. Many disabled people simply cannot find access to certain sections of the library, or they cannot read the information contained on a normal computer screen. Owing to this fact, it is important for the library services professional to look for new and creative ways of reaching this special population. Disabilities that must be accounted for in today’s library include users with print-related disabilities, vision or motor impairments, those with less noticeable conditions such as autism or dyslexia, in addition to users with a host of other needs that made a typical library difficult for them to use and access (Koulikourdi, 2008, p. 203). It is generally accepted that professional in the library services field must first identify the disabilities exhibited by their patrons, understand what they need from the library, determine how they best access information, and learn what problems in the current library environment they currently encounter. By following these steps, libraries can work to make sure that their facility is more accessible and user-friendly to a broad range of individuals that need access to the information contained within. While we would like to thinking that library science programs today are preparing future librarians for this task, many debate whether or not that is actually occurring (Koulikourdi, 2008, p. 203). It is argued that too much of the thrust in such programs is related to providing accessibility to non-disabled patrons, and that little emphasis is placed on focusing on the needs of people who need a bit more assistance in locating the information they require with ease. Many libraries are public facilities and thereby follow under the Americans with Disabilities Act. In additions, many library service professionals truly want to help all individuals, regardless of any special needs that they might have, but they often struggle with the knowledge or the resources to do so. Burke (2009) notes that the ADA has been drafted to stipulate that libraries “must provide equitable access for people with disabilities through modified services such as extended loan periods, waived late fines, extended reserve periods, and library cards for proxies” (p. 44). These serve as a springboard for modifying a library to offer services that are more accommodating to the disabled population. In addition, library services should work to provide books being sent by mail, fax, email, or even a home delivery service. It is often helpful to provide customers with remote or online access to library databases and materials, particularly for those that are homebound. Volunteers can be enlisted to help service the disable population, especially when it comes to reaching and locating books that are in high or low positions on shelving units (Burke, 2009, p. 44). For libraries to be friendlier to the disabled population, they need to ensure that certain inherent physical and communication are removed. Studies show that this includes modifying parking lots and curbs to allow for easy mobility for the physically disabled, as well as working to ensure that entrances, doors, tables, desks, and other public conveniences are accounted for as well. To make sure that these and other needs are being met, staff should undergo regular training in the area of ADA compliance. Specifically, library services personnel should constantly be looking for new devices and innovations in the field to make their material more accessible to the disabled population (Ashcroft, 2003, p. 178). It is important that libraries take into account all of the various disabilities that patrons may have. Burke (2009) writes, “Suggestions for collections include both having materials on a variety of topics in alternative formats and having up-to-date material on the spectrum of disabilities, disability issues, and services for people with disabilities, their families, and other concerned persons” (p. 44). This entails libraries truly taking into account every possible disability that their customers may present. In order to accomplish this, it is important that the librarian of the future be able to ascertain what services they need to supply this special population and how they can best access it. If they are able to do that, then they will be perceived to have done their job. Library Services and the Military Population Libraries may tend to neglect military personnel when considering special populations that they serve. The maintenance and operation of a library for military purposes is a special task. There are scholarly resources available that can assist library services staff to keep up to date about current advances in the field. This can prove useful in providing the best library services possible to anyone with a military need. The SLS Military Libraries Division (2013) is one such resource. The site provides a forum for the exchanging of ideas and information that relate to military libraries and librarians in general. This resource also provides a clearinghouse that enable staff to carry out various projects designed to assist members in improving the services that they offer to this special population. It is also important to provide advancement opportunities for professional in the field of military library services and to help them understand why their role is critical to national defense. Members of the military have unique needs. They are often prohibited from physically visiting a library, yet they have time sensitive and urgent needs for information. As such, libraries need to be prepared to provide quick access to the military, often in a virtual environment, on a strict deadline basis. In the interim, much of the information contained in these special collections are confidential and not to be released to the general public. Part of the role of library services, then, has become to quickly gauge who has proper access to certain resources and information contained at the library. Individuals who service the military population must be sensitive to the needs of service members, while at the same time be willing to maintain control over the information for the sake of national defense. It is truly a special, yet fulfilling, job (SLA, 2013, para. 5). The division of armed services often conducts audits of libraries. Each branch of the military actually conducts its own audit in an attempt to determine whether the level of services provided is appropriate to the given branch of the military. They have determined that it is important to have trained staff, adequate resources, and the ability to provide digital access to information that various personnel need. As such, it is important that military library service personnel remain versed in the resources and technology necessary to take care of the informational needs of the military (SLS, 2013, para. 8). Library Services and the Gay and Lesbian Population The American Library Association (ALA) recommends certain services and outreach resources be directed specifically at the gay and lesbian community. Much of this material is sensitive and confidential, so library services staff should be trained to be sensitive to the needs of this population, recognize their desire for privacy, and recognize the need for limited access to only those that are mature enough for the subject matter. The ALA (2013) states, “As a population which is often the subject of discrimination and harassment, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people can benefit from the access to information which libraries provide and the sense of community which library programs can help foster” (para. 1). The gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered population is an increasingly growing and vocal force in communities throughout the country. The library bill of rights reminds us that library services, and access to information and resources therein, should provide ready access to all people. This implies that sexual orientation should have no bearing on the resources, or accessibility thereof that is provided to a respective demographic. This particular population of library users are often limited or prohibited in the information they have access to. Some areas that this manifest itself include the reality that many collections in libraries today to not present any type of GLBT content or perspective. Libraries frequently are found to be censoring such information, such that even those with a need to access the information are prohibited from doing so (ALA, 2013, para. 8-11). In addition, research has shown that libraries may be guilty of creating an environment that is not welcoming of individuals who identify themselves as being a member of a sexual minority group. This can occur through the actions and words of other patrons, but staff members as well. To combat this, librarians and other staff should undergo sensitivity training to discover how to better service this particular segment of the population. Finally, it has also been discovered that programs and services offered at libraries to not address or promote the gay or lesbian individual. Libraries would do well to work with local GLBT organizations to determine how to better liaison and with this demographic group. In so doing, the equal access clause of the library bill of rights can begin to come alive in libraries that service this population. Conclusion Information truly is golden. For centuries, libraries have served as the central location where individuals from all walks of life can gain knowledge about a variety of topics of interest to them. While recent years have seen a shift away from the brick and mortar library to a more virtual environment, the mission of the library remains. As mentioned on the American Librarian Association (2013) website, libraries are tasked with the important job of providing access to information equally to all patrons, regardless of who they are. In some areas, libraries across the country meet this objective with glowing colors, while failing in others. Moving forward, it is important that libraries begin to focus more on special populations in order to ensure that they do not get left behind with the increasing digitalization and cataloguing of information across the country. While this literature review has review the current needs regarding three important special population groups, let us be reminded that there are countless others. While it is easy to focus only on the general population and open access to information, it is important still to remember that certain demographic groups among us have different needs. While not everyone needs disabled access to certain microfilm, for example, a library that focuses of screen magnification systems means a world of different to the visual impaired person. Similarly, a comfortable, accepting, and private environment can mean the difference between a gay or lesbian individual feeling welcome at the local library and them being shunned into staying away. Library services are about more than just the cataloguing of resources. It is the ability to make those resources available to everyone, based on individual needs, in an easily accessible manner. This is the importance of studying current trends in the field. References American Library Association. (2013). Outreach resources for services to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. Retrieved from www.ala.org/advocacy/diversity/outreachtounderservedpopulations/servicesgay Ashcroft, L. (2003). Accessibility kits help more disable people access library services. New Library World, 104(4/5), 178. Burke, S. (2009). Perceptions of public library accessibility for people with disabilities. Reference Librarian, 50(1), 43-54. Koulikourdi, A. (2008). Library education and disability issues. Education for Information, 26(3/4), 203-212. SLS Military Libraries Division. (2013). The military libraries division brings together those interested in the betterment of military library service. Retrieved from www.military.sla.org Read More