Is Your Library Accessible?

摘要

"Sure We're accessible, there's a handicapped sign on the boiler room door out back." Does this sound like your library's accessibility solution? Making your public library accessible to the handicapped can be complicated and expensive, and it may even reduce your usable space, but getting it done is more important than ever, and it can improve the function of your library for everyone. According to the American Library Association (ALA), there are nearly 17,000 public libraries in the United States. In its most recent (2010) Public Library Survey, the Institute of Museum and Library Services reports visits to public libraries totaled 1.5 billion, or 5.1 library visits per capita. These numbers are continuing to rise, and the recession has spurred demand even further. Given these trends, the aging of America's population, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, providing equal access to all is the right thing to do-and soon.