Accessibility and Special Collections Libraries: Using Technology to Close the Digital Divide

摘要

Technology is certainly not a new topic to librarians. From small, rural libraries to public research universities, patrons can find fun gadgets from iPads and cameras to makerspaces. Many libraries across the United States are providing their patrons with access to new technology that may not have been available elsewhere. As increasingly more libraries focus on purchasing and maintaining new technology, and as more patrons gain access to cutting edge tools, one type of patron is often forgotten in the day-to-day shuffle. Patrons with disabilities are an important minority group in the library that often do not have their voices heard on matters of technology. Serving as the backbone to many academic institutions, rare books and special collections libraries in particular must gain awareness to this ever-growing problem in libraries to give people with disabilities access to priceless and rare resources that are collected for the public's use. It is only by providing assistive technology that rare books and special collections libraries will be able to close the digital divide in this age of evolving technology and provide accessibility for all.