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How do you include special populations in library decisions?

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Libraries are public institutions that serve diverse communities with different needs, preferences, and expectations. To provide equitable and inclusive services, libraries need to involve special populations in their decision-making processes. Special populations are groups of people who face barriers or challenges in accessing library resources, such as people with disabilities, seniors, immigrants, refugees, LGBTQ+ people, homeless people, and others. In this article, you will learn how to include special populations in library decisions by following these steps:

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Dr. Muhammad Usman (PhD, CFCIPD, PFHEA, SFSEDA, SMIEEE, CMBE)

Founder and CEO "The Case HQ" | AI Strategist and Thought Leader | Professor (Associate) | Accreditation Consultant |…
Fernanda Costa

Especialista em Gest?o Estratégica da Informa??o e Bibliotecária, com habilidades em Organiza??o, Digitaliza??o e…

1 Identify special populations

The first step is to identify who are the special populations in your community and what are their specific needs and interests. You can use various methods to gather this information, such as surveys, focus groups, interviews, observation, or data analysis. You can also consult with existing organizations or groups that represent or serve special populations, such as advocacy groups, social service agencies, schools, or cultural centers. By identifying special populations, you will be able to understand their perspectives and priorities and tailor your services accordingly.

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Dr. Muhammad Usman (PhD, CFCIPD, PFHEA, SFSEDA, SMIEEE, CMBE)

Founder and CEO "The Case HQ" | AI Strategist and Thought Leader | Professor (Associate) | Accreditation Consultant | Scientific Patents | CIPD Level 7 SHRD | OTHM Level 8 SM&LP | Digital Learning Expert
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Identifying special populations within a community is an essential step in providing inclusive and targeted services. To achieve this, a combination of data-driven insights and community engagement is crucial. Utilizing methods such as surveys and data analysis helps gather quantitative information about the demographics and specific needs of special populations. Additionally, collaborating with community organisations, advocacy groups, and individuals through interviews, focus groups, and open dialogues provides qualitative insights into their unique challenges, interests, and aspirations.

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2 Involve special populations

The second step is to involve special populations in your decision-making processes, such as planning, designing, implementing, and evaluating library services. You can use different strategies to engage special populations, such as forming advisory committees, hosting community forums, inviting feedback, or creating participatory projects. You can also use various communication channels and formats to reach out to special populations, such as social media, newsletters, flyers, posters, or podcasts. By involving special populations, you will be able to build trust and collaboration and ensure that your services are responsive and relevant.

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Elin Crotty

Archives and Library Assistant
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You can work with a consultant or specialist to make your spaces and engagement activities more personalised and accessible to communities in advance of their visit. You should actively seek recommendations from the communities that you wish to engage with, as they are the experts of their own experience, history, and needs. Reach out and ask them if there's any adjustments that you can make to facilitate their visit, and let them know that you are willing to work with them to enable their access. You should provide support to assist their use, rather than try to direct it.

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3 Accommodate special populations

The third step is to accommodate special populations in your library environment, policies, and procedures. You can use various tools and techniques to make your library accessible, welcoming, and supportive for special populations, such as adaptive technology, signage, furniture, lighting, or noise reduction. You can also review and revise your library policies and procedures to ensure that they are fair, flexible, and respectful for special populations, such as lending rules, fines, fees, or privacy. By accommodating special populations, you will be able to reduce barriers and challenges and enhance their library experience.

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Sara Durbin

Library Assistant II at Graham Public Library
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Additionally: Making libraries accessible to special populations can make them easier for everyone to use, as it lowers barriers for some outside of special populations that may not have noticed it was a barrier for them as well. Increasing accessibility and accommodations in libraries is a public good for all patrons, even if some of those accommodations are initially designed around a niche group of prospective patrons.

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4 Educate special populations

The fourth step is to educate special populations about your library services and resources. You can use various methods and materials to inform and instruct special populations about what your library offers and how they can use it, such as orientation sessions, workshops, guides, brochures, or videos. You can also customize and adapt your educational content and delivery to suit the needs and preferences of special populations, such as language, literacy, culture, or learning style. By educating special populations, you will be able to increase their awareness and confidence and encourage their library use.

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5 Advocate for special populations

The fifth step is to advocate for special populations within and outside your library. You can use various actions and platforms to raise awareness and support for the needs and rights of special populations, such as campaigns, petitions, letters, or presentations. You can also partner and network with other organizations or groups that advocate for special populations, such as associations, coalitions, or media. By advocating for special populations, you will be able to influence policies and practices and improve their social and economic conditions.

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6 Evaluate special populations

The sixth step is to evaluate your library services and resources for special populations. You can use various measures and indicators to assess the impact and effectiveness of your library services and resources for special populations, such as usage statistics, satisfaction surveys, testimonials, or case studies. You can also involve special populations in your evaluation process, such as asking for feedback, suggestions, or recommendations. By evaluating your library services and resources for special populations, you will be able to identify strengths and weaknesses and make improvements and adjustments.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Fernanda Costa

Especialista em Gest?o Estratégica da Informa??o e Bibliotecária, com habilidades em Organiza??o, Digitaliza??o e Gest?o Eletr?nica de Documentos (GED), Gest?o de Bibliotecas Universitárias.
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Em minha experiência, a implementa??o de sess?es de conta??o de histórias em língua de sinais foi uma iniciativa que surgiu diretamente das sugest?es de um grupo de foco de pessoas surdas. Isso n?o apenas aumentou a acessibilidade da biblioteca para a comunidade surda, mas também promoveu a inclus?o cultural e social. Além disso, é importante oferecer treinamento regular para a equipe sobre práticas inclusivas e sensibilidade cultural para garantir um ambiente acolhedor e um atendimento eficaz a todas as popula??es.

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How do you include special populations in library decisions?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Identify special populations

2 Involve special populations

3 Accommodate special populations

4 Educate special populations

5 Advocate for special populations

6 Evaluate special populations

7 Here’s what else to consider

Library Services

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How do you include special populations in library decisions?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Identify special populations

2 Involve special populations

3 Accommodate special populations

4 Educate special populations

5 Advocate for special populations

6 Evaluate special populations

7 Here’s what else to consider

Library Services

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