scholarly journals Exploration of School Library Services for Students with Disabilities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Setya Raharja ◽  
Meilina Bustari ◽  
Rahmat Fadhli

To implement inclusive education, schools need to provide a range of services for students with disabilities. One component that must be adapted is the school library, which must also create an inclusive environment so students with disabilities can access it. This research aimed to examine and explore school libraries’ readiness to provide services for students with disabilities. This was qualitative research. The research was conducted in five school libraries in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. Data were collected through library accessibility checklist forms from IFLA, in-depth interviews, and documentation analysis. Ten informants participated, while documentation was examined from school-owned documents, websites, and school library profile videos. The results showed that only two school libraries were well prepared to provide services for students with disabilities, one of which already provided special services for people with disabilities. In contrast, other libraries have not provided services for students with disabilities because there is no need for internal schools. However, some of the school libraries have done mapping and planned the needs for developing disability services to optimize library services. Keywords: school library, library service, accessibility, students with disabilities

Mousaion ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorothy Eneya ◽  
Dennis N. Ocholla ◽  
Bertha Janneke Mostert

This paper investigates the University of Zululand Library’s response to the university’s inclusive education agenda with respect to the accessibility of library services to students with disabilities. This was a qualitative study within the interpretive paradigm that used Michael Oliver’s social model of disability as an underpinning theory. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from students with disabilities and library staff. In addition, physical inspection of the library building was also conducted. Data analysis was done by thematic analysis. The study reveals that the University of Zululand Library services are not inclusive. Students with disabilities struggle to access library services. They faced such challenges as inaccessibility of library services, unavailability of resources in alternative formats and assistive technologies, and the lack of a disability policy. The study also found that the library faced the following challenges in providing services for students with disabilities: limited funding, a lack of staff awareness and training, the lack of a disability policy and a lack of collaboration. Formulating regulations to enforce the implementation of disability policy and legislation, developing institutional disability policies, and providing assistive technologies are critical in ensuring the accessibility of library services to students with disabilities at the University of Zululand. Unless students with disabilities have equal access to information, the university’s inclusive education agenda will remain a distant dream. Access to academic library services is critical to the full participation of students with disabilities in education. Likewise, inclusive university education can only be realised when students with disabilities have equal access to information. This aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations Convention on the Rights for Persons with Disabilities, which promote equal access to services and facilities to persons with disabilities. This paper raises awareness for both library staff and university management about the current status of library facilities and services with respect to accessibility for students with disabilities and how to address inclusiveness in library service provision.


SAGE Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 215824401880779 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Asamoah ◽  
Kwadwo Ofori-Dua ◽  
Ebenezer Cudjoe ◽  
Alhassan Abdullah ◽  
Joy Ato Nyarko

The purpose of this study is to investigate the perception of visually impaired students, their peers without disabilities, and teachers about inclusive education, focusing on a second cycle educational institution in the Eastern region of Ghana implementing inclusive education for the visually impaired. In this study, we collected data from 23 visually impaired students, 27 students without disabilities, and 19 teachers in the inclusive school. Data were collected through semistructured in-depth interviews. This study followed a phenomenological approach, reporting findings from participants’ own words. The study findings revealed that visually impaired students and some teachers supported inclusion while a number of students without disabilities disliked the practice. Some teachers indicated that the idea of inclusive education is a good way to ensure equal educational opportunities. The study concludes that Ghanaian teachers in inclusive schools should be equipped with training to teach students with disabilities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amelia Anderson ◽  
Selena Layden

School librarians work with students across their organizations, including those with disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, little is known about how prepared school librarians are to serve these students. Using a mixed-methods survey, this study sought to explore training school librarians have taken about ASD and students with disabilities, as well as the effects of training on librarian confidence and library services. Based on results, librarians who received training through their school district or professional development outside of coursework reported being more confident in supporting students with ASD in the school library.


2021 ◽  
pp. 99-110
Author(s):  
Yushiana Mansor

Provides an overview on the significance of studying information seeking behavior of children to enhance the role of school libraries. The literature on children's information seeking behavior is reviewed and integrated into the perspective of school library services. Discussion on the different models of information seeking is presented. Focuses on children's information seeking behavior in the electronic environment. Outlines issues related to children's access and barriers to information. An analysis of research methodology used is provided. Offers suggestions on the future research direction with emphasis on the Malaysian school libraries environment.


Author(s):  
Beatriz Morgado ◽  
Noelia Melero ◽  
Víctor Molina ◽  
María Dolores Cortés-Vega

The presence of students with disabilities in the universities is increasing. Faculty need to be trained in order to attend these students and with the objective to offer and inclusice education. The aim of this communication is to identify, describe and explain the barriers and aids that students with disabilities experience in university classroom. Forty four students with disabilitis participated in the research. A biographical narrative methodology was used. The university-life histories of the students were complied by making use of in-depth interviews, lifelines and photographs. Results indicate the important of faculty training in matters concerning disabilities and new technologies, informing to the faculty of the presence of students with disabilities in their classroom,  the existence of a specific service to support the faculty and the important of iimproving a positive attitude toward the disability. These results are dicussed in line with other studies. Recommendations are maded according to inclusive education and offering keys to universities to provide training plans leading to inclusive education and learning.


2021 ◽  
pp. 163-168
Author(s):  
Kay Ellen Hones

Library Media Center 2000 focuses on school library services, technology, training and advocacy—restructuring information and meeting learning needs: linguistic, cultural, multimedia. Over the last three years, San Francisco library media teachers have engaged in a process of professional development opportunities, networking and communication. In a district that has experienced massive cutbacks in library media services, library media teachers have encouraged and supported each other while learning to use new technologies, and sharing areas of expertise and resources.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-39
Author(s):  
Aiyebelehin. James Afebuameh ◽  
Iboi Catherine (CLN)

The paper explores the roles of school libraries in the rebirth of Nigerian Education system with particular focus on Edo state. The strategies employed at Lumen Christi International High School were carefully examined. The paper employed the document analysis and exploratory approach to gather facts for making conclusions. Very prominent among facts gathered from literature were that: there is a decay in the Nigerian Education system; and that school libraries have crucial roles to play in the rebirth of the education system. The paper concluded that for there to be meaningful development in the education system, the school library must be positioned to contribute to the process, and the school librarian must devise strategies to effect a change in the orientation of the students in the primary and secondary schools.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (36) ◽  
pp. 44-51
Author(s):  
Ulla Pötsönen

Finnish library services for children and young adults are an integral part of Finnish society, education and societal life. The article highlights the historical development and present day of Finnish library system as well as describes the best practices on the activities libraries provide for young clientele and their caretakers.After World War II, Finland started a rapid rise towards being a modern nation. Reading as a pastime hobby gained popularity, there were more education possibilities, the level of education was on the rise and young people spent more years in school instead of starting to work early. All this had a positive effect on library services. The changes in education and society had their effect on children’s library services as well, and today children’s and youth libraries are an essential part of Finnish society.Unlike in many other countries, Finland does not have school libraries in every school. At the moment, there are some excellent school libraries and dedicated school librarians but majority of schools are served with public libraries. The line between school library and public library is blurred, as majority of visits may be of pupils but the connection between high quality education and well-functioning library service has enabled libraries and schools to develop common goals, objectives and strategies.


Author(s):  
Eric M. Meyers

Changes in educational policy and practice demand that we examine school library programs from a new perspective. As a model that takes a developmental view of minds in context, activity theory is particularly well suited to the study of school libraries and the learning that occurs therein. This paper presents an activitytheoretic model of the school library and delineates its elements and relationships. Case examples drawn from an ongoing study of libraries in the midst of school reform demonstrate the application of this framework and suggest how it may be employed to guide research and the development of library services and practices.


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