Accessibility and DEI-Focused Library Solutions
Libraries play a vital role in their communities and are a valuable resource for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. They are often considered a “third place” which means that they provide a welcoming and inclusive environment where community members can gather, socialize, and engage with each other. Moreover, libraries provide the community with access to educational resources, wi-fi, books, and other media.
For those reasons, accessibility is a key concern in the design and functionality of libraries. To be an inclusive and welcoming place, disabilities, and other challenges that community members may face must be considered. Only then will a library become a truly diverse and inclusive space with equal access to all that it provides.
When developing innovative solutions for libraries, these DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility) issues are always top priority at Lyngsoe Systems, as they are a key part of our ESG and sustainability goals and strategy. Our products are designed to be used by all types of people regardless of physical and mental challenges and do not require any higher technical understanding. This, we believe, is paramount to building an inclusive and accessible workplace and community space.
On this page, you can read more about how our solutions can help make your library more accessible for your staff and patrons alike.
Accessibility for Patrons
Self-Service Solutions for All
To achieve an accessible library space for all patrons, the solutions should be aimed at individuals regardless of physical challenges and age. One way to ensure this is to incorporate height-adjustable self-service kiosks into the library. These make it easier for both children, wheelchair users, and other disabled patrons to use the kiosk and ensure that they can check out items independently like everyone else. In this way, the kiosk will further free up staff time, as they do not need to assist patrons who have trouble reaching the kiosks.
With the push of a button, the Lyngsoe LibDeco™, Library Mate™ 5000, and Lyngsoe Classic™ can be adjusted in height to fit the needs of any patron. Thereby, the patron will be able to reach the screen without stretching, making the checkout and return process more enjoyable for all.
Assistive Technologies
As libraries are a space for diverse groups of people, accessibility is not just about physical needs. For example, you might have patrons of different nationalities, speaking widely different languages that you wish to accommodate. In that case, the technology of the self-service solutions is a significant issue. Self-service kiosks are meant to free up time for staff, so if your patrons do not understand their language, this benefit is diminished.
The LibRid software, which comes with all Lyngsoe self-service kiosks enables patrons to choose between a large variety of languages so that they can manage checkout and return processes on their own. This is further supported by the fact that the software offers specially designed, easy-to-read fonts in two sizes along with a choice of contrast which altogether makes for a personalized and accessible experience for all patrons.
Finally, should a patron need further assistance, they can notify staff with the touch of a button on the screen.
Wide Access Through RFID Gates
For many libraries, the installation of RFID gates is a matter of security. Whether it is to avoid unregistered books leaving the library or as a part of an open library solution, it requires all patrons to go through both upon entrance and exit. To establish a fully accessible library, it is thus important to take wheelchair users and parents with strollers into consideration.
The Lyngsoe Alarm Gates™ come in different versions with the largest gate accommodating both wheelchairs and strollers easily. Utilizing these will not only make your library secure and accessible for all, but they also further have the benefit that you can be flexible in accepting goods through your entrances.
Accessibility at All Times
An often neglected aspect of accessibility is the concern of opening hours. Not only may some be restricted from visiting the library due to work or other obligations, but some patrons may also prefer or require a quieter environment when they visit the library. This can, for example, be due to mental challenges that complicate the use of the library during peak opening hours.
Considering these needs, an Open Library solution may be a suitable option. The Lyngsoe Self-Operated Library™ can extend your opening hours without increasing costs or the need for staff. Instead, patrons can let themselves into the library using their library card. The solution further includes safety features such as camera surveillance, communication via loudspeakers, and alarm gates. That way you can keep track of the use of the library outside staffed hours and ensure that materials are kept secure.
Accessibility for Staff
Height-Adjustable Staff Solutions
An accessible environment promotes inclusivity by enabling staff members and volunteers with disabilities or other accessibility needs to work effectively alongside their colleagues. One way of ensuring this is by utilizing products and solutions that are aimed at all individuals regardless of challenges.
The Lyngsoe Ergo Staff™ 1200 is a dedicated to staff induction, that feeds materials, such as books, directly onto the Lyngsoe Sort Mate™ sorter. The Ergo Staff is easily height adjustable and has an optional shelf that offers further comfort. This helps ensure that even long working hours do not become painful for staff that work with material handling. The Ergo Staff is, furthermore, part of a series of Lyngsoe products that focus on ergonomics for an optimal workspace.
Ergonomics
Most libraries, especially large libraries with many visitors, experience the challenge of collecting books and other materials and returning them into circulation. Sorting and stacking book returns can put a substantial physical strain on your employees as they must bend and stretch to place materials back on the shelves, ready for the next patron. These movements may in some cases lead to repetitive strain injuries which can be very painful and should be prevented.
For these reasons, ergonomics is a significant concern for libraries as workplaces. Luckily, products such as the Lyngsoe Ergo Staff™, Ergo Bin™, and Ergo Cart™ can assist in easing the workload for staff throughout their workday ultimately supporting their long-term health.
One of the most common tasks for library staff is reshelving books after sorting. Here, the Ergo Cart can be used as a sorting destination and subsequently be raised to a horizontal position at the touch of a button. This ensures a safe and easy reshelving process that does not require any awkward work positions or angles for staff. In addition, the ergonomically shaped handlebar and large casters make it easy to maneuver a fully loaded cart around the library.
Another tool for minimizing straining work positions is the Lyngsoe Library Clerk™. The lightweight tool functions as your assistant in locating materials, managing shelves, or doing stock-take. That way you can easily locate exactly what you need rather than bend and stretch to read titles on top and bottom shelves.
As these products exemplify, ergonomics has always been a significant consideration at Lyngsoe Systems. The original Ergo Cart was first released in 2000, and so we consider ourselves fairly versed in the development of ergonomic solutions to the benefit of the libraries we serve.
EU, ADA, and DDA Compliance
When considering accessibility issues in libraries, ADA and DDA compliance is an important objective. ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) are American and British pieces of legislation that work to protect people with disabilities from discrimination. In other words, people with disabilities must have access to places used by the public. The legislation of course covers several other areas, but for libraries, this is the most important.
Similarly, the EU has provided a range of functional accessibility requirements applicable to ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) products and services. These requirements include, among other, the specific measurements that should be followed for products such as self-check kiosks to be accessible for all users.
To ensure true accessibility to libraries and their services, Lyngsoe Systems prioritizes compliance with the specific requirements of this legislation in the development of products and solutions. For example, the newest addition to the Lyngsoe product collection, the LibDeco F20 self-checkout kiosk, is fully ADA-compliant and lives up to EU standards and measurements. Choosing this self-service solution thus supports the journey towards an entirely accessible library.
To summarize, accessibility in libraries is a significant aspect, not just of following legislation, but also of providing the best possible experience for both staff and patrons. Here, solutions such as sorters, self-service equipment, and ergonomic work tools are a substantial contribution.
Ensuring Diversity and Inclusion with IMMS™
As part of DEIA considerations, ensuring a diverse and inclusive collection across library branches is imperative. This can, however, be difficult especially for libraries with large collections and multiple branches as it is difficult to get the overview needed.
Here, the Lyngsoe IMMS™ SaaS solution can be a powerful tool. By providing detailed information about book usage, IMMS can help libraries identify areas where representation is lacking and adjust their collections accordingly.
IMMS™ can track the popularity of materials categorized as representing various cultures, ethnicities, and perspectives, informing collection development and weeding decisions.
Beyond collection management, IMMS can contribute to maintaining diverse and inclusive exhibitions. Exhibitions or displays work very well in encouraging loans, but without a management system like IMMS to maintain the exhibit by ensuring that it is refilled with the right material categories, they risk being emptied out or becoming unattractive. This way, libraries can ensure that an exhibit highlighting a marginalized community can stay interesting and relevant over long periods of time.
Finally, IMMS can help ensure a consistent implementation of diversity and inclusion initiatives across all library branches. By providing a centralized platform for managing collection and circulation data, IMMS allows libraries to monitor the distribution of materials categorized as representing diverse viewpoints throughout their system.
For instance, IMMS can push materials to branches with underrepresented collections and facilitate the transfer of relevant materials to address these gaps, if this is the collection the library decides to offer. Additionally, the system can support equitable resource allocation by analyzing circulation data to determine which branches have the highest demand for diverse materials.
As for Lyngsoe, accessibility and DEIA are a large part of our ESG strategy and the development of new and existing products. We strive to be the leading partner in not just innovative library solutions, but also in making libraries more accessible, sustainable, and inclusive on all accounts.