Assignment X: Removing ALL Barriers

“The central purpose of libraries is to provide a service: access to information” (Buckland, 1997). 

But what if access to that service or information was placed on the highest unobtainable shelf just out of reach for some patrons?

How can we change our services and practices to meet the changing needs of our patrons and eliminate any barriers that prevent them from getting the information they need? The answer is simple—a transparent hyperlinked library model. 

The hyperlinked library is centered on humanizing the library, the librarian, and the patron. We practice participatory and transparent service, lead with compassion, embrace change and the chaos that comes with it, and challenge the past to create a better tomorrow for our patrons and the communities we serve. 

How can we practice transparent librarianship to ensure that library services are accessible to all users regardless of if they ever step foot in the library? 

First, we need to know what barriers patrons face when accessing library services. Some of these barriers may include:

• • • Late fees or fines
    • Transportation to the library
    • Awareness of the services offered
    • Policies that perpetuate exclusion and stereotypes
    • Library card membership

We’ve identified the barriers, now how do we promote library usage for ALL users? Let’s take a look.

Free means free. 

Commonly, fees and fines are used as a deterrent to encourage patrons to return materials to the library. But fees for late, lost, or damaged books do not punish patrons equally or fairly. “Too often those who are least able to pay fines are those who accrue them. Yet we see that patrons of all ages and demographics avoid the library because they have overdue fines and items still in their possession” (Sifton, 2009). How can libraries abolish fees and fines without losing revenue? Some libraries take community driven routes and encourage patrons to make donations of canned goods to eliminate any fees they may have accrued over the years. Other libraries have a little fun and encourage patrons to bring in pictures of cats to remove any fines from their accounts. 

Bring the library to them.

Transportation to and from libraries can be a significant barrier for all demographics of library users. Two examples of the library being everywhere come from my hometown of Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Clark County Library District (LVCCLD) has installed a library vending machine at the children’s hospital. This is what the heart of the hyperlinked library is all about. “Whether it’s a child awaiting treatment, a parent seeking solace in a story, or a staff member taking a brief respite from the day’s challenges, the vending machine offers a literary oasis” (LVCCLD, 2024). Another way the LVCCLD is embracing the hyperlinked library model is by bringing the library to all users through their partnership with the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC). RTC transit riders can access the Libby app with RTC Wi-Fi or by scanning the QR code for the Libby app inside each bus. All users need to create an account is a mobile phone number and they can gain instant access to the library’s digital collection. Bookmobiles, delivery programs, and other creative outreach measures ensure that everyone has access to library services no matter where they are.

If you build it, they will come (but only if they know you built it in the first place).

Libraries must remain connected to the communities they serve and be active in the channels frequented by their patrons. Librarians can’t just create programs and services and hope people show up. They have to market their services and programs and ensure they aren’t just implementing unnecessary programs for the sake of having them. Having community input on and participation in the creation of programs and services that are important to them is a crucial factor of the transparent library. “Open communication means talking to the staff and community about the library’s mission, plans for new services, and idea building” (Casey and Stephens, 2014). Along with having open communication and user participation, librarians should also be able to scan the horizon. “Recognizing trends can lead to innovation and improvement” (Casey and Stephens, 2014). Many libraries are already listening to their communities and identifying emerging trends and issues. Take the Beloit Public Library for example. They’ve identified a problem with drug overdoses in their community. They’ve addressed this issue by providing free access to a NARCAN® vending machine in the main lobby of the library.  “To access the NARCAN® and test strips from the machine, a person simply types in the code next to an item, and the item drops down in the tray below. No money is required, nor is the input of any identifying information” (Beloit Public Library, 2023).  The Billings Public Library created a Community Cabinet after the reference librarian, Arnold, talked with community members at a skate park who requested personal hygiene products. The Community Cabinet, which is completely donation based, provides free hygiene products such as dental products, period products, soap, clothing, and more all of which can be taken discreetly and freely, without even needing a library card. Arnold says, “You don’t have to be using or patronizing the library to come in and use the cabinet. You can just pop in the front door before anyone has really seen you or talked to you yet” (Newmark, 2023). Open communication with community members and an awareness of community issues have made these services a success. 

Libraries are safe spaces.

As librarians, we must show compassion and heart for every patron. Compassion and human decency should be reflected in any policies or conduct codes enforced by the library. One sensitive demographic that we will encounter as librarians are unhoused patrons. The library is one of the last remaining truly free spaces that welcomes and advocates for patrons regardless of their socioeconomic status. However, some libraries have policies in place that not only limit library access to unhoused patrons but also perpetuate poverty stereotyping, and a lot of these policies are a result of patron complaints. “When enacting conduct codes, libraries must be sure that they are, in fact, regulating behavior, and not participating in poverty profiling” (Mars, 2013). There will always be vocal groups who demand that action be taken against something or someone. Librarians must champion an atmosphere that is welcoming and safe for all patrons and promote the equal access of information for all patron’s regardless of their status. “Being a good, innovative librarian means taking a humanistic stance toward policy, decision-making, and experimentation. It means focusing on the heart” (Stephens, 2016, p. 6). 

Get Carded.

The ability to obtain a library card should not come with any barriers—but alas, some of the current library card policies restrict access to those without a permanent address, identification card, or guardian permission. Instead of telling patrons “NO”, libraries are finding creative ways to ensure that everyone can access the library and services they require. At the Driftwood Public Library, patrons experiencing homelessness can get a full-access library card with a letter from a shelter as proof of residence. If a patron can’t provide proof of an address, they can get a provisional card that allows them to check out two physical items at a time and gain access to digital collections. After a probationary period, a provisional cardholder can then be up-graded to a full-access card. Young adult patrons at the Manchester City Library can receive a library card without parental approval with a “valid picture ID, class schedule/proof of school enrollment, or school ID as proof of residence in Manchester” (Manchester City Library, 2024). Libraries are continuously finding ways to get more people into the library to discover the many benefits and uses of a library card.

Reflection

Libraries are the living breathing heart of our communities. And they change lives. No matter who you are, the library welcomes you and asks for nothing in return. As librarians in training, we must challenge the status quo, fight for equitable access, and be for the people. 

People. 

That’s what it really comes down to, isn’t it? 

Libraries ARE people. 

The hyperlinked library prioritizes service and people over materials. Looking forward to my future in the LIS field, I hope to be a librarian who wears her heart on her sleeve. I want to be an advocate for my community and eliminate any potential barriers a member of my community has when accessing the library. Our job as librarians is to make our patrons visible through our work. Patrons should have a voice in how the library serves them, and I want to listen and uplift their voices. 

 

@cayla

 

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References

Beloit Public Library. (2023, August 7). Free NARCAN® vending machine now available. https://beloitlibrary.org/free-narcan-vending-machine-now-available/ 

Buckland, M. K. (1997). Redesigning library services: A manifesto. American Library Association.

Casey, M., & Stephens, M. (2014). The Transparent Library. 

Las Vegas Clark County Library District. (2024, February 16). Library in a vending machine: A Novel approach to literacy in Las Vegas. Business Upturn. https://legacy.lvccld.org/media/coverage.cfm?cov=1721  

Manchester City Library. (2024). Circulation policies. https://www.manchester.lib.nh.us/Policies/Circulation-Policies 

Mars, A. (2013, April 26). Library service to the homeless. Public Libraries Online. https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2013/04/library-service-to-the-homeless/ 

Newmark, R. (2023, June 1). Personal care: Libraries distribute free hygiene kits. American Libraries Magazine. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2023/06/01/personal-care/ 

Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada. (2021, September 16). The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District partners with RTC to offer transit riders free access to eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, and movies [press release]. https://www.rtcsnv.com/news/the-las-vegas-clark-county-library-district-partners-with-rtc-to-offer-transit-riders-free-access-to-ebooks-audiobooks-magazines-movies/ 

Sifton, D. (2009). The last taboo: Abolishing library fines. Canadian Journal of Library and Information Practice and Research, 4(1), 1-5. https://journal.lib.uoguelph.ca/index.php/perj/article/view/935/1497 

Stephens, M. (2016). The heart of librarianship. American Librarian Association.