Serving Children with Disabilities in Libraries: A Beginner’s Guide

Where should I begin? This can sometimes be the most challenging part about developing library services to children with disabilities. In fact, the most common question I receive is about where to start. While there isn’t a one-stop-shop when it comes to expanding your knowledge in this area, I’m pleased to say that there is a plethora of resources out there that can help you on your journey to becoming an advocate for children with disabilities. Basically, what that means is that the first step is to learn. And you’re in luck–here are some of my favorite resources to help you do just that!

Books We are librarians, after all. So, read we must!

Assistive Technologies in the Library by Barbara T. Mates
Crash Course in Library Services to People with Disabilities by Ann G. Roberts
Improving Library Services to People with Disabilities by Courtney Deines-Jones
Including Families of Children with Special Needs: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians by Carrie Scott Banks
Library Services for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders by Lesley S.J. Farmer
Little Hands and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together by Kathy MacMillan
The New S ocial Story Book, Revised and Expanded by Carol Gray
The Out-of-Sync Child by Carol Stock Kranowitz
Programming for Children and Tweens with Autism Spectrum Disorder by Barbara Klipper

Articles Because sometimes you don’t have time to read an entire book.

Opening Access to Public Libraries for Children with Special Needs and their Families by Joanne Kaeding
Library Service to Special Population Children and their Caregivers: A Toolkit for Librarians
“Diversity & Disability: Let’s Start Talking About it” by Christyna Hunter. Public Libraries. (January/February, 2016).
“Special Needs Storytime, Separation & Accommodation” by Sara White. Public Libraries. (January/February, 2016).
“A Special Needs Approach: A Study of How Libraries Can Start Programs for Children with Disabilities” by Denice Adkins. Children and Libraries. (Fall, 2015).
“Making Makerspaces Work for Everyone” by Barbara Klipper. Children and Libraries. Fall, 2014.
Reaching Out: Library Services to the Developmentally Disabled” by Leslie Lea Nord. Public Libraries. (September/October, 2014).
“Technology in Children’s Programming: Apps for Children with Special Needs” by Melanie A Lyttle. Children and Libraries. (Summer, 2014).
Using American Sign Language in Storytime by Dana Horrocks. Jbrary Blog.
“Program Divers ity: Do Libraries Serv e Kids with Disabilities ?“ by Carly Okyle. School Library Journal. (May, 2014).
“Implementing Programs for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder” by Rebecca Cruz. Public Libraries. (April, 2014).