Progress and Challenges Providing Services
Interface Volume 27 Number 3, Fall, 2005. Interface is the quarterly newsletter published by the ASCLA division of the ALA. This message from Diana Paque, current president of ASCLA, reminds us that we are providing services to all but our challenge is to provide equitable service to all library patrons.
Volume 27, Number 3, Fall 2005
President's Message: Progress and Challenges in Providing Equitable Services
It has always bothered me that some people have been able to use library services totally anonymously while others have had
to come forward and reveal their challenges in order for us to provide them the services they need. At my university, all
disability services are housed in a suite on the third floor, staffed by a single person. If someone has a physical or
learning disability, they need to find this service in order to be accommodated or to receive access to specialized equipment
and academic support services. Accommodation for library services has not been anonymous, and individuals who want to use
alternative methods for accessing our information services must identify their needs for us to be able to serve them. While
the Americans with Disabilities Act has encouraged development of specialized services, we are a long way from having totally
integrated accessibility to our library collections and services.
July 26, 2005 marked the 15th anniversary of the passage of ADA. This landmark legislation established a legally recognized
standard and terminology for describing and addressing accessibility needs. As a result, civil rights were formally extended
to people with disabilities, and organizations were put on notice that they were required to provide equitable access to all
people they serve.
As a profession, we embrace the underlying values of diversity and of equity of service to all. As we attempt to meet the
needs of our diverse publics, we are challenged to serve people with a variety of needs and skills, ranging from diverse
reading capacity, information literacy, and computer literacy to physical and mental challenges.
ASCLA as an organization is a leader in promoting quality services for all and for developing standards for quality service
delivery. Thanks to our ALA Councilor Cindy Roach, the ALA Council unanimously adopted a resolution establishing March 13
to April 15 as National Deaf History Month. This resolution urges President Bush to declare these dates to be National Deaf
History Month and “to call upon public officials, educators, and librarians to celebrate with programs and activities to
highlight and honor the many contributions of the deaf community to American society.”
Over the past 15 years, library services have moved rapidly from traditional hard-copy services to also include a wide
variety of Web-based and visual formats. Each of these individual services creates their own challenges for being equitably
provided and accessible to our users. In this issue, Barbara Mates’ article clearly explains issues surrounding service
delivery; Marilyn Irwin provides information about the accessibility standards found in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation
Act; and Mimi McCain describes how the Special Needs Center at the Phoenix Public Library addresses equal access.
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Progress and Challenges Providing Services