Laskin, Kodi. Serving Patrons with Disabilities: Perspectives and Insights from People with Disabilities. Addl. Creators Leah Keevan, Jackie Kruzie, Katherine Schneider, Cecilia James, and Alex Kerr. ALA Editions, 02/2023. 79pp. Professional. Paper $39.99. 978-0-8389-3731-0. GRADES Adult–Adult. OUTSTANDING.
Serving Patrons with Disabilities looks at six types of disabilities, with each chapter written by a library staffer from their personal experience. Topics include service animals, mobility aids, speech assistive technology, blindness and low vision, deaf and hard of hearing, and learning differences. Each chapter begins with a narrative describing the author’s experiences and challenges in various public settings, including libraries, followed by steps that library staff can take to be more accommodating. Actions can be simple things that any staff member can do, such as giving full attention to the patron, or being patient while a communication device is used. Other responses would require more time and money, like having appropriate adaptive technology available, or are more facility-based issues like accessibly wide aisles and reachable shelves. The text doesn’t mention the authors’ racial identities. A useful and informative title which is easy to read through, understand, digest, and to refer to as needed.
Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library