Did You Know: 8 Ways The Library is Accessible for All

Rachel
Jul 18
8 min read

Updated: Oct 8

The entrance to the Vespasian Warner Public Library, a brick building with a red roof and large trees in the foreground. A sunny day with shadows on the road. Peaceful and serene setting.

Throughout the library, you'll notice several purposeful accommodations designed so that every single person can enjoy and use the library. Although these accommodations are created with specific groups in mind, they benefit everyone who enters the library. Here are 8 ways the library is accessible for all.

#1 Building Accessibility

Library shopping cart with books like "Jell-O Girls" and "Feeding Ghosts" in an aisle lined with bookshelves. Soft lighting creates a calm vibe.

One of the first things you might notice is the building itself. It features a ground floor entrance with automatic doors, ensuring accessibility for everyone. Upon entering, you can take the elevator in the lobby to access all three floors of the library. Updated signs will guide you to the right area based on your needs. For those who require frequent breaks, seating areas are available throughout the building. With 36 inches of clearance between furnishings, the library is fully accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. If you can't carry all the items you wish to check out, visit the circulation desk to pick up a small shopping cart, generously donated by the employees of the First National Bank, to hold all your selections.

The library is always looking for feedback on how we can improve our accessibility. One of our major upcoming projects came out of one of those conversations. In the coming months, significant changes will be made to our parking lot and sidewalk. While we would love to be able to turn the building and make the entrance face the parking lot, that is not an option. Instead we will be adding a third accessible parking spot in our parking lot. Each of these spots will feature a new ramp for a smooth transition from the parking area to the sidewalk. Additionally, the sidewalk leading from the parking lot to the main entrance will be renovated to ensure an even surface all the way to the door. A handrail will also be installed for added stability for those who need it. We are excited about these improvements and look forward to making our library more accessible to all community members.

Red brick building with large windows and red roof, surrounded by green trees and bushes. Red lines laying out where the new handrail will be from the parking lot to the front entrance. — Proposed new handrail that will extend from the parking lot to the front entrance.

Parking lot with a truck and a car beside a brick building. Handicap spot outlined. Red text indicates adjustments to parking signs and striping. — Proposed new ramps, signage, and striping for the 3 accessible parking spots.

#2 Home-Bound Delivery

Madisyn in a pink hoodie carrying "Brake for Books" bags exits through a library door. Bright exit sign above, wooden door, indoor setting. — Madisyn Headed Out for Delivery

If you are unable to visit the library due to physical limitations, you can enroll in the free Home-Bound Delivery service if you reside within the library district.

Madisyn, our Home-Bound Coordinator, delivers items to patrons' homes and Liberty Village in town every Wednesday. To begin this service, simply call Madisyn, who will ask you a few questions to tailor the selections she will bring to you. She will choose books, movies, or other library materials that may interest you, check them out on your behalf, and deliver them to your door. Every two weeks, she will return to drop off new items and collect any that need to be returned to the library. While this service can be ongoing, it is also available temporarily if you are unable to visit the library for a few weeks or months due to illness, treatments, or recovery from surgery. For more details about our Home-Bound Delivery Program, please visit our Home-Bound Delivery Page on our website, or call the library at 217-935-5174.

#3 Curbside Services

Curbside service is available to all. Have kids in the car and prefer not to unbuckle the car seats and get the stroller out? Unable to physically enter the library? You can either call ahead or email us at library@vwarner.org to inform us of the items you want to borrow. We will gather them, check them out for you, and bring them to your car upon your arrival. Need to send a fax, make a copy, or get a document notarized? These services are also available via curbside. Simply call us when you arrive, and someone will assist you. It's recommended to call ahead to ensure a notary is on duty. We strive to have a notary available at all times, but due to vacations, lunch breaks, or illness, this may not always be possible. For further details on curbside services, please visit our Curbside Service Page on our website, or call the library at 217-935-5174.

#4 Low-Vision Items

Stack of large type books on a shelf with one open above them. Titles include "Us Against You," "The Little Lost Library," and others.

The library provides various resources for patrons with low vision. Inside the building, we have Large Type books with font sizes ranging from 16 to 18 points, compared to the standard print books with font sizes of 10 to 12 points. We offer a wide selection of Large Type books, including both fiction and nonfiction. These books are conveniently located on the main floor near the circulation desk. Can't find what you're looking for? Feel free to ask a staff member for assistance! Items can also be accessed through our inter-library loan system to cater to your preferences.

The library also provides multiple ways to access E-books that can be viewed on a phone, tablet, or computer. With Libby, hoopla, and cloudLibrary, you can check out a variety of books in e-book format, allowing you to adjust the font size on your device for easier reading.

Audiobooks are available in the library on CD for a two-week checkout period. Libby, hoopla, and cloudLibrary also offer audiobooks at the touch of a button, providing a wonderful way to enjoy stories without needing to open a physical book.

For additional details on E-Books and digital audiobooks, visit our Library eResources Page on our website, call us at 217-935-5174, or drop by and see us!

For our youngest patrons, we have Wonderbooks. These special books read the story to you as you turn the pages. Wonderbooks can be found on the children's floor.

#5 Hearing Accessibility

The library is implementing several changes to accommodate those with hearing accessibility needs. Staff are in the process of adding transcripts to all podcasts, allowing you to read the content instead of, or while, listening. All YouTube videos will have closed captioning added, ensuring they can be enjoyed by everyone. Additionally, the Friends of the Library are hosting an ASL Club for those interested in learning or practicing American Sign Language, meeting every Monday in July. For more details and registration, visit the Upcoming Events Page on our website. To learn more about the library podcast, visit our Spotify Page. Head over to our YouTube Page to explore local history and get a glimpse inside the library archives.

#6 Website Accessibility

One of the major accessibility initiatives at the library is ensuring our website adheres to all American Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. Although this is a lengthy process, ADA compliance enhances the usability of our website for every visitor.

The primary focus areas for staff include ensuring proper color contrast and font size, providing named buttons and clear links that indicate their destinations, using heading tags, and including alt text for all images. Why are these elements important?

Proper color contrast benefits everyone. High contrast improves text readability, reduces eye strain, and enhances the overall user experience. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with color blindness or low vision. The appropriate font size significantly affects the readability and usability of text for all users.

Clear buttons and hyperlinks with defined destinations are also crucial. Descriptive, straightforward, and easy-to-navigate buttons and links help all users access and comprehend content effectively. Our buttons will no longer use vague labels like "click here" or "let's go." Instead, they will feature more descriptive labels such as "Register for Dance Party on 7/2," eliminating any confusion about their function. This is especially important for patrons using screen readers.

Proper heading tags will assist those using screen readers in navigating our website more efficiently. Headings and subheadings on our webpages will help everyone understand the page's structure and facilitate efficient navigation by providing a clear content outline, allowing users to scan and jump to relevant sections.

Alt text on images is another vital accessibility component. Alt text provides a text description of an image, conveying its meaning to users with low vision. Without alt text, these users would be unable to grasp the content and purpose of the images.

Over the next six months, you may notice these subtle changes to the website, which will make a significant difference for all of us. This in-depth process involves reviewing every webpage, link, image, and header on our site and will take some time to complete. However, it will be worthwhile in the end!

Our website, found at vwarner.org, provides details on available services, program registration, operating hours, library eResources, archives, local history, and the DeWitt County Genealogical Society.

#7 Books for All Ability Levels

Offering materials for all ability levels is crucial to ensure that individuals who learn differently have equal opportunities to succeed. Besides our usual collection of books for all ages, from babies to adults, the library has recently started acquiring high-low, or quick read, books thanks to the Friends of the Warner Library. This collection features short, easy, and engaging reads suitable for youth, teens, and adults. It serves as an excellent resource for those with limited time, difficulty concentrating, learning English as a second language, new readers, or anyone facing reading challenges. Quick Read books are available on the children's floor, in the teen lounge on the main floor, and at the end of the large type adult section.

#8 Everyone Has a Story to be Told

At the library, we believe everyone has a story, and it should be reflected in the materials we offer. In line with this belief, the library intentionally acquires books and resources that highlight the stories of individuals with various ability levels. This is crucial as it helps people with disabilities feel less isolated and affirms the significance of their lives and stories. For the non-disabled, engaging with stories, films, and programs featuring individuals with disabilities enhances awareness of their daily experiences and fosters understanding of the similarities and differences in the challenges they face. Here are some of the many stories in the library that staff cherish.

Recommendations for Children

Stack of books on a wooden windowsill with greenery outside. Titles include "Give Me a Sign," "Turtles All the Way Down," and more.

Not So Different by Shane Burcaw

(Children's - Picture Book)

A Little Like Magic by Sarah Kurpiel

(Children's - Picture Book)

Home in a Lunchbox by Cherry Mo

(Children's - Picture Book)

Monster Hands by Karen Kane

(Children's - Picture Book)

Best Day Ever by Marilyn Singer

(Children's - Picture Book)

A to Z Animal Mysteries: Bats in the Castle by Kayla Whaley

(Children's - Fiction)

Paws, Mindy Makes Some Space by Michele Assarasakorn

(Children's - Graphic Novel)

Recommendations for Teens

The Disability Experience by Nannalora Leavitt

(Young Adult - Non-fiction)

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

(Young Adult - Fiction)

Where You See Yourself by Claire Forrest

(Young Adult - Fiction)

Reggie and Delilah's Year of Falling by Elise Bryant

(Young Adult - Fiction)

Give Me a Sign by Anna Sortino

(Young Adult - Fiction)

Recommendations for Adults

A stack of books on a wooden windowsill with titles like "The Story of My Life" and "Not So Different," sunlight filtering through blinds.

The Sound of Metal (Blu-ray - Drama)

It's A Wonderful Life (DVD - Holiday)

The Guild (DVD - TV-Comedy)

X-men (DVD Action)

Daredevil (Blu-ray - TV-Action)

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

(Adult - Historical Fiction)

The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver (Adult - Mystery)

The Drawing of the Three by Stephen King (Adult - Fantasy)

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (Adult - Fiction)

FDR by Jean Edward Smith (Adult - Non-Fiction)

Haben by Haben Girma (Adult - Non-Fiction)

The Boys of Riverside by Thomas Fuller (Adult - Non-Fiction)

The Story of My Life by Helen Keller (Adult - Non-Fiction)

Hawkeye by Matt Fraction (Adult - Graphic Novel)

Daredevil by Charles Soule (Adult - Graphic Novel)

Bonus!

#9 Library Staff

Our library staff is always available to assist you. We firmly believe that library resources and books should be accessible to everyone. We are continually striving to enhance our services and make our library and collections more accessible. Please feel free to contact us in person, by phone, or via e-mail at library@vwarner.org if there is anything we can improve! We welcome your feedback and will do our utmost to ensure your library experience is the best possible.

Until Next Time Library Friends!

The Vespasian Warner Library is located at

310 N. Quincy St. in Clinton, IL 61727.

by email library@vwarner.org,

or drop in and say hello!