FREEDOM OF INFO
ADDRESSING THE BARRIERS THAT NEED TO BE REMOVED TO DELIVER FREEDOM OF ACCESS TO INFORMATION EQUITABLY
“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers” (Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) Article 19).
When librarians talk about our role in protecting these freedoms, we talk about the things we do inside our organisations. We resist attempts at censorship. We promote information literacy and protect the privacy of our users.
What about the people who never make it inside our doors or onto our online services, or who we
AFFORDABILITY
Are there fines or other charges that stop me using it?
Do I need to pay a membership or pay to borrow books?
Do I need proof of address or forms of ID I can’t afford?
ACCESSIBILITY
Can I get to a library by public transport or walking?
Is it designed for universal access (for physical and mental differences)?
Is it open on days and at times when can get there?
Can I understand and navigate the library’s policies?
Am I able to leave my house?
Is there enough space or desks or computers for everyone trying to use it?
I
Are the online sites accessible? don’t reach through outreach services? Or who struggle to use libraries when they try?
Why are they not using libraries? Is it because of the barrier’s libraries have put in place that prevent them or put them off? How do we remove those barriers so everyone can access information and ideas freely?
There are many issues that we may need to address to strive for equitable access to information. These are some of them.
INCLUSIVITY
Do the physical and online spaces reflect who I am and that I am welcome?
Do I know that the service is available and what the range of services is?
Does the arrangement and curation of content make sense to me with my worldview and perspective?
Are there resources in my first language?
Do I feel safe in the space?
Are people like me reflected in the staff?
Do events cater for my different needs?
LITERACY
Do I have the literacy skills needed to navigate the library?
Do I have the digital skills to access what is available?
Do I have the information literacy skills to find up-todate and factual information?
Is the layout intuitive or does it rely on signage?
While we cannot address everything at once there are some principles all libraries can apply in any service or space design, and in evaluating existing spaces, programmes, and services.
Apply universal design principles: Universal design (UD) means that rather than designing your facility and services for the average user, you design them for people with a broad range of abilities, disabilities, and other characteristics—such as age, reading ability, learning style, language, culture, and others.
Understand who is in your community and listen to their needs and aspirations to prioritise your steps of change.
RESOURCES
LESNESKI, Traci Engel (2018) Welcome to All: Design’s Role in Creating an Inclusive, Safe, and Beloved Community Destination. Paper presented at: IFLA WLIC 2018 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Transform Libraries, Transform Societies in Session 114 - Metropolitan Libraries.
FREEMAN, Mark (2018) Universal Design in UK Libraries: Best practice in British public libraries. Paper presented at: IFLA WLIC 2018 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Transform Libraries, Transform Societies in Session 94 - Library Service to People with Special Needs, Public Libraries and Library Services to Persons with Print Disabilities.
Universal design for libraries
Fines as a barrier
https://www.washington.edu/doit/equal-access-universal-designlibraries
https://finefreeaotearoa.org.nz/
Ask people who don’t use libraries why they do not.
Train staff in recognising and responding to diversity.
Evaluate everything you do by applying different lenses and viewpoints.
Be aware of and apply diversity principles of your broader organisation.
Apply inclusive language in your signage, forms, online spaces, documents, and events.