Community Library Builds on Accessibility

By Dan Guetre

A small grant from the Manitoba Accessibility Fund (MAF) is going a long way for the Jolys Regional Library (JRL) to continue their goal of making the library more accessible to anyone using their services.

The MAF was created with the purpose of aiding organizations in implementing the essential changes needed to enhance accessibility in their services, ultimately improving the quality of life for all Manitobans and enabling full participation within their communities.

With almost $8,600 from MAF, the library is going to make the library a bit more friendly for those diagnosed with Dyslexia by adding a new collection.

“The new collection would include ‘Dyslexic Friendly Font’ books for all ages in both official languages,” explained head librarian, Nicole Gauthier. “Additionally we would further develop our ‘Large Print’ collection, by focusing on enlarging our French language collection.”

In the past, the library has purchased Accessible Reading Devises to supports its community members with various print disabilities.

With a large part of the community being francophone, Gauthier notes that while the Public Library Services Branch (PLSB) supports Manitoba libraries by providing Large Print Supplemental blocks every 4 months, this does not include French Large Print.

Gauthier also plans to have the library reach out to local groups and organizations to with a campaign to make the greater community aware of the barriers affecting Print Disabilities.

Print Disabilities can be anything from a learning disability, physical disability or even a visual disability.

Gauthier explained that the library recognized the need to address the issue of inequality when it comes to the services they provide.

“We are very attuned to our patrons and we have learned that there are many parents struggling to get their children interested in reading due to a some form of print disability,” she explained. “Additionally, the JRL is in a shared space with Ecole Heritage School (Red River Valley School Division) and due to this close working relationship we see the increased need of Dyslexic friendly font within our shared collections.”

Change will not happen overnight, but Gauthier is hoping to getting the resources in as soon as possible.

“At this point we are in the research phase,” she noted. “Looking at different publishers to see what resources we can add to the collection, while ensuring that the books meet the library’s purchasing standards and collection development needs.”

She explained that the next phase will be to procure and process the new collections and hopes to have the project completed by March 2024.

The library has been successful with finding the funds for previous projects.

“[Also] in 2023 JRL was awarded $25,000 from the Arts, Culture and Sports in Community Fund (first intake) to install a new Circulation Desk to meet the standards of the Accessibility for Manitobans Act,” she elaborated. “The new circulation desk was designed to ensure we can meet all our patrons’ needs, including wheel chair accessibility.”

This project should be completed by this fall.

“We are patiently awaiting the results of our 2023 request (second intake) to see if we will be awarded through this funding again,” she added. “Our second request focused on replacing the soft seating to meet the standards of the Accessibility for Manitobans Act.”

She admitted to being a bit biased, but she believes that libraries are some of the most important learning centers and gathering places in our communities.

“Their importance to people’s well-being and their ability to learn and expand their knowledge cannot be underestimated,” she said. “There’s magic and history within their walls; a place to gather, and places to learn.”

By not only supporting and empowering individuals and families with lower literacy skills, but also providing infrastructure for those who want to learn, libraries connect people from all walks of life, every day she added.

Gauthier’s ultimate goal is to create a safe and inclusive community gathering space. Accessibility places a major role.

“Accessibility refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments which enables all people to participate fully in society without barriers,” said Gauthier. “Accessibility also entails the identification and removal of barriers, be they physical, technological, procedural, attitudinal, or environmental, which inhibit peoples’ participation in activities or in daily life.”

Gauthier is working with both CELA and NNELS to move forward in this recent project. CELA has resources available to serve people with print disabilities, including material produced with Dyslexic friendly fonts.