Public libraries strive to serve their communities in any way they can. Of course, this includes community members with different accessibility needs, such as senior citizens who may have difficulty accessing the library’s resources as easily as they could in their youth.
Fortunately, Georgia public libraries have devised creative ways to address the accessibility challenges of their local seniors.
Barriers to Library Access for Seniors
Many people may not realize the accessibility challenges older library patrons encounter. The two most common barriers? Physically getting to the library and having difficulty using library resources.
Getting to the library in old age may no longer be as simple as grabbing your keys and hopping in the car. Whether due to declining vision, reflexes, or motor control, some senior citizens lose the ability to drive themselves places. This means that many would-be library patrons can’t visit as often as they’d like or may not be able to visit at all if they don’t have transportation.
Even if an older adult can make it to the library, they might not be able to get the most out of the library’s resources once they’re there. Declining vision is once again an issue here, as some seniors have issues like poor short-range vision or cataracts that make it difficult to read standard-print text. While most libraries offer large-print books, screen readers, ebooks, and digital devices with adjustable font sizes, some seniors might have trouble figuring out how they work.
How Georgia Libraries Address These Challenges
Everyone deserves access to literature, digital resources, and programs that’ll capture their interest and allow them to expand their horizons. Librarians, understanding the unique needs of their senior population, find fun and interesting ways to make library services a more consistent part of their lives.
One of the best ways to overcome accessibility issues is to bring library resources directly to senior citizens. Libraries throughout Georgia, like Forsyth County Public Library, have launched outreach programs in which staff members visit senior centers and assisted living facilities. They bring a variety of books and lead engaging activities, giving seniors a chance to socialize while accessing all of the library’s resources in a convenient location. Library staff are sure to include large-print books, audiobooks, and even braille print for those with visual impairments, so any and all seniors who are interested can get lost in a good book.
If you’d like to learn more about what Georgia libraries offer older adults with accessibility challenges, check out your local library’s website today!