Journal Article: “Academic Librarians with Disabilities: A Literature Review”
The journal article linked below (full text) was recently published by The Southeastern Librarian.
Title
Academic Librarians with Disabilities: A Literature Review
Authors
Bridgette L. Whitt
University of Tennessee at Martin
Source
Abstract
Libraries’ discussion of disabilities is normally focused on the patrons who are served and not the employees who work within the walls of the institution. The population of adults with disabilities in the United States is growing, and the current research results show that the number of librarians who identify as having disabilities is not close to equally representing the population in the profession. This paper reviews the literature written about academic librarians with disabilities and investigates the issues that are being faced by those librarians with disabilities and the hindrances that are keeping that representation level reduced in the profession. The most common difficulties faced are issues with how library ser-vices are traditionally provided, disclosure, accommodation, stigma, and the treatment of disabilities by colleagues. This paper also discusses the changes needed in the profession to address the needs of librarians with disabilities.
Direct to Full Text Article
7 pages; PDF.
Filed under: Journal Articles, Libraries, News, Patrons and Users
About Gary Price
Gary Price (gprice@gmail.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area. He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com.