Library Programming for Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Klipper (a retired librarian who advocates for library accessibility) and Banks (the head of Brooklyn Public Library’s Inclusive Services) offer a guide to fostering a library culture that is inclusive of adults with developmental disabilities. They discuss examples of institutional ableism in libraries, such as fixed loan periods and high service desks, and offer suggestions including providing sensory kits and purchasing materials in a variety of formats. This well-organized and to-the-point volume includes chapters on determining programming needs, working with stakeholders, and collaborating across departments. Klipper and Banks suggest incorporating sensory-friendly spaces and assessing floor plans that may be ADA-compliant but are partially inaccessible to users with mobility issues or strollers. The book includes an impressive collection of programming suggestions that have worked for other libraries—writing workshops, book clubs, and programs related to arts and crafts, performing arts, and social connection and wellness, as well as virtual programs. The book also emphasizes the need to involve the community and self-advocates.