Expanding Access Through Inclusive Collections
Receiving a scholarship to attend PLA 2026 in Minneapolis gave me the opportunity to learn from innovative libraries and inspiring information professionals. One session in particular, “Creating Inclusive Collections for Patrons with Disabilities,” presented by Plano Public Library and Libraries for All LLC, reinforced a simple but urgent idea: if members of our community cannot meaningfully use our materials, we are not fully meeting our mission.
Access is about more than having a collection. It is about ensuring that everyone can engage with and benefit from it.
The session highlighted how people with disabilities are often underserved by traditional library collections. While many libraries offer large print, braille, and other accessible formats, these resources do not address the full range of patron needs. Some readers may have physical disabilities that make turning pages difficult. Others may benefit from visual supports, tactile elements, or alternative ways of interacting with a text. Without intentional efforts to address these needs, some community members may remain excluded from library services.
Before attending the session, my understanding of accessibility largely centered on traditional formats such as large print and braille. Learning about adaptive books expanded that perspective. Adaptive books may include page extenders, symbol-supported text, tactile features, or other modifications that support engagement and independence.
What struck me most was that these adaptations do not need to be expensive or highly technical. With thoughtful planning and creativity, libraries can create materials that make reading more accessible for patrons who have historically been overlooked.
The presenters also emphasized that building inclusive collections extends beyond the materials themselves. Libraries must actively connect with the communities they hope to serve. Partnering with local organizations, caregivers, educators, and individuals with disabilities helps ensure collections reflect real needs while also increasing awareness of available resources.
True access requires more than availability. It requires visibility, trust, and a sense of belonging.
One practical strategy shared during the session was hosting volunteer workshops to create adaptive materials. These workshops can include both simple preparation tasks, such as cutting and assembling components, and more detailed adaptation work. This structure allows volunteers with different skill levels to contribute while helping libraries sustain long-term accessibility initiatives. At the same time, the workshops raise awareness about disability inclusion and strengthen community connections.
Although the session focused primarily on picture books, the presenters noted that nearly any type of book can be adapted. This idea resonated with me and my colleagues, and we have already begun exploring ways to adapt graphic novels and early readers within our own collection. Expanding beyond picture books is an important step toward ensuring that readers of all ages and interests have access to materials that meet their needs.
The session also challenged me to think differently about literacy itself. For some patrons, literacy may involve interacting with symbols, tactile elements, supported text, or other alternative formats rather than traditional reading experiences. Embracing a broader definition of literacy allows libraries to better serve diverse learning styles, abilities, and pathways to learning.
I am grateful to PLA for awarding me a scholarship and to the presenters who generously shared their expertise and passion throughout the conference. This experience broadened my understanding of how libraries can foster belonging, creativity, and meaningful access for all members of their communities.
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