Inclusive Libraries Without Big Budgets
Attending PLA 2026 in Minneapolis was a transformative experience for me. I approached the conference with a focus on accessibility, disability inclusion, and programming that better serves the disability community. Every session I attended was meaningful, but two in particular shifted how I think about what is possible, especially when budgets and space feel like constant barriers.
Those sessions were Creating Inclusive Collections for Patrons with Disabilities and Sensory Adventures: Creating Inclusive Library Experiences on Any Budget.
The session on inclusive collections, presented by Maggie Fox and Janet Cox from Plano Public Library, along with Courtney Walker of ‘Libraries For All,’ completely reframed what I believed was achievable. My biggest takeaway was simple: meaningful change does not always require significant funding. The presenters shared how inclusive collections can be built with little to no budget through volunteer time, donated materials, and intentional community partnerships. Once their community understood the purpose and impact of the collection, support followed naturally.
What stayed with me most was how personal the impact became. The presenters shared the story of a nonverbal patron who had previously disengaged from non-inclusive materials and later became so connected to the collection that they assisted another nonverbal patron in reading and interacting with a book. That moment brought immediate faces to mind–children I work with who would flourish in those same environments. I couldn’t help but smile.
That session also reinforced something we already value deeply: creating experiences that allow people to feel seen. Inclusive collections benefit far more than just the originally intended audience. Children, adults with mobility limitations, individuals with low vision, and seniors all gain when accessibility is treated as a priority rather than an afterthought.
The second session, Sensory Adventures: Creating Inclusive Library Experiences on Any Budget, resonated with me on a very practical level. I had spent a lot of time thinking about sensory spaces in our branches and felt discouraged by the realities of limited space and funding. Dedicated sensory rooms or pods simply aren’t feasible for us, and I was close to giving up on the idea altogether.
Then I learned about sensory museums.
The simplicity of the concept felt revolutionary. Sensory museums are self-guided, pop-up-style collections of mini exhibits that invite exploration and support self-regulation. They don’t require registration or permanent space and can be created at a wide range of budget levels, including no cost at all. Kerri Copus and Beth Newman shared step-by-step guidance, creative station ideas, and real examples supported through partnerships and donations. Suddenly, an idea that once felt impossible felt entirely within reach.
Because of what I learned in these sessions, I was able, for the first time, to confidently bring a proposal to our leadership team. Framing the sensory museum as a no-cost, pop-up experience made the conversation feel productive instead of restrictive. I felt that I wasn’t pitching an idea anymore, rather, I was sharing a proven approach.
I am incredibly grateful to the Public Library Association for the opportunity to attend PLA 2026 through its scholarship program. This experience expanded my thinking, strengthened my confidence, and reaffirmed why inclusive access matters so deeply. I left inspired, empowered, and thankful for the knowledge shared, the connections made, and the opportunity to bring these ideas back to my community.
Tags: pla2026scholarship
