Serving Users with Special Needs

Definition

For the purposes of this policy, special populations refer to people of all ages who have difficult, limited, or minimized use of the library. This includes, but is not limited to, persons who live in foster care, nursing homes, detention facilities, or who are displaced; people with disabilities; those for whom English is a second language; people with limited literacy or information skills; people who are living in poverty or are homeless; and people in under-served areas or with diverse backgrounds.

Purpose

Hartland Public Library strives to assure convenient and equal access to knowledge and information resources for all its patrons through its own resources and those of Bridges Library System.

Responsibility

Although responsibility for administration of the library falls with the Director, coordination of efforts in the area of special needs may be assigned to one or more library staff members. In addition, all staff is invested in the needs of these special groups and services offered.

Identification

Services

The following are examples of special service which may be offered:

Home-bound delivery.
Access to services available through Bridges Library System.
Access to services available through Waukesha County.
Access to services available through the Wisconsin Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
Special Materials and Devices

The following are examples of special materials and devices which may be made available:

A library structure in full accordance with ADA requirements, providing access to special needs patrons.
Large Print book collection.
Audio Book collection.
Talking Books through the Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library.
Magnification or amplification devices.

Adopted 7/97; revised 12/16