It is worth noting that library needs for people with disabilities ought to be given utmost priority during the process of planning and designing of the facility.
In addition, library planners should take into consideration the dynamism and changing needs of users who are disabled bearing in mind that this class of library patrons is diverse. This paper offers a succinct critique of an essay written by student A entitled Library Action Plan for Serving Deaf or Hearing Impaired Patrons.
The essay has been compiled as a PowerPoint presentation with a title page followed by the purpose. The author of the essay aims at developing an action plan that can be put in place in order to improve the current library facilities although the particular library is not mentioned.
In a summary form, the prevailing state of the library has been highlighted alongside what can be done in order to make it compliant with the needs of patrons who have impaired hearing (Riley, 2009). For instance, the writer of the essay suggests that in terms of facility planning, it is vital for the library to invest in wiring its facilities with audio induction loop.
Another important action plan recommended by the writer of the essay is that the management of the library should work towards acquiring relevant sound equipment to be used by these patrons. Finally, the writer suggests that it would be necessary to improve on service delivery at the library such as making use of interpreters to facilitate transfer of information to the deaf or those with impaired hearing.
To begin with, it is imperative to mention that the writer has indeed attempted to cover some of the most integral action plans that could be taken in order to improve library facilities for people with impaired hearing or those who are deaf. However, there are a few points worth noting from the essay.
First of all, the presentation has failed to offer a holistic solution to people with disabilities in general who frequent libraries. The focus has been laid on audio disability and ignoring the rest. A comprehensive library facility should be established with the needs of all disabled persons in mind (Birch, 1993).
Secondly, such a discussion would also require a specific library in focus in terms of the current facilities and what ought to be improved (Strategic Networks Group, 2011). Although the specific action plans given are sound and practical, there is no mention of where these action plans could be implemented (Green & Blair, 2011).
In terms of organization, it would be advisable if the individual action plans could be presented in their own slides. The writer has combined the major concern being discussed in the essay with the action plans. Such kind of essay organization tends to disrupt the reader due to lack of smooth flow from one idea to another (Hamby, 2007).
Furthermore, the writing mechanics as well as how the essay has been presented may not appeal to the reader. For instance, some slides have been crowded with words while others are not well positioned with accompanying graphics.
The ideas presented in the essay are indeed workable if the target audiences for the library facility are people with impaired hearing (Joint, 2005). However, it is common knowledge that any public library may be frequented by any other user and hence the need to formulate a thorough action plan that takes care of the needs of all types of disabled people (Damer, 2005).
To recap it all, it is imperative to reiterate that the writer of the essay is indeed shrewd enough both in terms of research skills and analysis of the case at hand. Nonetheless, some of the weaknesses depicted in the essay ought to be addressed.
References
Birch, A. (1993). Essay Writing Made Easy: Presenting Ideas in All Subject Areas. Ontario: Pembroke Publishers.
Damer, T. E. (2005). Attacking Faulty Reasoning (6th ed.). New York: Wadsworth.
Green, R., & Blair, V. (2011). Keep it simple: A guide to assistive technologies. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited.
Hamby, B.W. (2007). The Philosophy of Anything: Critical Thinking in Context. Dubuque Iowa: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.
Joint, N. (2005). Disability Issues And Libraries: A Scottish Perspective. Library review 54(8): 449-475.
Riley, C. (2009). Training for Library Patrons Who Are Hard of Hearing. Journal Of Access Services, 6(1/2): 72-97.
Strategic Networks Group (2011). Creating an action plan for broadband utilization.