How Well Libraries Meet the Needs of Users with Physical Disabilities : A case study about accessibility at two Swedish public libraries

This paper explores the accessibility for patrons with different physical disabilities in regards to materials, service, the library building and its website at two typical, medium-sized public libraries in Sweden. The case study is based on interviews, observations, and document and literature studies. As a theoretical framework for this study, Buckland’s model of information barriers is used to describe, discuss and evaluate how the two libraries work with accessibility. In addition, international and national guidelines are used to measure whether additional actions are required of the libraries to improve the accessibility. The results show that both libraries are well suited in various respects to provide for the different needs and the requirements of patrons with physical disabilities. Some obstacles still exist in both libraries, especially in the lack of literature in accessible formats in different languages. It is unclear whether the barriers that still exist in both libraries are reflections of the patrons’ needs and demands, or lack thereof