Centre for Equitable Library Access…
CELA continues to offer books, magazines and newspapers in accessible reading formats to libraries and to library patrons with print disabilities during the pandemic. CELA staff have heard from users how important reading is as a comfort and form of connection during these stressful and isolating times.
Over the past few months, they have made improvements to their website to make it easier for users to find and access books, including adding search preferences, and a page describing how CELA patrons may choose to add designates to their accounts; a designate is a person, often a family member or close friend, the CELA patron has given permission to access their account to support them in finding and accessing books.
As libraries are working hard to offer online activities and services for their patrons, CELA staff wish to remind you to make your virtual programming accessible by including features such as closed captioning and transcriptions into your videos. CELA has offered some tips and resources for libraries on the Summer Reading Clubs for Kids page. Speaking of kids and summer reading, you will find more suggestions for great books and alternate formats on the CELA Kids and Teens page.
You can learn more about CELA services available to your patrons with print disabilities and find out about upcoming professional development webinars on the For Libraries page. For questions, please contact CELA Member Services, 1-855-655-2273 ext. 2 or e-mail.