Opening access to public libraries for children with special needs and their families.
Would you like to help with my research ??
My PhD research is an area of knowledge and discovery that has not previously been explored, the topic of access to public libraries for children with special needs and their families. Previous research in this area has primarily focussed on public library access issues for adults with disabilities. This dissertation will advance knowledge in a completely new area, access for children with special needs and their families. The research will build a foundation of knowledge that will lead to greater awareness and understanding of this topic for the library and information science field. Knowledge and understanding of the topic will be significant in its unearthing of an issue that has largely been invisible or overlooked, by both researchers and practitioners.
The aims for this research project are:
· Identify the barriers to public libraries addressing the issue of access for this group of the community.
· Gain an understanding from the perspective of both the families and the public library staff of the barriers that children with special needs and their families face when accessing public libraries.
· Find out from families of children with special needs about their experiences with public libraries and what they perceive their needs to be in relation to public library services.
· Identify issues public library staff face in delivering a more inclusive service to children with special needs and their families.
· Identify a range of strategies and approaches for public libraries to improve their access and service for children with special needs and their families.
In order to investigate the issue of access to public libraries for children with special needs and their families, from the perspectives of both the families and also the public librarian this research will comprise of three interrelated studies. The first study will be public librarians with experience in the area of access to public libraries for children with special needs and their families. The second study will be with public librarians with no experience in this area. The final study will be with families of children with special needs. Each of these studies will use a mixed method of both qualitative and quantitative approach and the research tools employed will be a one-on-one semi-structured interview, an online questionnaire or a focus group interview.
If you are interested in this topic and would like to help with the research by participating in the study that would be fantastic. I need 400 Librarians, preferrably from different libraries to be involved. The research has received ethics approval through the University and South Australia. All particpants are required to read an Information Sheet and complete and return the attached consent form.
If you would like to complete a survey for me please contact me on the following details:
Jo Kaeding
PhD student, School of Information Technology & Mathematical Sciences
University of South Australia
Email: [email protected]
The aims for this research project are:
· Identify the barriers to public libraries addressing the issue of access for this group of the community.
· Gain an understanding from the perspective of both the families and the public library staff of the barriers that children with special needs and their families face when accessing public libraries.
· Find out from families of children with special needs about their experiences with public libraries and what they perceive their needs to be in relation to public library services.
· Identify issues public library staff face in delivering a more inclusive service to children with special needs and their families.
· Identify a range of strategies and approaches for public libraries to improve their access and service for children with special needs and their families.
In order to investigate the issue of access to public libraries for children with special needs and their families, from the perspectives of both the families and also the public librarian this research will comprise of three interrelated studies. The first study will be public librarians with experience in the area of access to public libraries for children with special needs and their families. The second study will be with public librarians with no experience in this area. The final study will be with families of children with special needs. Each of these studies will use a mixed method of both qualitative and quantitative approach and the research tools employed will be a one-on-one semi-structured interview, an online questionnaire or a focus group interview.
If you are interested in this topic and would like to help with the research by participating in the study that would be fantastic. I need 400 Librarians, preferrably from different libraries to be involved. The research has received ethics approval through the University and South Australia. All particpants are required to read an Information Sheet and complete and return the attached consent form.
If you would like to complete a survey for me please contact me on the following details:
Jo Kaeding
PhD student, School of Information Technology & Mathematical Sciences
University of South Australia
Email: [email protected]