Powell River Public Library continues to expand accessibility

Libraries across Canada continue to be on the forefront of expanding the definition of what it means to be a public lending  resource.

For a while now, libraries have been evolving from being strictly silent spaces and acting as gatekeepers of knowledge, into welcoming community hubs for people who still want to learn and check-out materials, but also meet with others, or even play a game of Mahjong. 

Now, Powell River Public Library (PRPL) is moving full speed ahead, improving its accessibility resources and spaces for those who are differently abled, as part of the BC government's 2021 Accessible British Columbia Act. The act requires public-serving organizations to remove barriers for people living with physical disabilities, and those who are living with an invisible disability, such as autism or dyslexia.

The library's new accessibility coordinator, Karen Wootten, said the National Network for Equitable Library Service, also known as NNELS, has been providing resources for people living with impairment of sight for many years now. Wootten said a student from Brooks Secondary School recently gave a braille demonstration at the library.

The library offers physical resources such as large print books, non-English language publications, audio books and quiet spaces for meetings and/or tutoring services, and also plenty of digital services such as the Libby app and PressReader, which offers free access to ebooks and magazines.

"We have different language resources, including easy-readers for those who are learning English as a second language," said Wootten. "We do have an agreement with tutors and/or organizations to use our room free of charge."

The library facility is called a universal design, meaning it has: wheelchair and stroller-accessible with entry ramp and automatic-open front entry; wheelchair and stroller-accessible gender-neutral washroom; designated accessible parking; bus stop located on Alberni Street at Joyce Avenue; dedicated children and teen areas, and a newly acquired sound-reducing study pod that reduces sound by up to 75 per cent.

"We [PRPL] had Heather McCain from an organization called LETS [Live Educate Transform Society], which is run by people who have lived experience with disabilities," said Wootten. "They did a tour of the library, and did some staff training." 

Wootten said all the feedback on the tour was positive.

"Although Heather [the tour leader] used the library space as an example of what to look for when creating an accessible space, the information she provided could be easily extrapolated to fit other spaces," added Wootten.

The library also provides plenty of space to move, and tables for those who use a wheelchair.

"All of our staff here are super helpful and learning to talk to people about what their needs are, or they'll just transfer them to me," said Wootten, adding that she is reaching out to the community and qathet's senior population in order to find out what they need in terms of accessibility and resources. Currently, the accessibility coordinator is creating a book for those living with dementia.

"Mark Merlino, our adult services coordinator, runs a lot of our tech workshops and he coordinates a service called Books on Wheels," said Wootten. "Volunteers deliver books to private homes, Willingdon Creek Village, Evergreen [Extended Care] and Kiwanis residences."

Libraries are free publicly available spaces where no purchases are necessary. 

"We really want this to be a place where people feel comfortable coming, and feel safe and accepted and welcome," said Wootten. "The Mahjong group meets here and other groups use it as a central meeting spot."  

PRPL chief librarian Rebecca Burbank shared how the silent study pod came to be.

“The library gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the province of British Columbia through the ministry of municipal affairs that enabled the purchase," said Burbank.

A list of accessible resources can be found at prpl.ca/our-services/outreach-services or by calling 604.485.4796.

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