Disability issues and libraries: a Scottish perspective

Abstract

Purpose

To give an overview of recent advances in thinking on disability issues in libraries, with a particular emphasis on Scottish initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

A summary of recent professional trends.

Findings

That service provision in this regard has improved significantly in recent years, but that there is still capacity for further advance.

Research limitations/implications

A descriptive account of past and present trends which only points to theoretical and research implications to be developed elsewhere.

Practical implications

This opinion piece gives some clear and practical concepts which can illuminate the background to disability provision in modern libraries.

Originality/value

This editorial briefly sketches the legislative underpinning to advances in the area of library disability service provision, but points out the role of the customer service values inherent in the library profession which should not be underestimated as a contributing factor to this story of improvement. And in particular, this editorial emphasises the need to focus on the human rather than the technological side of this subject.

Citation

Joint, N. (2005), "Disability issues and libraries: a Scottish perspective", Library Review, Vol. 54 No. 8, pp. 449-452. https://doi.org/10.1108/00242530510619138