Hi guys, I am still trying to figure out how to rotate this picture, but what I have here is a possible modification to make bookshelves accessible to the greatest number of people. My redesigned bookshelf is only 50 inches high, so that people in wheelchairs and people with short stature will be able to access the books. I have widened the aisles, so that people can maneuver wheelchairs, walkers, or other asisstive devices in order to access the books. I have also changed how the books are displayed. Instead of stacking the books side by side, with their covers touching, here I have the books facing forward and not touching each other. While this would take up a lot more space, I think it would be easier for someone with impaired mobility or strength in their arms and hands to pick up a book displayed in this manner, rather than trying to yank out a book that is sandwhiched tightly between other books. There are more ways to grip a book if they are displayed in this manner. The shelves can be clearly labeled in large print to reveal what genre of books is displayed in each section, and with directions posted in simplified language on each bookshelf to help people know how to locate the books on the shelves.
Ariella, these are great ideas that are simple and allow access for a greater number of people. You mentioned space being an issue but not everybody lives in a crowded city like New York. For the other 98% of this world I think these are great ideas. I once saw an older gentleman in a wheelchair using a pole with grips on the end that would close on a book when squeezed. It was a pretty amazing feet considering the book was a least 8 feet up!
ReplyDeleteAriella, I like your idea of making the shelves lower and aisles wider. I think it would definitely increase the accessibility of the library shelves. I also like the idea of the books facing out but I wonder if that would be feasible, especially in really big libraries.
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