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Library + Archives Commitments and Progress

This site includes documentation of the actions the ECU Library and Archives is taking to fulfill our strategic goals, including decolonization and indigenization, accessibility, and sustainability.

Library Accessibility Committee Work

The Library Accessibility Committee formed in 2020 to discuss barriers to access in the library collections, spaces and services and to think proactively about how to make the library welcoming and accessible to students. 

Our work is informed by student feedback, the ECU Neuro-Divergent + Disability Artist Collective, and readings on disability studies in libraries. 

On this page you can find information about completed and ongoing projects, some information about library accessibility, accessible resources, and student feedback about library access needs. 

This work is ongoing and we welcome your input. 

  • Added library accessibility information to website, 2021  
  • Conducted a library access needs survey and gathered responses: https://guides.ecuad.ca/accessibility/library. Fall 2021 
  • Sensory-friendly study nights, 2023-present
  • Added accessibility statements in email signatures, Fall 2024 
  • Hosted a soft sensory space of low lights, quieter volumes, and no scents during the 2024 Grad Show opening, Spring 2024 
  • Made earplugs available for patrons throughout the library in response to sensory needs our community highlighted, Fall 2024  
  • Distinguished sound areas of the library space in response to sensory needs our community highlighted, Fall 2024  
  • Developed guidelines to ensure online content is in accessible format, Spring 2021
  • Collaborated with the ECU Dis/ability and Neurodivergent Collective on a Accessibility Research Guide: https://guides.ecuad.ca/accessibility/library and book display, 2021 
  • Expanded collection development on dis/ability, neurodiversity in the book collection: https://guides.ecuad.ca/accessibility/books, 2021, ongoing 
  • Developed the Neurotools Collection. Neurotools are tools that can support anyone, but are built with special consideration for neurodiverse folks. These tools include fidgets, sensory supports, and brain aids. They help folks regulate, focus, and excel. Fall 2023. The development of this collection was based on three main research avenues/community consults 
    • Requests from the ECU Dis/ability and Neurodivergent Collective, and community members with lived experience 
    • Inspiration from the SFU fidget library developed by Autistics United 
    • Staff research on sensory system regulation, learning supports, neurodiversity, and occupational therapy tools  
  • Completed a full evaluation of the library’s eresources with a section to evaluate accessibility features (text-to-speech, ePUB 3, table of contents with linking entries, high contrast ratio, closed caption, audio description, content warning for flashing lights) 

 

  • Developed resource for faculty on making course resources accessible: https://guides.ecuad.ca/forfaculty/accessibility , 2021
  • Added closed-captions to library video tutorials and made the slides available in readable PDF format https://guides.ecuad.ca/onlinetutorial, 2021 
  • Share slides from library workshops with instructors to further share content and links with students. Slides are all in accessible formats noted above. ongoing 
  • Implemented a flexible script at research help desk to ask students how they prefer to read and what formats they prefer to use and added Open Dyslexic font extension to browser. 2021, 2024 
  • Demonstrate accessibility features in library databases (read aloud options, format/language facets, etc.) during library instruction sessions with students. ongoing 
  • Extended library services: extended loan period to full semester, browsing appointments and resource access assistance, library cards for student aides, mailing books to students. 
  • Discussed Marrakesh Treaty http://cfla-fcab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Getting_Started_FAQ_Marrakesh_Treaty_a_practical_guide_for_librarians_Canada_2019.pdf. Summer 2020 
  • Access needs workshop with Sunny Nestler. Spring 2021 
  • Discussion with Taryn Goodwin at library staff meeting on expanding accessibility resources. Spring 2021 
  • Discussion on trauma-informed librarianship. Summer 2021 
  • Readings and discussion from special issue of Espace magazine on neurodiversity. Spring 2024 
  • Somers, E., Beugh, K., Chung, M., Crawford, G., Creery, C., Diab, A., Giles, K., Goodwin, T., Luddington, E., & Schneider, S. (2022). Student Job Postings: Looking Through the Lens of Disability Justice. doi:10.35010/ecuad:17928
  • Conference presentations on accessibility display, low-sensory study nights, and neurotools collection. Fall 2023, Fall 2024 

Library Accessibility

The ECU Library is committed to providing an inclusive environment with equal access for all students, faculty and staff of the University. We aim to provide equal access to our library services and collections.

Library Space

  • Entrance is on the second level. Doors are kept open during library open hours.
  • Elevator is located at the west end of the library
  • Washrooms are all single stall, accessible and gender neutral. They are located on the north side of the upper level; and northeast side of the lower level
  • Where the library building or facilities restrict access, do not hesitate to ask for assistance.

Accessing Library Material

The stacks or shelves in some parts of the library are high and narrow, and may not be accessible to all users. If you have difficulty reaching or lifting materials in the book stacks, or operating the library's self-serve photocopiers, printers or scanners, please contact the library to arrange service library@ecuad.ca, or visit the Service Desk on the upper level.

Books that are available in the library can be put on hold by logging into your account through the Library Catalogue. Items will be held for you at the Service Desk and you will receive a notification when they are ready to be picked up.

Other Services

  • If you have a student aide, the library can issue a card that allows your aide to borrow library materials on your behalf. This can be arranged at the Service Desk.
  • Research help services can be offered in person when the library is opened or online by appointment if you need help accessing materials in accessible formats.
If there is anything else we can do to help you use the Library, please let us know.

Scanning Print Materials into Accessible Formats

  • The KIC book scanners in the library have optical character recognition (OCR), which means they can scan text and make it readable. 
  • If your document is difficult to see, use the settings to adjust the brightness and contrast to make it easier to read.

Electronic Resources

  • Not all library material is published in accessible formats, but many newer titles will have an electronic version of a text
  • Search for electronic resources in platforms from EBSCO, Proquest, SAGE, Taylor & Francis, and others. These platforms have built in accessibility features like text-to-speech, text highlight, downloadable mp3s of full text articles, large text and more.
  • If you need help finding electronic versions, ask a library staff member for help library@ecuad.ca. It’s possible that the resource is only published in print, but we can try to find an alternate format for you.

Modifications to eResource Formats for Accessibility

Different vendors have different contractual obligations. To request that an eResource be modified into an accessible formats, please reach out to library@ecuad.ca with these details:

  • Student ID number
  • Database/article/book/streaming video/platform name and URL
  • Type of modification requested (e.g. larger print / a different audio file / described audio / closed captions)
  • Is the disability documented? Y/N (not all vendors require this, but some do. We do not want to be in breach of contracts.)

Your request will be forwarded to the eResources Librarian, who will then check your request against the licence terms for that particular vendor and take the next steps. Do note that where vendor platforms already have accessibility accommodations, e.g. text-to-speech, your request might take longer to fulfil as we will have to argue that these functions do not sufficiently meet a student's needs.

3 readers are sitting in a reading room area reading books on accessibility. In the background there is a white board with access needs written on it.

In the fall 2021 semester we had a display of resources on accessibility in the ECU Library Reading Room, where we posted a white board for students to tell us their access needs for using the library. Thank you for your feedback and letting us know ways we can make the library more welcoming and accessible to you. Here are the compiles posts with our responses.

    Greeting me by name
    • Yes, we would love to get to know students and learn your names. Come chat with us and introduce yourself. 
  • I need someone to help me proofread
    • The ECU Writing Centre has created an excellent selection of resources about editing and revising your writing: https://writingcentre.ecuad.ca/resources/#editing-and-revision. You can also use the library as a space to meet with peers to proofread each others’ work. This is a great way to learn from each other and gain experience with providing feedback. 
  • Audio and video material in “reading lists”
    • Excellent suggestion! We will do a review of our electronic resources and research guides to look into ways that we can include more AV material.
  • I need soft lighting | Moderate lighting
    • We agree! Right now, the lighting in the bookable study rooms can be adjusted. In the future we would like to get more desk lamps so lighting can be adjusted better for each patron. 
  • I wish we could have portable CD players, cassette players, etc. available to borrow
    • Media Resources has cassette and CD players which students can borrow, but they are quite large and not very portable. We have a portable record player. Sorry - this is not the answer you are looking for.
  • Somewhere to nap | I want to nap more | Nap room | Stronger lighting in darker areas of the library
    • The Student Wellness Department now has a nap room!!!!! The library offers some semi comfortable couches and we now have a hammock chair that is pretty good for napping. Also we have two slumpy beanbags.
  • I need to talk ideas through with folks I trust
    • The research help desk is here to talk through your ideas with you! We have staff at the desk from 11:30-1:30 and 3-5, Monday - Friday. You can also make an appointment by emailing library@ecuad.ca
  • Silent work areas | Quiet space
    • We have a designated quiet study area on the north side of the lower level. You can also book a study room here: https://ecuad.mywconline.com/ 
    • We welcome group work, socializing, and independent noise making in areas outside of the designated quiet zones.
  • Someone to show/walk me through how to do things
    • We are happy to work with you to navigate how to use the library. You can ask us in person at the Service Desk or Research Help Desk, stop by our offices on the lower level, or get help online. We have a Library Chat Service that you can access https://www.ecuad.ca/library/research/help and we can meet with you in Zoom. Email us to set up an appointment library@ecuad.ca 
  • Water fountain downstairs 
    • We have asked for an estimate on how much it would cost us to install a water fountain on the lower level and the estimate came in at approximately $18000. At this time, we do not have the funds. 
  • More plants
    • We love plants! We are trying to propagate and grow more plants. Do you know about the seed library? Take some seeds to grow plants at your home too
  • Friends
    • There are often events happening around the University that provide opportunities to meet people. You can find events here: https://www.ecuad.ca/events 
  • More free food
    • We look forward to being able to share food again. 
  • More hand sanitizing stations 
    • During the height of the pandemic we had hand sanitizer on almost every table in the library. But then we ended up with so much waste. We are hoping that we now have enough out so that you can feel clean while offering you 3 bathrooms to wash your hand if necessary. 
  • More garbage cans
    • We have recently added two recycling stations in the library: one on the lower level just east of the stairs and one on the upper level in the sustainability area. 
  • More comfortable seating | back support and tables | The couches and chairs are uncomfortable | More hammocks or bean bag chairs downstairs. I want more hammocks and surfer furniture too!
    • We will keep trying to find money in the budget. 

 library@ecuad.ca       604-844-3840        520 East 1st Avenue, Vancouver, BC