Accessibility in academic libraries: An evaluation of conditions and practices of twelve academic libraries in Türkiye

ÇAKMAK T., Ugurlu E.

JOURNAL OF ACADEMIC LIBRARIANSHIP, sa.3, 2025 (SSCI) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.acalib.2025.103056
  • Dergi Adı: JOURNAL OF ACADEMIC LIBRARIANSHIP
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, FRANCIS, Periodicals Index Online, Applied Science & Technology Source, Business Source Elite, Business Source Premier, EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts, Index Islamicus, Information Science and Technology Abstracts, INSPEC, Library and Information Science Abstracts, Library Literature and Information Science, Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts (LISTA), MLA - Modern Language Association Database, DIALNET
  • Hacettepe Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Purpose: Academic libraries offer a wide range of facilities designed to meet the specific information needs of their users. These facilities are particularly important in terms of services for disabled users. This study presents a perspective on the existing facilities offered by academic libraries to disabled users for 12 libraries in T & uuml;rkiye. Methodology: The facilities of 12 academic libraries in T & uuml;rkiye for users with disabilities were assessed using the IFLA Access to Libraries for Persons with Disabilities - CHECKLIST and the Accessibility Guide published by the Ministry of Family and Social Policies in T & uuml;rkiye. Interviews were conducted with librarians responsible for disability services and with library directors to gain a deeper understanding of the current situation in the libraries. Results: The results indicated that academic libraries need improvements in physical infrastructure, staff training, awareness-raising activities, collaboration, and website optimization for disabled users. Conclusion: The study revealed that an appropriate organizational structure is essential for delivering adequate services to users with disabilities in the analyzed libraries. It was also found that creating a standards-compliant environment and fostering management awareness are essential for providing inclusive information services to these users.