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Library staff present on alternative access plans

student using laptop in computer
Studying in Albertsons Library, photo by Sean Evans

Albertsons Library’s Mary Aagard and Pamela Kindelberger presented a webinar for the Reference and User Services Association, a division of the American Library Association. Aagard, head of acquisitions and collections, and Kindleberger, section manager of ordering, interlibrary loan and gifts, shared their expertise on how to develop equally effective alternative access plans (EEAAP) for library resources. Staff from Northwestern University’s library were also part of the webinar.

Boise State’s library strives to purchase, license and ensure accessibility to all our content in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Technology sometimes imposes limits, making our resources and services less user-friendly. The library developed an EEAAP to ensure that all users, regardless of physical or visual challenges, can use the materials while remediation is in progress.

The pandemic further emphasized how important online access is when it’s the patron’s only option. “EEAAP is important to the success of our students because it allows us to help students where they are – and get them access to the materials they need, in a format they can use,” explains Kindelberger.