Assistive Technology and Libraries

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Assistive Technology and Libraries


Assistive technology is very important in libraries because it can help build literacy in children that may not engage in books in traditional ways, whether because of a disability or any other reason. In the article “Access for All Adapted Literacy Through Low-Tech Assistive Technology” the authors mention a strategy called the Universal Design for Learning, or UDL. Within the UDL there are three principles used to help children better engage with stories. The principles provided are to prepare libraries to have “multiple and flexible means of representation of content; multiple ways to engage students; multiple ways for students to express what they know” (Gaylon 23). By adhering to these principles libraries can provide children of all different abilities the opportunity to build literacy. Some examples are tongue depressors (or popsicle sticks) to help students turn pages (Gaylon 23), use animated electronic books (Gaylon 24) or provide adapted story books (Gaylon 24), which should ideally be more engaging than traditional storybooks. It is important for libraries to have access to these kinds of alternatives in order to serve all people in the community. 

Libraries with more of a budget can provide higher end technology to patrons at no cost, which helps communities who are unable to pay for or access such expensive tech. The Santa Ana Public Library provides what are called Robots in Residence. The goal of this project is to use AI robots to “help kids build social-emotional skills, something that can be challenging for those on the autism spectrum or for kids who may struggle with socializing” (Realizing Potential 31). I found this story very interesting and it is amazing what libraries can do with AI technology. One family even mentioned that they used the Moxie robot to help their child learn English (Realizing Potential 31). It is very exciting living in a time where we can use AI technology to help enhance literacy and learning. I hope to see more programs like this in the future, because everyone engages with stories differently and it is important to use whatever we can to help them build literacy. 



Works Cited

Galyon, Cathy L., et al. “Access for All: Adapted Literacy Through Low-Tech Assistive 

    Technology.” Children & Libraries: The Journal of the Association for Library Service to 

    Children, vol. 21, no. 2, Summer 2023, pp. 22–27. EBSCOhost, https://doi-                             

    org.ezproxy.palomar.edu/10.5860/cal.21.2.22.


“Realizing Potential: Libraries Employ (and Investigate) Artificial Intelligence.” American 

    Libraries, vol. 55, no. 3/4, Mar. 2024, pp. 30–33. EBSCOhost, 

    search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=175883365&site=ehost-live&scope=site.


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