One Saturday morning, a mom approached the Youth Desk at Prescott Public Library and shared that her son had been diagnosed with dyslexia. Individuals with dyslexia often have difficulty learning and processing information; reading or spelling might be challenging.
Dyslexics are statistically more likely to excel in creative problem-solving tasks and connect well with others— indispensable skills that are not always recognized or valued in school or workplace environments. Frustrated, this mom wanted to find books that her son could read. Although the children’s area had a handful of books with dyslexic characters and many educational books about dyslexia, there was a gap in our collection.
Youth Services committed to advocating for youth with dyslexia. Our goal was to learn about dyslexia and apply what we learned to our collection, programming, and displays. Initially, we purchased dyslexia reading guides- available for free at the Youth Desk. The guides are inch-wide strips of plastic with a transparent colored strip in the middle. They help readers focus on one line of text at a time—something that often challenges those with dyslexia.
Subsequently, we created new subject tracings (dyslexia friendly and dyslexia adapted) in our Yavapai Library Network catalog to help patrons narrow their searches for dyslexia friendly media. The Prescott Public Library website hosts a new Dyslexia Friendly Books list, as well.
This inclusive mindset extends to our early literacy youth programming. For example, Youth Services librarians utilize story times to introduce multi-sensory interpretive strategies that benefit newly independent readers.
Our shelf labels will soon be updated with pictograms—images—to simplify the process of searching for books.
All community members benefit from accommodations that especially ease the library experience of those with dyslexia. We are still learning how to make our resources more inclusive and welcome feedback from patrons.
September is Library Card Sign-up Month!
Library cards are passports to knowledge and imagination, and they are free! Through access to technology, online resources, and educational programs, libraries provide people of all ages with the opportunity to pursue their dreams and passions.
How do you get a card? It’s simple.
• Check out details and online application here: https://www.prescottlibrary.info/services/library-cards-accounts/library-cards/
• Visit the Check Out Desk on the 2nd floor of the library with a photo ID and proof of residency.
• A parent or guardian needs to accompany anyone under 16 to get a card. Even babies can have their own card!
Call 928.777.1524 for more information.
