MSR principal Traci Engel Lesneski recently presented a paper entitled “Process to Product: Inclusive Libraries by Design” at the 2018 International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) World Library Information Congress (WLIC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The theme for this year’s WLIC was “transforming libraries, transforming societies.” Focusing on the need for an inclusive design process in order to create an inclusive library building, Traci states, “It is crucial to find ways to obtain input from the people who rarely participate in public meetings, especially underserved or vulnerable communities.”
Paper Abstract: “People experience buildings differently, depending on their personal cultural, social, economic, and physical circumstances; yet many buildings are designed to accommodate only a narrow slice of the human population. In some cases, inequity is being constructed into the built environment. Awareness of potential barriers to use when considering the built environment can make the difference between places that support inclusion and ones that do not welcome all users. Foundational to creating inclusive buildings is the design process itself. No one person can embody all perspectives. Creating an inclusive building requires an inclusive process. This paper demonstrates how process, flexibility, and choice can be powerful tools in the quest for equitable library buildings.”