Guide
How to create an accessible classroom library
Ideas on how to create an accessible and inclusive classroom library that benefits students with print disabilities and visual impairments.
When I was volunteering in an elementary school classroom, I had a student tell me how much they wished that they could read all of the different books that were in their classroom library. This student had a print disability that meant they were unable to read standard print, and they thought that this meant they were unable to read the same books as other students. However, I was able to show them that they could actually read all of the same books, they just would have to get them in a different format. Soon enough, the student was listening to several different audiobooks with their siblings and discovering books they had heard their friends talk about in the past. Creating an accessible classroom library was a major goal for their teacher, and today I will be sharing my tips for how to create an accessible classroom library or increase the number of accessible books for students.
What make a classroom library accessible?
There are a few different definitions for accessible classroom library that range from the physical layout to the availability of books in non-English languages to the content in the books themselves. For the purposes of this post, I am talking about making a variety of books accessible for students with print disabilities, with a print disability being defined as a component of a learning, visual, or physical disability that keeps a person from being able to access materials in standard print.
Related links
Examples of accessible book formats
Some examples of accessible book formats that students with print disabilities can access include:
- Braille
- Large print
- Dual media/dual format books, which contain both print and Braille
- Audiobooks
- ePub or digital books
- DAISY books (a specialty format for digital accessible books)
Related links
- File Formats For Low Vision and Print Disabilities
- Using Blackboard Ally With Low Vision
- Reading Bookshare Titles With Microsoft Word
Purchasing physical books in an accessible format
When purchasing books that are in an accessible format, look for titles that are in large print or Braille. One of the most common Braille books I have seen in classroom libraries are the ones from the DK Braille series, though many other Braille books can be found through the following services:
- Amazon/Amazon Business
- National Braille Press
- Seedlings
- Braille Bookstore
Large print books can also be purchased on Amazon/Amazon Business, and the National Library Service keeps a comprehensive list of ways to get a variety of large print materials. I’ve also linked an additional post on finding research sources and other types of print content in accessible formats, including children’s books.
Related links
- Braille Bookstore
- Seedlings Braille books
- National Braille Press
- Large print resources on Library of Congress
- How I Find Research Sources In Accessible Formats
Assistive technology for physical books
There are a few different tools that can help students with low vision to read physical copies of books, though typically the assistive technology specialist or teacher of the visually impaired (TVI) will do assistive technology assessments for individual students. Some examples of assistive technology for physical books include:
- Magnifying glasses
- Video magnifiers
- Scanning pens that can read text out loud
- Stands to rest books on so that the student can read them at an angle
Related links
- Magnifying Glasses For Low Vision
- All About The Eschenbach SmartLux Digital Video Magnifier
- Reading Handwriting With Assistive Technology
- ScanMarker Air: OCR Scanner Pen for Low Vision
- Ways To Use Music Stands As Assistive Technology
Provide ways to access digital books
With my eye condition, I am unable to read a majority of traditional printed materials and prefer to read digital books. My dream classroom library would involve me being able to download a copy of whatever was on the bookshelf in large print or another preferred format to an electronic device that I could use in the classroom.
Some examples of places to download books might include:
- Bookshare
- eBook retailer such as Amazon or Barnes and Noble
- Learning Ally
- State accessible materials center
- BARD- Library of Congress
- Audible
Examples of ways to read books in the classroom might include:
- eReader
- Tablet computer
- MP3 player or iPod Touch
Another interesting way to read picture books would be to look up storytimes/readings of the book on the YouTube Kids app and to add the books to a curated playlist for students to explore, though this would probably be better for after school hours.
Related links
- Ten Cool Things You Didn’t Know About Bookshare
- All About AIM-VA
- How I’m Using My eReader To Support Virtual Learning
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: eReaders
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Tablets
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: MP3 Players
Apps for interactive books
In addition to digital books in traditional accessible formats, there is a growing number of apps and services that allow students to access favorite books as well as exclusive books in a combined print and audio format. Some of the popular services I have worked with include:
- TumbleBooks
- OverDrive/Libby
- Sora
- Storyline
Related links
- TumbleBooks: Audio Narrated Picture Books For Low Vision
- Sora Free Audiobook Summer Reading Programs
- How To Find Accessible Picture Books For Low Vision
- Reading Magazines With The Libby App And Low Vision
- My Favorite Digital Library Resources For Low Vision
Funding an accessible classroom library
All of these ideas may seem interesting and great, but I recognize that many teachers do not have the funding to create their own accessible classroom library for low vision students, or even to create a classroom library in general. However, there are ways that teachers can get funding for their classroom libraries, such as through DonorsChoose. Some examples of items to request through DonorsChoose include:
- Digital or physical copies of popular books, either listing specific titles or going through the reimbursement process
- Specific technology devices, i.e a set of eReaders or a tablet
- Memberships to premium versions of applications
- Line trackers or other low-tech assistive technology
Related links
- How To Create A DonorsChoose Project For Visual Impairment
- 20+ Visual Impairment Project Ideas For DonorsChoose
More tips on how to create an accessible classroom library
- Looking for a list of places to find accessible picture books online? Read my post How To Find Accessible Picture Books For Low Vision
- Another fun way to upgrade story times is by adding the Novel Effect app or other soundtracks for reading – learn more in Novel Effect App Review For Visual Impairment and How Amazon Alexa Can Help You With Art
- Prefer to use Alexa for reading books out loud? Read How Amazon Alexa Can Help You Read
By Veronica Lewis/Veronica With Four Eyes, www.veroniiiica.com
Updated September 2023.
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