Join us to hear success stories from small and rural libraries transforming their offerings to better serve individuals with disabilities. This program will showcase the impact of ALA’s Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Accessible Small and Rural Communities initiative, which empowers libraries to enhance accessibility in their facilities, services, and programs.
Through this initiative, small and rural libraries received support to create accessible environments tailored to the needs of their communities. Attendees will learn how these libraries identified specific barriers to access and implemented effective strategies to overcome them.
The session will feature presentations from two grantee libraries, each sharing their unique journey. From incorporating adaptive technology to redesigning physical spaces and enhancing community connection through accessible programming, these libraries have made significant strides in serving individuals with disabilities.

This session is part of our yearlong Room for Everyone series of programs supporting library accessibility. To view all the programs in this series, please view the Accessibility programs on our event calendar.

This public program is made possible by federal Library Service and Technology Act funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which enable the New York State Library to champion lifelong learning.

Presenters:

Samantha Oakley, Deputy Director, ALA Public Programs Office

Samantha Oakley is a deputy director in the American Library Association's (ALA) Public Programs Office, where she leads a range of initiatives to strengthen library services and foster community engagement. As the director of ALA's “Libraries Transforming Communities” initiative, Samantha oversees a $20 million grant program that helps small and rural libraries enhance the accessibility of their facilities, services, and programs for individuals with disabilities. She also leads the “Media Literacy for Adults” and “Community Connect” projects, which provide libraries with essential resources to enhance digital access and literacy in their communities. Having grown up in a town of 400 people, Samantha is passionate about supporting small and rural libraries as vital hubs of learning and connection in their communities. She holds a Master’s degree in Library and Information Services from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Rebecca Norlander, Principal Researcher, Knology

Rebecca is a researcher at Knology with a background in qualitative research design and expertise in human rights education. She leads Knology's Culture research, which focuses on the ways that cultural participation and practices advance social good. Using her doctorate in Human Science, she combines theory and practice to explore how people work to change structural norms and advance rights-based systems. Her current research interests focus on developing resources and strategies for informal education settings. She has published in Museums & Social Issues, The Library Quarterly, The American Archivist, Journalism Practice, Peace Review, and the Journal of Education for Library and Information Science. Previously, Rebecca's professional experience has included working with the American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International, Digital Democracy, Human Rights Educators USA, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Sarah Murphy, Director, Greenwich Free Library

Sarah Murphy has been the Library Director at Greenwich Free Library in Greenwich, NY since November 2021. Sarah has worked previously as a school librarian and teacher of English and theatre in New York City. Sarah holds a BA in Theatre Arts from Drew University, an MLIS from the Palmer School, Long Island University, and an MA in English from the Middlebury College Bread Loaf School of English.

Jennifer Coulter, Director, Pound Ridge Library

Jennifer has served as the Director of the Pound Ridge Library for the last four years. Jennifer is serving as President of the Westchester Library System’s Public Library Directors Association, recently having served as Vice President and Secretary. She is currently pursuing an Advanced Certificate in Public Library Administration at Long Island University.  She has served on the Library Board of Trustees, Friends of the Library, and the Library Foundation.  Her passion is fostering inclusivity and accessibility in libraries, with a particular focus on serving individuals with disabilities and neurodivergent communities.