Inclusive Library Services for Children: Perspectives of Librarians and Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Year 2024, Volume: 38 Issue: 1, 27 - 56, 30.03.2024

Nilay Kaptan , Esin Pektaş Karabekir , Arif Yilmaz , Yasemin Ergenekon

https://doi.org/10.24146/tk.1317784

Abstract

Purpose: For all people, the acquisition of knowledge is essential. Libraries serve as critical institutions that enable individuals to become informed. This study aims to gather insights and perspectives from library staff on the use of libraries by individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families. It also seeks to understand the views and experiences of parents of children with ASD and their interactions with library staff.

Method: The study was conducted as a case study, a qualitative research method, and involved using multiple case analyses to achieve the abovementioned aim. Seven librarians and eight parents of children diagnosed with ASD volunteered to participate in the study. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews. The information collected was analyzed using thematic analysis.

Findings: The data obtained in the research, which are the seven fundamental principles of children’s libraries, are “mission and purposes of children’s libraries, human resources, competencies and knowledge, collection development, and management, programs, and community outreach activities. Design of the space and creating a welcoming place, marketing, promotion, evaluation, and impact” was evaluated. As a result of the analysis revealed the presence of ten themes and subthemes, which were identified as follows: “perception of the library,” “obstacles to the use of the library,” “expectations about the work of the libraries,” “perception of the staff,” “type and characteristics of the material,” “expectations about the programs and activities,” “services provided in the library,” “inclusive interior,” information and awareness,” “holistic and multiple evaluation.”

Implications: The perspectives of parents and library staff regarding the identified themes from the data were presented comparatively, and the findings concerning existing literature were discussed. Subsequently, considering the research findings, recommendations are provided regarding potential initiatives libraries can undertake to serve children with ASD and their parents better.

Originality: This study highlights potential library benefits for children with ASD and their parents. The findings of this research will likely make an original contribution to the field of library services. The study’s findings are anticipated to help improve library services so that children with ASD and their families can benefit from them. s. In addition, this study is predicted to pioneer and guide new studies on library use by children with ASD and their families.

Keywords

Children with autism spectrum disorder, parents, library staff, inclusive children’s library, thematic analysis

Project Number

Bulunmamaktadır.

Kapsayıcı Çocuk Kütüphanesi Hizmetleri: Otizm Tanılı Çocuğa Sahip Ebeveynlerin ve Kütüphane Personelinin Görüşleri

Abstract

Amaç: Bilgi tüm insanlık için temel bir ihtiyaçtır. Bireylerin bilgiye erişebilmesini kolaylaştıracak önemli kurumlardan biri kütüphanelerdir. Bu araştırmada OSB tanılı çocuğa sahip ebeveynlerin ve kütüphane personelinin görüş ve deneyimlerine göre OSB olan çocukların ve ebeveynlerinin kütüphane kullanımının incelenmesi hedeflenmiştir.

Yöntem: Bu amaç doğrultusunda araştırma, nitel araştırma yaklaşımlarından durum çalışması olarak gerçekleştirilmiş ve çalışmada çoklu durum analizi kullanılmıştır. Araştırmaya yedi kütüphane personeli, sekiz OSB tanılı çocuğa sahip ebeveyn gönüllü olarak katılmıştır. Yarı-yapılandırılmış görüşmeler yoluyla toplanan veriler tematik analiz yoluyla analiz edilmiştir.

Bulgular: Araştırmada elde edilen verileri çocuk kütüphanelerinin yedi kriteri olan “kütüphanelerin misyonu ve amaçları, insan kaynakları, yeterlikler ve bilgi, derme geliştirme ve yönetimi, programlar ve sosyal yardım faaliyetleri, mekân tasarımı ve hoş bir mekânın oluşturulması, pazarlama ve tanıtım, değerlendirme ve etki” kapsamında değerlendirilmiştir. Söz konusu yedi kriter doğrultusunda yapılan analiz sonucunda “kütüphaneye ilişkin algı”, “kütüphane kullanımına yönelik engeller”, “kütüphanelerin yapacağı çalışmalara ilişkin beklentiler”, “personel algısı”, “materyal türü ve özellikleri”, “program ve etkinliklere ilişkin beklentiler”, “kütüphanede verilen hizmetler”, “kapsayıcı iç mekân”, “bilgilendirme ve farkındalık”, “bütüncül ve çoklu değerlendirme yapılması” olmak üzere 10 temaya ve alt-temalara ulaşılmıştır.

Sonuç: Bulgularda verilere dayalı olarak ulaşılan temalara ilişkin ebeveynlerin ve kütüphane personelinin görüşleri karşılaştırmalı olarak sunulmuş, bulgular alanyazına dayalı olarak tartışılmıştır. Sonrasında ise araştırmadan elde edilen bulgular dikkate alınarak OSB olan çocuklar ve ebeveynlerine hizmet sağlayan kütüphanelerin yeni rolleri için yapabileceği çalışmalara ilişkin öneriler sunulmuştur.

Özgünlük: Bu çalışmada OSB olan çocuklar ve ebeveynlerinin kütüphane hizmetlerinden yararlanabilecekleri vurgulanmıştır. Çalışmanın bulgularının alana özgün olarak katkı sağlayacağı düşünülmektedir. Çalışmanın bulguları aracılığıyla OSB olan çocukların ve ailelerinin kütüphane hizmetlerinden yararlanmaları için kütüphane hizmetlerini iyileştirme çalışmalarına katkı sağlanabileceği düşünülmektedir. Ayrıca bu çalışmanın OSB olan çocukların ve ailelerinin kütüphane kullanımına ilişkin yapılacak yeni çalışmalar için öncü ve yönlendirici olabileceği öngörülmektedir.

Keywords

Otizm spektrum bozukluğu olan çocuklar, ebeveynler, kütüphane personeli, kapsayıcı çocuk kütüphanesi, tematik analiz

Supporting Institution

Bulunmamaktadır.

Project Number

Bulunmamaktadır.

Thanks

Bu çalışma kapsamında en büyük teşekkürümüz çalışmamıza gönüllü olarak katılan ve sorularımızı içtenlikle yanıtlayan değerli ebeveynlere ve kütüphane personelinedir. Onların katılımı olmasaydı bu çalışma gerçekleşmezdi. Uzman görüşü sunarak geçerli veriler elde etmemizi sağlayan değerli alan uzmanlarına çok teşekkür ederiz. Kütüphane personeline ulaşmamızı sağlayan değerli kütüphane yöneticilerine ve kütüphane personeline ebeveynlere ulaşmamızı sağlayan değerli öğretmenlerimiz Elfesiya Kalay, Zehra Kargın ve Ebru Kovaçi’ye minnettarız.

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