What is the role of public libraries and books in the everyday lives of adults with intellectual disability?

Abstract

Public libraries have a social and ethical responsibility to ensure access to literature for everyone and provide low-intensive meetings places for a diverse population. Nevertheless, there are certain groups in society that are not frequently observed using the library. This study investigated the use of libraries and books by adults with intellectual disability. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 caregivers and teachers. The main findings were that people with intellectual disability rarely visited the library, among others because the caregivers were concerned about bothering other patrons or did not perceive library visits as a relevant activity. Moreover, few engaged in reading as a leisure activity. Caregivers had no knowledge of adapted books, and these books were not actively promoted by the librarians. Consequently, many adults with intellectual disability were given children’s books instead of adapted, age-appropriate books. The findings have implications for caregivers pertaining to the potensial of using public libraries and their tailored collections. The study also shows the need for librarians to promote library services and adapted books and to include a broader variety of users when promoting library services to local communities.