Annotated Bibliography

1) Anderson, A., & Hall, R. C. (2021). Library Programming for Autistic Children and Teens. ALA Editions.

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Anderson and Hall’s book focuses specifically on programming that will support neurodivergent youth, covering topics such as sensory-friendly design, communication supports, behavioral expectations, and strategies for creating predictable, low-stress environments. Real-world programming examples are provided, as well as staff training tools, and approaches to collaborating with caregivers, educators, and disability organizations. This will be an especially valuable book for any librarians seeking to better understand autism and implement inclusive, respectful programming and service models.

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2) Clifford, E. (2020). The War on Disabled People: Capitalism, Welfare, and the Making of a Human Catastrophe. Verso.

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This book examines disability rights in the United Kingdom through a political and historical lens, tracing how austerity, social welfare reforms, and structural ableism has harmed disabled people. While Clifford’s book is not library-focused, it will help librarians understand systemic oppression, policy barriers, and the socio-economic challenges that their disabled patrons face. This will help librarians be thoughtful in their efforts around outreach, collection development, and advocacy. Clifford encourages libraries to view accessibility as not solely a technical problem but instead as part of their broader equity and justice work, helping library staff to recognize how policies at the library can unintentionally reinforce structural barriers.

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3) Feinberg, S., Jordan, B., Deerr, K., & Edmonds, L. (2014). Library Services for Youth with Disabilities. Neal-Schuman.

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This book provides librarians with practical strategies for designing inclusive services for children and teens with disabilities. Topics covered by the authors include communication strategies, accessible programming, partnerships with families and educators, and adaptive technologies. Examples of sensory-aware programming, behavior-support strategies, and environmental adjustments that reduce anxiety and overstimulation, are all provided. While this book is oriented towards youth services, the principles provided in this book can be translated directly into inclusive design for all patrons.

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4) Montague-Hellen, B. (2024). Practical Tips for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Libraries. Facet Publishing.

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Montague-Hellen’s book provides a pathway to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) into all areas of library work, including practices and principles that would directly benefit disabled and neurodiverse patrons. Short, targeted “tips” are included, as well as reflection prompts and implementation strategies that address barriers in staffing, collections, programming, outreach, and digital accessibility. Montague-Hellen moves solutions past one-off fixes and provides sustainable, inclusive policy development. Intersectionality is also discussed, which will help librarians understand how disability and neurodiversity interact with other identities.

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5) Skaggs, D., & McMullin, R. M. (Eds.). (2024). Universal design for learning in academic libraries: Theory into practice. Association of College & Research Libraries.

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This is an outstanding book for librarians who are looking for practical guidance when it comes to applying Universal Design principles in libraries, with additional attention to supporting disabled and neurodiverse patrons. Instead of focusing on individual accommodation for patrons, the book emphasizes proactive, structural inclusion, moving libraries toward equitable library services. Tools, such as checklists and instructional templates, are provided to assist librarians in integrating these principles into their workspaces and libraries.

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6) Spina, C. (2021). Creating Inclusive Libraries by Applying Universal Design: A Guide (LITA Guide). ALA Editions.

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Spina’s guide provides an introduction for librarians looking to apply Universal Design and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles across their library environments, with a focus on supporting disabled and neurodiverse patrons. An emphasis is made on designing services, spaces, and technologies that are flexible and usable by the widest range of patrons. Practical examples, planning frameworks, procurement considerations, and methods for assessing accessibility in existing systems are all presented. The author bridges these concepts with everyday decision-making, making this guide an ideal resource for librarians who are looking for a clear model for building more inclusive library ecosystems.

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7) Taussig, R. (2020). Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinarily Resilient Disabled Body. HarperOne.

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Rebekah Taussig’s memoir, Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinarily Resilient Disabled Body, in not specifically written for libraries or librarians. But the book will provide librarians with valuable insight on how physical environments, social attitudes, and informational barriers, shape disabled people’s experiences. After reading Taussig’s humorous and insightful exploration of disability, embodiment, and everyday ableism, librarians will see the inherent value in utilizing compassionate, user-informed approaches to public service interactions, marketing, programming, and space planning.

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8) Vincent, J. (2024). Making the Library Accessible for All: A Practical Guide for Librarians (2nd ed.). Rowman & Littlefield.

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This guide provides a comprehensive overview of accessibility in all areas of library service, with an emphasis on user-centered design for disabled and neurodiverse patrons. Some of the individual topics discussed are physical space improvements, policy development, inclusive customer service, adaptive technologies, and community consultation. Vincent also provides checklists, case studies, and step-by-step workflows that will allow libraries to improve their accessibility without requiring a large sum of money. This is an ideal read for libraries who are just beginning, or updating, their accessibility initiatives.

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9) Wong, A. (Ed.). (2020). Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century. Vintage.

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Wong presents this anthology of essays by disabled authors, which offers insight into contemporary disability experiences, politics, culture, and identity. While this book is not focused specifically on the “library experience,” the firsthand accounts by the various essayists will provide librarians with a deeper understanding for the lived realities of their disabled patrons. Wong’s anthology will be especially valuable for helping librarians to create more empathetic, person-centered service designs, as well as assisting with staff development on disability awareness and representation.

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10) Wong, A. (2022). The Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life. Vintage.

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Alice Wong’s memoir, The Year of the Tiger, offers an intimate perspective, through her personal narrative and reflections on activism, on life as a chronically ill, disabled organizer. For librarians Wong’s memoir provides insight into online accessibility, community care, mutual aid, and the importance of centering disabled voices in program planning and service design. The way Wong blends vulnerability and critique will strengthen librarians’ understanding of ableism, representation, and user empowerment, making this a useful book for staff training and development around equity and sensitivity.

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