Libraries in focus: rethinking inclusion and accessibility!

Libraries in focus: rethinking inclusion and accessibility!

The 3rd Federal Library Policy Congress will take place on October 9, 2025 at the Allianz Forum at Pariser Platz in Berlin. Under the motto “Spaces for an open society and science”, experts from politics, science, culture and librarianship have gathered to discuss the role of libraries in social cohesion. In particular, the thematic forum “Inclusion in Libraries” will be hosted by Dr. Katrin Richter and Jürgen Dusel designed it, which deals with central questions about accessibility and participation.

Libraries are the focus of the discussion as places of dialogue and encounter. They make a significant contribution to social participation by enabling access to knowledge and information, promoting media literacy and providing a wide range of events and spaces. Academic libraries should act as bridges between society and science. A central goal of the congress is for library representatives to formulate their expectations of politics and thus open up scope for action. University of Weimar reports.

Accessibility survey results

In the run-up to the congress, an important survey on accessibility in German libraries was carried out. Over 950 locations, representing 49% of the libraries requested, took part. This high level of participation illustrates the great interest in the topic and lays the foundation for future options for action. The survey was carried out by the dbv commission “Customer-oriented and inclusive services” in cooperation with Prof. Dr. Elke Greifeneder carried out. Library Association.

The results show significant deficits in the accessibility of libraries. 50% of the institutions surveyed do not have financial resources to improve accessibility. Furthermore, 14% of locations do not have a barrier-free entrance, while only 18% have an accessible toilet. This shows that the challenges in accessibility are not only due to structural and financial conditions, but also to insufficient use of networks and cooperation as well as to the lack of specialist knowledge and qualifications of the staff.

Approaches for action and future developments

In order to improve the situation, the practical manual “Inclusion in Libraries” will be presented at the congress, which will be published in May 2025. This handbook, the first barrier-free e-book from the DeGruyter/Brill publishing house and available in open access, contains contributions from over 80 authors who deal with equal access to information, education and culture. Various aspects of inclusion play an important role here, such as the welcoming culture, analogue and digital communication, and further training of staff. Library Association.

The legal situation regarding accessibility is strengthened by the Disability Equality Act and the new Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG), which comes into force on June 28, 2025. These laws require that public institutions, including libraries, make their offerings barrier-free and thus comply with the 2009 UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The discussions and results of the upcoming congress will take an important step towards improving inclusion in libraries. The aim is to enable broader participation for all people and to further develop libraries into a place for exchange across society.