Serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing Patrons
“The following resources are organized into general categories:
Each resource description is linked to the original webpage for easy access.
Learn about ASL and Deaf/HOH People
The video “What is ASL?” from the ASL education and Deaf culture advocate YouTube Channel ASL THAT! explains some key points of Deaf history and the importance of Deaf access to ASL and other sign languages.
This factsheet by Disability:IN and the Inclusion Plus Institute defines ableism and audism and explores examples of these oppressive perspectives and specific ways to dismantle them in ourselves and our organizations.
The American Library Association (ALA)’s Programming Librarian blog includes an interview by Hannah Arata (2022) with members of the Friends of Libraries for Deaf Action (FOLDA) about an upcoming library toolkit, Deaf advocacy in libraries, and misconceptions about the Deaf community.
Communication Tips
The ALA Accessibility Assembly developed a resource for library staff serving Deaf and HOH patrons. This resource also includes links to key Deaf advocacy and information organizations.
The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) lists several communication tips for folks working with HOH patrons, as well as tips for folks who are hard of hearing. It also provides examples of assistive technologies and situations that may be challenging for HOH patrons to communicate in.
FOLDA’s Deaf Cultural Resource Center lists specific, simple communication tips for non-signing library staff to use with Deaf patrons.
Building Deaf-friendly Libraries
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) provides a list of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sections which are relevant to public libraries. This allows for a simple perusal of the federal regulations for providing legally adequate service to Deaf and disabled patrons.
The ALA’s Public Programs Office developed a “Serving Patrons with Disabilities in Small and Rural Libraries” guide for a grant project. The guide explores concerns and practices specific to small and rural libraries, which frequently have fewer resources available to them than larger or urban libraries.
A collaboration between NAD and FOLDA, this kit supports programming around National Deaf History Month, including some history of the heritage month and considerations for libraries planning Deaf cultural programming.
The FOLDA Libraries Connect Communities toolkit is still being drafted but, as of this writing, includes important historical moments in Deaf history and many links to related Deaf organizations and websites.
This post was written by LSUCTC committee member Lee Cooney (they/them). They are a children’s librarian with a Masters in Library and Information Science from Kent State University. They live and work in the ancestral territory of the Onöndowa’ga:’ (Seneca) Nation, also called Rochester, NY.”
The 1930 Elson Basic Readers introducing Dick and Jane join the public domain, and their stories’ full texts and original artwork can be reused without limit.
Via The AI Report
“OpenAI launches Prism for scientific writing
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 Our Report
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| OpenAI has released Prism, an LLM-powered tool that embeds ChatGPT directly into a LaTeX text editor designed for scientists writing research papers. The tool, developed by OpenAI’s in-house team OpenAI for Science, aims to accelerate scientific workflows by integrating AI assistance into the writing process, similar to how coding assistants are embedded in programming editors. |
 Key Points
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- Prism incorporates GPT-5.2, OpenAI’s most advanced model for mathematical and scientific problem-solving, and can help scientists draft text, summarize related articles, manage citations, convert whiteboard photos into equations, and discuss hypotheses or mathematical proofs.
- OpenAI reports that approximately 1.3M scientists submit more than 8M weekly queries to ChatGPT on advanced science and math topics, signaling that AI has moved “from curiosity to core workflow for scientists.”
- OpenAI head of science Kevin Weil stated that “2026 will be for AI and science what 2025 was for AI in software engineering,” positioning the release as a response to growing scientific demand for AI-integrated tools.
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 Relevance
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| While some researchers worry the tool could contribute to AI-generated scientific content of questionable quality, OpenAI frames it as a productivity accelerator rather than a replacement for scientific discovery, banking on “10,000 advances in science” enabled by incremental AI assistance rather than one headline-grabbing breakthrough.” |
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OpenAI’s latest product lets you vibe code science
Prism is a ChatGPT-powered text editor that automates much of the work involved in writing scientific papers.
https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/01/27/1131793/openais-latest-product-lets-you-vibe-code-science/
Bookmobiles Bring Food, Internet, And Reading Materials
Bookmobiles may seem old-school, but they are still around and better than ever, offering new and unique services to connect with users.
https://action.everylibrary.org/bookmobiles_bring_food_internet_and_reading_materials
The IMLS Propaganda Machine Is In Full Swing
The agency overseeing U.S. libraries and museums is now full-on regime propaganda.
Cleveland, Ohio – Monday, January 26 – Libby and Kanopy recently released the results of its 2025 Higher Education Survey. The findings reveal a significant shift in student expectations, with nearly three-quarters of undergraduates identifying as visual or kinesthetic learners and 90% demanding course materials that reflect a diverse range of voices and experiences.
The quantitative study, which surveyed 500 U.S. undergraduates in September 2025, highlights a concerning “digital tool gap” in academia. While 87% of students agree that films and documentaries are critical for mastering course content, only 44% report that their institutions provide adequate digital tools for accessing movies, documentaries, or foreign films.
The survey also indicates that today’s students are moving away from passive learning. Key findings include:
- 84% of students prefer a dynamic learning environment that prioritizes discussion and video over traditional lectures.
- 89% of undergraduates want to demonstrate knowledge through projects and portfolios rather than traditional essays.
- 90% of students state that diverse representation in course materials is a core requirement, not a “bonus.”
Additional interesting info and data at:
Longest running study into open research practices shows strong researcher adoption, yet recognition gaps and regional variations remain
Longest running study into open research practices shows strong researcher adoption, yet recognition gaps and regional variations remain
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