Barrier Free Manitoba

Kudos to Manitoba's Public Library Branch for the leadership it has demonstrated in developing the draft Customer Service Toolkit for Libraries. Beyond materials developed by the Disability Issues Office (DIO), this is the first such resource that has come to our attention that is designed to help public sector organizations comply with the landmark Accessibiity for Manitobans Act and the Customer Service Standard.

And even better, the branch is asking for community feedback to make improvements before the toolkit is finalized.

Here's an excerpt from the email the branch sent to us yesterday:

In communities across Manitoba, libraries play an essential role in providing access to information and act as an important meeting place for community members. To support libraries in providing universal access and, in compliance with the Accessibility for Manitobans Act and the Customer Service Standard Regulations, the Public Library Services Branch developed a Customer Service Toolkit for Libraries.

The purpose of the document is to provide libraries with sample policies and processes which can support them in delivering services to members of their community, who may have never used the library in the past. Our goal is to ensure that the toolkit meets the needs of libraries and is responsive to the needs of the disability community across Manitoba. In order to accomplish this goal, we are releasing a review draft of the document for your feedback. Please review the attached document and provide any suggestions you may have by February 29th, 2016 to pls@gov.mb.ca or by mail to the following address:

Public Library Services Branch
300-1011 Rosser Avenue,
Brandon, MB R7A OL5

Click here to download a PDF of the draft toolkit.

If you have questions about the toolkit, or require any assistance, contact Les Corbay, the branch's Library Accessibility Consultant by email at Leslie.Corbay@gov.mb.ca or by calling 1-855-856-3685 toll free.