Libraries of technical universities supporting higher education of impaired persons (based on the example of the Main Library of AGH)

Abstract

This article presents issues associated with the practical aspects of facilitating (as well as including in) the process of acquiring a university education by the impaired persons.  The topic was analysed and discussed according to the type of impairment.  The role of libraries that support technical universities within the above-mentioned context was underlined. The activities of the Main Library of AGH in Krakow concerning the provision of suitable and adequate information and literature were discussed in greater detail.  The co-operation with the Office for the Impaired Persons of the AGH ( the entity within the University acting for the impaired) along with the Laboratory of Tyfloinformatics of the University’s Digital Information Centre was also presented. The issues concerning adequate training of librarians and other university staff were discussed.  Such training is indispensable in the staff’s preparation to act as liasons for the impaired persons pursuing higher education, in their search for required material.  The future goals were set forth as a result of the deliberations – showing possible actions and solutions for the facilitation of the education of impaired persons at technical universities.