Championing Access: How School Libraries Drive Equity with Technology

School libraries are powerful hubs for equity, bridging the gap between access and opportunity for all learners. Guided by the ALA’s Library Bill of Rights, school librarians ensure equitable access to resources, programs, and facilities while upholding intellectual freedom. In today’s digital age, accessibility also means ensuring that documents, websites, and digital platforms are designed so every learner—and their family—can fully participate.This session will highlight how librarians can lead accessibility efforts through physical, intellectual, and digital access. Drawing from the F.R.E.S.H. Reads DoDEA grant in Hoke County Schools, we’ll showcase a family-focused accessibility initiative launched at literacy nights designed to serve both civilian and military-connected families. These events model accessible design practices—such as using alt text, captions, and plain language in everyday communications—while also introducing inclusive tools like audiobooks, Sora, and Beanstack. For military families, who often face deployment cycles and relocation, these practices ensure continuity of access to literacy resources wherever they are.Participants will leave with a toolkit of accessibility strategies that can be implemented in schools, libraries, and community programs to ensure equitable access for all learners and their families.