The MIT Center for Research on Equitable and Open Scholarship (CREOS) is proud to host  A National Forum on Principles of Accessibility and Inclusion for the Design of Library Systems -- focusing on the role of library information systems and information architecture in supporting diverse communities to discover, access, create, and learn from library collections in support of library services in the United States. This one-and-a-half-day event, funded by the Institute of Museum of Library Services will convene approximately 25 librarians, scholars, and technologists with the aim of identifying high-impact design principles and potential next steps for libraries that adopt and deploy these systems, and for the software architects that design them.

The forum event will take place on the campus of MIT, in Cambridge, Massachusetts from April 11-12, 2019. Our grant funds will cover participant travel costs, meals during the event, and lodging. We seek to learn from and build on current ideas from those working and thinking in and around the topics of information systems design, accessibility, and inclusion -- especially in the areas of principles of design for difference/universal design, adaptations for users physical and cognitive disabilities and need;adaptation for neurodiverse user communities; accessibility by users in the global south;  and application of new technologies to enrich individual and social access to library collections both digital and tangible. If you are actively working in the design, implementation, or use of library systems in these areas we especially want to hear from you. (And while space in the physical workshop is limited, we have planned other opportunities for comment and input. So please let us know if you are interested in commenting in this area even if you do not wish to attend.)

The workshop will be a small, active working event -- focused on identifying principles, practices, standards, and research that will inform a draft report for public comment. The expected outcome is a white paper a informed by this workshop  that will characterize major barriers in design and systems implementation that inhibit inclusion and adaptation; to identify high-impact design principles for universal/adaptive information systems that are accepted or emerging in the broader community; describe existing approaches and methods for applying these principles to library information systems; and for the architects and developers that that create these systems, and for libraries that adopt , adapted, and deploy these systems, .

To apply, please email the project co-director <[log in to unmask]> to state your interest in participating in this event, and to briefly describe the perspective you would bring to the workshop. A limited pool of resources for domestic travel support is available for those who require it to attend. The call for participation will be open until March 1st. Our project team will then review the applications and respond by March 5 .

We are working to create a culture of diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility throughout the duration of the project and especially during the forum event. We strongly encourage applications from those who identify with traditionally underrepresented or marginalized populations.

For questions or feedback, please contact Project Co-Director, Micah Altman. <[log in to unmask]>

We look forward to reading your application.

Micah Altman

Writing on behalf of the program committee,

Micah Altman & Chris Bourg  -- MIT
Sari Altschuler, Julia Flanders & Amanda Rust -- Northeastern University
David Weimer -- Harvard University