Creating a Neuroinclusive Library

CoLRiC – the Council for Learning Resources in Colleges – would like to share an article recently published in the Winter edition of CoLRiC Impact, our quarterly member publication.

It’s entitled ‘Creating a neuroinclusive library’ and written by Charlie Parkinson, Library Learning Facilitator at Bradford College. It provides fascinating insight into the topic from a further education context.

To create an ‘inclusive, innovative and inspirational environment’, Charlie emphasises the necessity to consider ‘the challenges faced by neurodivergent staff to discover ways of improving working environments for all. How can we create a neuroinclusive environment and ensure equity for neurodivergent staff working in information services?’ Charlie’s article is the first in a two-part series exploring this crucial question.

The Council for Learning Resources in Colleges (CoLRiC) is an independent organisation representing Further Education and Sixth Form College library services and learning resource professionals across the UK. We influence the development of quality assurance standards, showcasing exemplary practice and innovation. We were established in 1993 as an independent, not for profit organisation on the premise that library and learning resource services are integral to contributing to curricular delivery and a high-quality teaching, learning and student experience.

All our member Colleges have access to a portfolio of CoLRiC publications and resources. These include:

• Free attendance at regular online seminars, Q&A forums and presentations
• Four issues of our publication CoLRiC Impact over an academic year, featuring articles authored by members, partners and industry experts. The publication showcases examples of organisational good practice, research, case studies, resource updates, local projects, professional profiles and news
• Opportunities to participate in our private members’ discussion forum where colleagues benefit from a supportive sharing and learning environment, exchanging news, information, ideas and experiences, asking questions, eliciting feedback on a topic, initiating research projects or sharing documents for discussion
• Advice and guidance on evidencing service value, impact and demonstrating return on investment
• Support and peer consultancy on quality assurance and the self-assessment of your library and learning resource service using a rigorous CoLRiC Quality Assurance Framework that engages the entire organisation, including senior managers, teaching and professional services support staff
• Eligibility to submit nominations for two high profile national awards: the CoLRiC Innovative Practice Award (CIPA) and the CoLRiC Jeff Cooper Inspirational Information Professional of the Year Award
• Professional development opportunities for colleagues through volunteering to participate in CoLRiC activities and projects
• CoLRiC MediaWatch: an especially compiled and edited overview of news stories, research projects and developments from across the education and library sectors.