Document Type

Presentation

Presentation Date

11-12-2025

Abstract or Description

In today's interconnected world, the ability to communicate distress goes beyond language and cultural differences. This presentation introduces a human-centered library service approach that addresses the urgent need for a universal understanding of help-seeking instruments applicable now and in the future.

The proposed checklist-driven method combines empathetic design, staff training, multimodal signage, and community collaboration to overcome language, cultural, and accessibility barriers. Key elements include standardized visual symbols aligned with recognized international distress and help signals, tactile and auditory formats for patrons with sensory impairments, and multilingual text paired with pictograms to minimize confusion.

By emphasizing human-centered design principles, the checklist ensures that safety information is accessible, clear, and culturally sensitive. It could serve as a comprehensive guide for library practitioners to incorporate essential safety information into their services, helping patrons stay informed and prepared for emergencies.

By prioritizing human needs and co-designing solutions with the communities they serve, libraries can transform into safer, more responsive public spaces where distress signals are universally recognized and help is readily available. This checklist model provides a scalable framework for libraries worldwide to enhance equity, preparedness, and trust in crisis communication.

Additional Information

Georgia Southern University faculty members, Jessica Garner and Kay Coates co-presented Human-centered Capabilities: The Library-Service Approach Checklist in the Health Science Librarians of Illinois Annual Conference, November 2025.

Sponsorship/Conference/Institution

Health Science Librarians of Illinois Annual Conference: Navigating the Future Now

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