This summer, the Library was thrilled to have Marcos and Mohammed join us as part of a multi-week summer paid program focused on career preparation for Washington’s blind and visually impaired young people. They helped out in the LEAP department, made zines that are being added to the ZAPP collection, and learned a lot about the Library. Here is what they shared about their time here.
Marcos: What I Learned as a Library Insider
As a student in the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind’s YES II Program, I spent six weeks with the Library Equal Access Program (LEAP) staff at the Library. Before this, I usually didn’t go to libraries as I couldn’t read that well due to my vision. When I used to think of who worked at libraries, I just thought of librarians and maybe some background workers. This summer I learned of many interesting departments and jobs that I didn’t think a library would have.
The LEAP program provides equal access to library services for patrons with disabilities. Providing accessibility to the various aspects that accumulate to make the library the way it is today. They add captioning, provide assistive technology, host book club meetings, make sure accommodations are met, and more.
The library even has social workers who help people who come in asking questions or needing help. The department is a bridge to services that can help directly. There’s so many other different jobs and areas of work that I hadn’t thought of. Gardening, security, truck drivers, communications, building maintenance, the staff scheduling office, marketing, and more.
The library is bigger than we know with a variety of people all working together to provide relevant and interesting services.
Mohammed: New to Seattle? Start at the Library!
Coming to a new city like Seattle all by myself was difficult. I didn’t know anyone or even know how to use public transportation. I came to this city as part of the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind’s YES II Program, which is a program for students ages 16-21 with low vision. This program is made to teach you how to live in a big city by yourself and build job skills. I got placed at the library with their Library Equal Access Program (LEAP) and it has been pretty fun to learn about what the Library can help people with:
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- There is an Ask Us page that you can go to ask any question to help you find the answer and learn about living in Seattle.
- You can use the public computers with internet connection.
- There are volunteers to help you file your taxes during tax season.
- The library also has social workers that you can talk with, to get advice on something or a recommendation or to get connected with an organization that works closely with the library.
- There are events that happen at the library to help you meet new people and learn more about the community.
- At the library you can find books about the history of your new community and about the city in general.
- There are also resources to find a job, or volunteering opportunities.
There are 26 branches of the library across Seattle, so no matter where you live there will be a library close to you. I found all these resources and services helpful for someone who is living in Seattle for the first time.
Thank you so much to our wonderful interns!
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