New spaces for inclusion and fruition: interventions financed with PNRR funds at the Library of the Novara ‘R. Fossaceca’ University Campus

Abstract

As part of the project ‘Removal of cognitive and sensory barriers in the Library of the Novara University Campus’, funded by Next Generation EU, the academic library at Novara of East Piedmont University has designed and implemented a series of interventions to promote accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities and special needs.

The library has made available various hardware and software tools, including screen readers, speech synthesizers, and assistive software programs. New services have been introduced based on augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to enable innovative engagement with the library’s collections.

The project also provided an opportunity to reflect on the organisation of library spaces, as well as the mission and identity of the library. The interventions are detailed, and a theoretical reference framework is provided.