Inclusive academic libraries in the 21st Century: a comparative study of Mzuzu University Library and St. John of God of Health Sciences Library in Mzuzu, Malawi

Provision of library services to all users without discrimination is crucial to libraries in this century. Inclusive academic libraries provide services to all users regardless users’ disabilities. They enhance access and increase meeting the needs of all library users. The purpose of this study was to determine how inclusive are library services to the physically challenged students at Mzuzu University Library and St. John of God College of Health Sciences Library and how are these services similar or different. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from library staff and students at Mzuzu University and St. John of God College of Health Sciences and semi-structured interview questions were used to collect data from Librarians in both institutions. Observation checklist was also used to identify the physical infrastructures, media formats, and services provided in both institutions. The findings revealed that visual impairment was the major physical challenge amongst students in both institutions. Although physical infrastructures like ramps were available in both institutions, there is no policy that guides provision of library services to physically challenged students in both institutions. The study therefore concludes that inclusive library services provided to physically challenged students are limited in both institutions due to lack of policies. The study, therefore, recommends that both institutions need to take proactive measures in development of policies that can guide the provision of library services to physically challenged students.