Embark on a journey with us to better understand yourself and others. Take time this month to celebrate and learn about the histories, contributions, and current experiences of those around you.
The stories highlighted here act as windows into other cultures and mirrors of our own experiences. Source: By Rudine Sims Bishop, The Ohio State University. "Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors" originally appeared in Perspectives: Choosing and Using Books for the Classroom. Vo. 6, no. 3. Summer 1990.
Featured Events for Disability Pride Month (July)
Disability Pride: Flags and Facts
Jul 1st - Jul 31st | All day
Learn more about disability and show your pride with buttons and coloring sheets.
Annie Sullivan | Women in History
Jul 19th | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Enjoy a performance about Annie Sullivan - Helen Keller's teacher by Anne McEvoy from Women in History.
Featured Services for Disability Pride Month (July)
Motorized Scooter & Rollator (Rolling Walker with Basket)
Available to borrow for in-library use. Located in the atrium.
Equity First: Path to Inclusion & Belonging (Online Course)
Mary-Frances discusses gender equality, racial and ethnic equity, sexual orientation equity, and equity for people with disabilities.
Interpretation Services
Includes: Af-Soomaali (Somali), American Sign Language (ASL), नेपाली (Nepali), Português (Portuguese), Español (Spanish).
Inclusion & Equity for Workers with Disabilities (Course)
Advocate and Paralympic gold medalist Liz Johnson details the actions your organization can take to ensure equity for disabled employees.
Imagination Library: Braille & Audio Options
Get free braille or audiobooks for ages 0-5 thanks to Ohio Governor's Imagination Library, and The American Printing House for the Blind.
Accessibility Options for Digital Newspapers
Learn how to access accessibility tools using the library's digital newspaper service, PressReader.
Reusable Writing Tablets for Communication
If you are unable to communicate vocally, staff can chat with you in written form via Boogie Board® tablets. Available at service desks.
Service Animals Permitted
Per library policy, service animals are permitted inside the building.
Accessibility Lending Library
Get materials & technology for those with low vision, auditory processing disorders, or on the spectrum sent directly to your home for free.
Special Arrangements for a Library Event or Service
Please request special arrangements within at least 5 days advance notice.
Ohio Library for the Blind & Print Disabled
Apply to receive library materials and equipment delivered and returned through the mail free of charge.
Accessibility Options for eBooks
Learn how to increase text size, use screen readers, turn on dyslexic font, increase contrast, and more using OverDrive's Libby app.
Fairchild Hall: So You Think You Know Westerville?
Explore a semi-abandoned building off Sunbury Road called Fairchild Hall, which used to be the Ohio Home for the Aged & Infirm Deaf.
Accessibility Station
For those with low vision, this computer offers mouse & keyboard control, a high-contrast & screen magnifier (20x), text-to-speech & more.
Home Deliveries
Get library books, movies and more, delivered to your home for free. Available for seniors, homebound, temporarily disabled and caregivers.
Featured Collections for Disability Pride Month (July)
Accessible Home & Garden
These books are for people with various types of disabilities to address accessibility issues at home, in the kitchen or garden.
Disability & Accessibility Awareness (eBooks)
Explore the importance of advocates for people with disabilities through insightful books & the need for accessibility for everyone.
Celebrate Disability Pride Month (Libby)
Celebrate this month by reading or listening to stories that elevate, empower, and reflect bodies and minds of all kinds.
Disability Pride Month Audiobooks & CDs
Disability Pride is celebrated every July and is an opportunity to honor the history, achievements & struggles of the disability community.
Disability Pride Month Films
July marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, landmark legislation that broke down barriers to inclusion in society.
Celebrate Disability Pride (Teen)
Celebrate Disability Pride with these fiction and nonfiction reads about people with disabilities.
Celebrate Disability Pride (For Kids and Families)
Celebrate Disability Pride with these fiction and nonfiction reads about people with disabilities.
Schneider Family Book Award
Honors an author/illustrator for work that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child & adolescent audiences.
Reads for Disability Pride Month
Celebrate people with disabilities. Read these books of fiction & nonfiction.
Stories for Every Voice (Bingepass)
This collection amplifies underrepresented voices and explores themes of identity, culture, resilience, and belonging. Ages 4-11.
Disability Pride Month (Audiobooks & CDs)
Disability Pride Month is celebrated in July to honor the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community.
Disability Pride Month Films
Disability Pride Month is celebrated in July to honor the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community.
Movies with Audio Descriptions
Browse movies with short verbal descriptions of scenes inserted between the dialogue.
Sensory Kits
Lessen sensory overload while at the library with this kit. Designed for all ages, though some items may fit better on kids.
Disability Pride Month (CDs)
Disability Pride Month is celebrated in July to honor the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community.
Disability Pride Month (Audiobooks)
Disability Pride Month is celebrated in July to honor the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community.
2026 Schedule of Celebrations
- February: Black History Month
- March: Women's History Month
- April: Arab American Heritage Month
- May: Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month & Jewish American Heritage Month
- June: LGBTQ+ Pride Month
- July: Disability Pride Month
- September: Hispanic Latino Heritage Month
- November: Native American Heritage Month
Stories for Every Voice (Bingepass)
This collection amplifies underrepresented voices and explores themes of identity, culture, resilience, and belonging. Ages 4-11.
Gabriela Cámara Teaches Mexican Cooking (Online Course)
Celebrated chef Gabriela Cámara shares her approach to making Mexican food that brings people together: simple ingredients, exceptional care
Libby: Hispanic & Latino Heritage Month Picks
Hispanic Heritage Month is the perfect time to discover new voices and celebrate powerful storytelling.
Hispanic Heritage Month (Streaming Movies)
Enjoy a curated collection of films that honor Hispanic heritage, while showcasing the richness & diversity of Hispanic stories & cultures.
Stories for Every Voice (Bingepass)
This collection amplifies underrepresented voices and explores themes of identity, culture, resilience, and belonging. Ages 4-11.
Gabriela Cámara Teaches Mexican Cooking (Online Course)
Celebrated chef Gabriela Cámara shares her approach to making Mexican food that brings people together: simple ingredients, exceptional care
Libby: Hispanic & Latino Heritage Month Picks
Hispanic Heritage Month is the perfect time to discover new voices and celebrate powerful storytelling.
Hispanic Heritage Month (Streaming Movies)
Enjoy a curated collection of films that honor Hispanic heritage, while showcasing the richness & diversity of Hispanic stories & cultures.
About This Initiative
The Westerville Public Library’s intention with this initiative is to reflect our diverse community, encourage acceptance, promote respect, expand understanding, amplify a wide range of voices, and energize community conversations. Suggestions for future celebrations welcome.Â
Heritage in this context is intended to encompass the people, places, and things that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Diverse Voices
Browse titles with perspectives & experiences of people from different backgrounds. Curated by Columbus Metropolitan Library.
Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (online course)
Explore this belonging approach, and discover how to activate it in your organization.
CultureGrams
Discover cultures of the world. Go beyond the basic facts and figures with local perspectives on more than 200 countries
Unconscious Bias (online course)
Founder/CEO of Rework Work Stacey Gordon reveals the most common forms of unconscious bias and teaches skills to effectively address them.
Diverse Voices
Browse titles with perspectives & experiences of people from different backgrounds. Curated by Columbus Metropolitan Library.
Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (online course)
Explore this belonging approach, and discover how to activate it in your organization.
CultureGrams
Discover cultures of the world. Go beyond the basic facts and figures with local perspectives on more than 200 countries
Unconscious Bias (online course)
Founder/CEO of Rework Work Stacey Gordon reveals the most common forms of unconscious bias and teaches skills to effectively address them.
Kristen C.
When she’s not working with kids here at the library, you might find her on the bike trail or baking up a sweet treat.
Mindy B.
Mindy will always bring a smile to your face, even when she's concentrating on finding hard-to-get-your-hands-on books and journal articles.
Thomas S.
Fun and friendly, Thomas is often out-and-about, bringing entertainment and energy to community events around Westerville.
Aneeza P.
Aneeza is curious about people, cultures, communities, and social and organizational structures.
Kristen C.
When she’s not working with kids here at the library, you might find her on the bike trail or baking up a sweet treat.
Mindy B.
Mindy will always bring a smile to your face, even when she's concentrating on finding hard-to-get-your-hands-on books and journal articles.
Thomas S.
Fun and friendly, Thomas is often out-and-about, bringing entertainment and energy to community events around Westerville.
Aneeza P.
Aneeza is curious about people, cultures, communities, and social and organizational structures.
