| Support Libraries | “The kids have learned that having a disability doesn’t mean you can’t do something. You just have to do it a little differently.”
Shay Casey is a volunteer at the Roddenbery Memorial Library in Cairo, Georgia, where she recently led a paint-pouring class as part of the teen craft cafe program.
Casey stands in front of the library’s anime and manga collection.
Ahead of the class, Casey tested the paint and made samples for participants. Her preparation looks different than that of many other volunteers, because she was born with optic nerve hypoplasia.
The optic nerve connects the eyes to the brain and sends light signals, which allows you to see. Casey’s condition means this nerve is underdeveloped, causing her to have severely low vision.
“For little kids, I say I just can’t see very well. For adults, basically the same thing, but I tell them my optic nerves are underdeveloped and after about eight feet it’s like looking through cheap wax paper,” said Casey.
To read the labels on the small paint bottles, Casey holds each bottle roughly three inches from her face and uses a handheld digital magnifier.
Casey poured paint onto her canvas, scraped it with wooden popsicle sticks, and then tilted the canvas. Carefully, she held it up to her face to get a glimpse of the pattern she made.
After carefully examining her paint-poured canvas, Casey walks without her cane to a nearby counter and places the canvas on it to dry.
She usually uses a cane when walking, but she has become very familiar with the layout of the library and rarely uses it there.
Being legally blind does not stop her from doing what she loves, including making art and crafts, reading manga, or enjoying anime. It was her interest in anime and manga that led her to become a volunteer at the library.
When the library hosted an anime club geared toward teens, Casey, who was 28 years old at the time, expressed her interest and the library decided she would make a great volunteer.
“Back when I first moved down here, my dad handed me a flier for the anime club. I don’t think he read the fine print that said it was for teenagers,” recalled Casey.
She has been volunteering at the library since 2021 and works closely with Michelle Semones, the teen coordinator. While she primarily volunteers for teen programming, she also helps out with family programming and shelving.
Casey’s ability to overcome the challenges of her disability is very helpful to the teens who regularly attend library programs, several of whom also have disabilities or medical conditions, said Semones.
“The kids have learned that having a disability doesn’t mean you can’t do something. You just have to do it a little differently,” said Semones. “You’re not a victim of your disability. Shay shows you can be a victor by doing it differently.”
“If I think of the library, I think of her,” said Jordan, 17. “Shay just lights up the room and motivates me to push past my own struggles and live my best life.”
Casey said volunteering has boosted her confidence.
“I’ve come out of my shell quite a bit. I love working with the people here,” said Casey. “I’ve found that I’m more capable of doing more than I realized.”
Even though her vision can present challenges when creating art or doing other tasks, she is known for her positive attitude. The teens she works with have appreciated Casey’s help and presence at the library.
“If I think of the library, I think of her,” said Jordan, 17. “Shay just lights up the room and motivates me to push past my own struggles and live my best life.”
Janet Boudet, the library’s director, recognizes that Casey and other patrons with disabilities have influenced how the library approaches accessibility. This includes making sure there is enough room between furniture so individuals can easily navigate through the building, as well as making sure the library provides tools to improve access to its materials and services.
Casey guides Danica, a library teen, through the paint-pouring process and teaches her about the different tools and techniques used to make designs.
“It opens your eyes, literally opens your eyes, to what someone may not be able to see or do and that a library has to be accessible,” said Boudet.
The handheld digital magnifier that Casey uses is one of the tools at the library to help patrons easily access materials.
Other items include high-contrast keyboards, large print rulers, and page readers.
“Tools and devices from Georgia Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, as well as Georgia Public Library Service tech grants, assist us in making the library accessible to everyone. Many of these devices would be more than we could afford,” said Boudet.
Georgia Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled supports libraries in providing accessible resources to ensure every patron can enjoy and participate in what their local libraries have to offer.
“Our team engages with communities that may benefit from our offerings, ensuring that no one is left behind due to barriers to access,” said Brandi Robertson, Georgia Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled outreach librarian. “Shay’s story shows that libraries are for everyone at every phase of their lives.”
“Shay is just so positive and her attitude is contagious! And you think ‘If she can do this, I certainly can do whatever it is that’s challenging me at the moment,’” said Boudet.
In the future, Casey hopes to pursue her passion for art and become a graphic designer. She is currently working with Semones to plan the library’s teen Summer Reading Program.
Learn more about Georgia Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled at gls.georgialibraries.org.
Do you have a talent to share? Libraries are often in need of volunteers who can give their time or talent. Reach out to your local library to see how you may be able to assist.
