Institution: University of Bologna
Name of the tool: University libraries as places of socialization
Key actors: Students with special needs
Students
Technical staff
State of the tool: Consolidated
Student's areas involved: Studying
Dealing with professor and administrative staff
Peers relations
Social life
Description of the tool:

An important library at Bologna University specifically pursues the goal of facilitating the socialization among its users and frequenters. This mainly happens trough a friendly and helpful (as well as respectful) attitude by the library's staff at all levels. Such a climate, favour the socialization of the overall users and especially of those with special needs or situations (students and not). 

This tool perfectly represents the case of an attitude not just focused on people with special needs but valuable for them and for the general population of users.

User manual:

The approval and also the support of the library's managers is of course required. A basic fundamental training on disability, inclusion and dealing with special needs to libraries staff may be suitable, but not compulsory. A good attention should be dedicated also to accessibility and physical barriers, in order to allow students with special needs to stay and use the libraries' resources, together with the rest of the users.