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DPLI at KHL

We collaborate with library workers to bring dyslexic positivity, cultural competency, and evidence-based literacy to libraries. Provide practical, affordable, ready-to-go resources.

Mission

To make every United States public library dyslexic positive by removing barriers to literacy for neurodiverse patrons and building the cultural competency in libraries. Empower library workers to think like reading scientists and develop programming through a neurodiverse lens while providing practical, affordable, ready-to-go resources through collaborative relationships adaptable to meet every community’s needs. DPLI is explicitly dyslexic and neurodiverse positive, and believes all can learn to read.

Who We Are

Emily Carley, M.Ed., M.Ed. Lic. PK-12 Literacy Specialist

Nicole Westbom, M.L.I.S., Head Youth Librarian

Susan Whitehead, M.L.S., Academic Librarian, Dyslexic

Our Founding Story

Libraries are for everyone! For some people this feels very obvious and for others the library community feels like a space in which they don’t yet belong. In March 2024, Emily Carley, M.Ed. VTHQT Lic. Specialized Literacy Professional PK-12, Public Education Literacy Specialist and Founder, The Literacy Spark along with Nicole Westbom, Head Youth Librarian Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier VT and Susan Whitehead, Business, Math and Technology Librarian for CCV and VSCS Libraries noticed a gap between dyslexic cultural competency, the lived experiences of neurodiverse people and evidence-based literacy in public libraries. The Dyslexic Positive Libraries Initiative was founded to engage and support library workers with affordable, practical and ready-to-use resources to become skilled allies to the dyslexic community and turn their libraries into Literacy Hubs so all can learn to read.

DPLI team

Presentations & Publications

International Dyslexia Association Conference, DyslexiaCon25. (2025,
October 23-25). Neuroinclusive Practices: When Access to Literacy
Affirms Identity and Feels Like Belonging All Can Learn! (Poster
Presentation). Atlanta, GA.

Mello, Mary. (2025, July 31). A New Mission for Libraries: Supporting
Children With Dyslexia (Newspaper Article). The Bridge.

American Library Association Annual Conference. (2025, June 29).
Creating Dyslexic-Positive Libraries (Poster Presentation).
Philadelphia, PA.

American Library Association Annual Conference. (2025, June 28).
Creating Dyslexic-Positive Libraries: 8 Practical Ways to Decrease
Discrimination and Increase Equitable Access to Information
(Presentation). Philadelphia, PA.

Vermont Library Association (VLA) Annual Conference. (2025, May 19).
Welcoming the Dyslexic Community Into Your Library (Presentation).
Killington, VT.

Vermont Library Association Annual Conference. (2024, May 20).
Creating Dyslexic-Positive Libraries (Presentation). Killington, VT.