Service to Patrons with Disabilities

One of the purposes of the Outreach Services Program is to extend library service to patrons for whom the Library or standard services and materials are inaccessible for reasons other than inconvenience. The program must be consonant with the library’s goals and objectives; special services are to be clearly library-related.

The Outreach Services Librarian is responsible for service to patrons with special needs, both in the Library and in the form of extension and outreach services.

Services to patrons with disabilities will include:

• Service to elderly: Delivery and development of collection dealing with the needs of the elderly.
• Offsite deposit collection maintenance at selected sites.
• Homebound service to patrons with temporary or permanent physical impairments.
• Service to the institutionalized (nursing homes, hospitals, special schools).
• Coordination of BPH (blind and physically handicapped) materials and equipment (Library of Congress Talking Books Program).
• Large print collection: Selection and maintenance.
• Assistive devices, such as TDD and magnifiers.
• Preparation of bibliographies dealing with special patrons.
• Assisting in the development of a collection of materials dealing with special needs (physical or mental impairment due to age or condition). (Selection is actually done by others.)
• Publicizing the existence and nature of the special services program to appropriate individuals and groups through local media, preparation and distribution of brochures, and regular contact with local clubs and service organizations and private and public social agencies.
• I & R File of resources for patrons with special needs.
• Sick kids kits. (Youth Services Department.)
• Audiovisual collection including learning games, bi-folkal and reminiscence kits, and captioned and described videotapes.
• Organizing local volunteers to record the “Kane County Chronicle,” and city and library publications as requested.
• Cooperation with local, private and public agencies to increase awareness of service, and to avoid duplication with other agencies.
• Publication of “At Large.”

Special accommodations needed for attending programs will be made. Requests for an accommodation must be made 48 hours in advance of the programs, using the “Special Accommodations Request Form.” (Attached)

Patrons are encouraged to bring areas of inaccessibility in Library programs, services, and facilities to the attention of the Director. An “Accessibility” form is available. (Attached)

The St. Charles Public Library makes every effort to comply in practice and spirit with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Adopted: 6/10/87
Revised: 4/24/89
Revised: 4/3/98