The Outreach Services Department of the St. Charles Public Library facilitates Library usage for patrons with special needs or circumstances. Special needs include, but are not limited to, visual, mobility, or hearing impairments.

Outreach Services staff provides information and referral and delivers materials to participating senior facilities, nursing homes, and individuals who are permanently or temporarily homebound. Outreach also maintains paperback swaps at participating locations in the Library District. These paperback swaps are designed to provide no-cost reading materials to residents of multi-unit facilities such as AMLI, Wessel Court, and Covington Court.

To address visual impairments the Library offers:

• Large print books & other materials
• Magnifiers & other tools to increase independence of those with low vision
• Audiobooks in a variety of formats
• Information and referral to services of interest to those with low vision
• ZoomText magnification software on Library computers
• Magnification options for the Library’s web pages and publications
• Quarterly large print newsletter, At Large…news for large print readers
• Audio versions of the Kane County Chronicle, the City newsletter From the Den, and the Library newsletters Info to Go and At Large…news for large print readers

Addressing mobility impairments the Library offers:

• Sundance Scooter for use in the Library
• Wheelchair for use in the Library
• Adjustable computer table in Adult Services
• Accessible aisles and elevators to all levels
• Delivery options for those who are unable to get to the Library

For the hearing impaired, the Library offers:

• TDD (Telephone Device for the Deaf) on a direct line, 630-584-0961
• Circulating TDD, to borrow for home use
• Closed captioning on videorecordings whenever possible
• Sign language interpreter for programs, when request is made in advance
• Use of hearing aid compatible amplification system in the Meeting Room, with advance request

For more information about these services, Ask Outreach Services!

Copyright 2008 • St Charles Public Library, One South 6th Ave, St Charles, IL 60174 • www.stcharleslibrary.org