Services for Persons with Disabilities

It is the goal of the Brooklyn College Library to provide equal access to information for all CUNY students, faculty and staff. For those with disabilities, the Library can make special provisions to facilitate all activities.

Wheelchair Access

The front entrance of the Library is wheelchair accessible. All levels of the Library are accessible by the public elevator.

Telephones: Second floor and sheltered walkway between Library and Whitehead Hall. Campus telephone at entrance of Library.

Restroom: Lower level.

CUNY+: Wheelchair accessible terminals are located on the lower level, first floor and on the second floor in the LaGuardia Reading Room. Ask for assistance at the Information Services desk on the first floor.

Book Retrieval

For retrieval of books or materials, please ask the nearest staff member for assistance. He or she will be pleased to retrieve the material for you. Please make your request at least 45 minutes prior to closing. If you cannot find a staff member nearby, go to the Circulation desk on the first floor for assistance.

Photocopying

For those who qualify, photocopying is done free of charge in the Copy Center with a "PHOTOCOPYING CARD." To obtain a card, please make an appointment with the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities in Personal Counseling and Career Services, 1303 James, 951-5363.

Reference Assistance

Persons with disabilities may receive reference assistance upon request any time at the Information Services desk. If extensive assistance is required students are advised to make an appointment with the Library Coordinator of Services for Persons with Disabilities by calling 951-5335. Telephone reference assistance is also available by calling the Library Coordinator of Services for Persons with Disabilities.

Reserve Material

Library Reserve Material is lent out for very brief periods of time. The loan periods may be extended either to copy material for use with the adaptive equipment or for use at home. To make arrangements for extended loan periods call the Head of Information Services at 951-5342 or the Library Coordinator for Services with Disabilities at 951-5335.

Interlibrary Loan

Undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities may request books, articles from periodicals, and documents that are not owned by the Brooklyn College Library through interlibrary loan. You may pick up a form for an interlibrary loan request at the Information Services desk on the first floor. Complete the form and return it to the Information Services desk. You may also send an e-mail request to ILLBC@CUNYVM. You will be notified when the material arrives. For further information about interlibrary loan you may call 951-4414.

Alternate Formats

All Library announcements and printed guides are available in audiotape, braille and diskette. These alternative formats are available in the office of the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities, 1303 James, 951-5363.

Circulation

Please see the Circulation Supervisor or the Access Services Librarian at the Circulation desk to arrange to renew materials via the telephone.

Adaptive Equipment

The following types of speech, magnifying and print equipment are available on the first floor of the Library. To arrange for training in the use of the Library's adaptive equipment, and instruction in the use of CUNY+ and other Library databases, call Miriam Deutch at 951-5335 or Barbara Scheele at 951-5276.

The Reading Edge: The Reading Edge scans books, recognizes the text, converts the text to synthesized speech and reads it aloud. Headphones and a cassette recorder are available for use with The Reading Edge. Please ask at the Information Services desk for the additional equipment. Call the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities at 951-5363 to arrange for training to use The Reading Edge.

DECtalk and VocalEyes speech synthesizer programs: These programs convert text from CUNY+ and CD-ROM database screens into speech. Call the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities at 951-5363 to arrange for training to use DECtalk and VocalEyes.

Vista and ZoomText computer enlargement systems: These systems magnify each line, window or screen of CUNY+ and all library CD- ROM databases.

Colored Closed Circuit Television System: This closed circuit system magnifies any text and graphic materials in full color onto a viewing monitor.

Room For Reading Aloud

Please ask at the Information Services desk on the first floor of the Library for access to a room for reading aloud. For additional information about services for persons with disabilities, call the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities, 1303 James, 951-5363 or the Library Coordinator of Services for Persons with Disabilities at 951-5335.