Accessibility

Based on our survey, one of the main issues facing the New Adult when encountering Library resources is accessibility. Accessibility is hindered in a variety of ways such as: physical limitations, as well as time constraints.

For patrons with physical limitations, there are two libraries in New York State which serve patrons who have the inability to read standard print materials.

When patrons are limited by time, this can hinder a patron’s ability to visit a branch location to view and check out materials. For this reason, many of our locations offer e-library cards, e-books, and e-resources.

Resources - Physical Limitations:

Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library: https://www.nypl.org/locations/heiskell : The Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library provides free accessible reading material for patrons who are blind, visually impaired, or are otherwise physically unable to read standard print. Heiskell Library offers materials to borrow in a wide range of formats, including braille, talking books, and magazines, for users of all ages, as well as players and apps. Patrons can also find accessible programming and events, individual coaching in assistive technology, group workshops, braille study groups, the Dimensions Lab for tactile creation, and more. (Serves Library Patrons from Downstate NY including New York City and Long Island.)

New York State Braille and Talking Book Library: https://www.nysl.nysed.gov/tbbl/ : The New York State Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL) is a free library service for eligible residents of upstate New York who are unable to use standard print materials due to a visual, physical or reading disability. The TBBL collection includes print Braille books, and fiction and nonfiction audio and braille books, with over 70 magazine subscriptions available as well. (Serves Library Patrons from Upstate NY.)

Electronic Resources for Time Constrained Adults:

Here we provide a list of links for further information on e-books and resources provided by each library system:

New York Public Library: https://www.nypl.org/books-music-movies/ebookcentral (This resource is accessible to those who live, work, own property, or go to school in New York State.)

Brooklyn Public Library: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/borrow/ebooks-audiobooks

(This resource is accessible to those who live, work, own property, or go to school in New York State.)

Queens Public Library: https://www.queenslibrary.org/help/how-to-access-digital-media/eBooks

(This resource is accessible to those who live, work, own property, or go to school in New York State.)

Nassau County Library System: https://nassaureads.com/ebooks/

(This resource is accessible to those who live, work, own property, or go to school in Nassau County.)

Suffolk County Libraries (This combined resource point for ebooks for Suffolk County Libraries is subject to the library card policies of each institution. This resource is accessible to those who live, work, own property, or go to school in Suffolk County.) : https://www.livebrary.com/ Home pages for each local library within Suffolk County is available here : https://www.livebrary.com/library-directory

Westchester Library System (This combined resource point for ebooks for Westchester County Libraries is subject to the library card policies of each institution. This resource is accessible to those who live, work, own property, or go to school in Westchester County.) : https://www.westchesterlibraries.org/listen-read/ Home pages for each local library within Westchester County is available here : https://www.westchesterlibraries.org/about-wls/member-libraries/list-of-member-libraries/

For more information on e-Book policies and borrowing for institutions in Upstate New York, these can be found through the NYS Library Webpage: https://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/libs/publibs/findebooks.htm