Accessibility

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Accommodation user profiles

Information about accommodation patron types, which provide options for patrons who may need something other than the standard patron type.

Adaptive technology stations and the ADA (search station management)

These guidelines are intended to help staff manage the use of adaptive technology stations (ATS) effectively

Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Plan of Service

Plan for serving patrons with disabilities

Animals on Library Premises

Guidelines for animals in the library and definition of a service animal

Answerland

Answerland is a 24/7 chat and e-mail reference service provided by the Oregon Libraries Network.

Ask the Librarian

Ask the Librarian is an excellent method for connecting people who are blind, Deaf/hard-of-hearing, and/or homebound with reference services.

Audio description (DVDs, Blu-rays)

People who are blind or visually impaired have access to descriptive video on selected titles in Multnomah County Library

Books by mail

Books by Mail allows a patron to have library materials mailed directly to his or her house for a fee of $3

Bookshare

This page describes the Bookshare service.

Bookshare e-books

Bookshare is an international service offering 900,000+ ebooks. It offers a custom reading experience to individuals with print disabilities such as blindness, low vision, dyslexia, or physical disabilities that make it difficult to hold a book.

Browsing the collection assistance

Library patrons who need assistance browsing the collection due to a disability may make an appointment with staff for one-on-one help.

Closed-captioned (DVDs, Blu-rays)

Help finding closed-captioned movies

Confidentiality of library records — staff procedures

Patron records my only be accessed by authorized people.

Confidentiality of patron records — staff procedures, policy

Confidentiality of patron records — staff procedures, policy. account holder, library cards, card numbers, PIN/password, privacy, barcode on phone

Confidentiality of patron records — staff procedures, rationale

Why the library has confidentiality policies and procedures.

Confidentiality of patron records — staff procedures, unauthorized access

What to do if a patron cannot give 2-3 pieces of identifying personal information or a person only wants personal information from an account.

Confidentiality quick facts

Brief highlights of confidentiality practices.

Disability resources (ADA) for staff

Forms and resources for employee reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Evacuation waiting area

Information about helping patrons in mobility devices during an emergency

JAWS

Information about the software JAWS which enables people who are blind or visually impaired to have online text read to them

Lapboards

Created 10/10...

Magnifiers and CCTV

Information about magnification devices at MCL locations

Microfilm readers that can save files in pdf format

The Periodical Section at Central Library owns two microfilm reader printers that can save images as .pdf files

Oregon Relay Service for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (7-1-1)

Information on using the Oregon Relay Telephone Service, which provides text to speech interpreters and ASL to speech interpreters

Patron account and service options

Some patrons may have difficulty using the library: library card requirements (name, address, or ID), fees, address confidentiality, foster families, resource counselors

Patron records, Modify User

Updates to identifying information in a patron's account, including name, email address, telephone number, and address. Text messaging and patron type may also be updated using the Modify User wizard.

Prayer

Policy on prayer in public spaces and gives guidance to staff on handling patron inquiries and requests related to prayer.

Reasonable accommodations for patrons with disabilities

Policy for providing reasonable accommodations to patrons with disabilities, per the Americans with Disabilities Act. It details procedures for handling accommodation requests, including interim accommodations and exceptions to library rules. The document also includes guidelines for requesting sign language interpreters.

Reasonable accommodations for patrons with disabilities FAQ

Answers for: What a reasonable accommodation is and why we offer it, when to submit a request for reasonable accommodation, how to submit an accommodation request, what to expect in the process, how to support an accommodation, and who to contact with questions.

Sensory rooms

Description and links to further information about sensory rooms which support accessibility and inclusion through a calming space

Sensory rooms at the library policy

Information about sensory rooms for patron use, including a link to the policy and additional guidance for staff on monitoring, managing use and access, and cleaning of the rooms.

Sensory Storytime

This preschool storytime is especially welcoming for children on the spectrum and families who are looking for a smaller, more adaptive library experience.

Sensory tools for youth

Information about Sensory Accommodation Kits in children's areas and items available in teen spaces, including cleaning information and requesting replacements 

Service Animals

Guidelines for animals in the library and definition of a service animal.

Sign language interpreters

Information about requesting sign language interpreters for patrons

Talking Books and Braille Library

The Oregon State Library provides talking books for people with visual impairments and other disabilities throughout Oregon, by way of the...

Telephone interpretation and sign language interpreter services

Information on the available interpreter services, including telephone, in-person and sign language at Multnomah County Library.

Virtual Remote Interpretation (VRI) for sign language

This 24/7 service is available on dedicated iPads at Central, Gresham, Hillsdale and Rockwood

Visual Schedules

Information about visual schedules and how to request for storytimes and other programs

Wheelchairs: access to computers

Most of the adaptive technology search stations have been placed at the end of tables to promote easy access for patrons in wheelchairs

ZoomText

ZoomText is magnification software for people with low vision available on Adaptive Technology stations at all locations