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Services for Persons with Disabilities

We are committed to offering programs and services that are accessible to everyone. Assistive technology is used to enable persons with vision or hearing loss to enjoy all that the library has to offer. Programs such as Books-by-Mail make library materials available to those who are homebound, or otherwise unable to visit their local library.
Any librarian can provide details, you can call the Access Services Coordinator at 954-357-8687 or any branch during operating hours.

Accessible Computer Software

Screen reading software (JAWS) and screen magnification software (ZoomText) are available at several library locations for individuals with vision loss.

Assistive Listening Devices

Many library meeting rooms are equipped with assistive listening devices, which amplify sound and minimize background noise for individuals who have hearing loss. The equipment works with or without use of a hearing aid.

Books-By-Mail

Call 954-357-5757 or visit the webpage for more information.
This program provides books and other printed material to library users of all ages who are homebound or unable to visit their local library due to physical disability. Standard and large print formats are available, as well as videos with descriptive narration. An application is required. Please call Books-By-Mail at 954-357-5757 or send an email to booksbymail@broward.org to request an application.

Braille Materials/Talking Book Library

Call 954-357-7555 or visit the webpage for more information.
Materials include books and magazines to individuals with visual or physical disabilities. The service is free, but an application is required. Special Talking Book Machines and headphones are also required and are provided at no charge when someone is registered with the program. Items are provided by the Library of Congress’ National Library Service, and are sent and returned via postage-free mailings.

Curbside Service

All Broward County Libraries offer Walk-up/Drive-up curbside service, with the exception of the NSU-Alvin Sherman Library. You may reserve books, DVDs and other library materials using our online catalog or by calling your local library. Library staff are unable to provide customers with any materials that have not been reserved ahead of time. You must have a Broward County Library card to reserve library materials.

When arriving to pick up materials, customers should call the library when they are in the parking lot.
For Walk-up Service: Library staff will exit the library and place the customer’s items on a table. Customers can then approach the table and retrieve their items.
For Drive-up Service: Library staff will exit the library and hand the items to the customer through their car window. To ensure a safe and efficient hand-off, items will be placed in plastic bags.

Returns

Deposit materials at any Broward County Library book drop.
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) items must be returned, in person, to staff at the same branch where it was picked up. Please ask for an ILL receipt.

Descriptive Videos

Books-by-Mail and Talking Book Library provide access to videos that include a narration track describing visual elements of the program, such as action, characters, costumes and location.

Dial-a-Story

Call 954-357-7777 to listen to stories.
A convenient, quick and free storytime-by-telephone service that’s available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All that’s required is a telephone! Features four different professionally recorded stories at a time, with new stories offered every other week. Geared toward younger children, the stories are a mix of contemporary tales, timeless classics and favorite fairy and folk tales.

Electronic Magnifiers (CCTVs)

Available at most Broward County library branches. A CCTV system consists of a video camera that projects onto a monitor a magnified image of printed text, handwriting or photos. You can use a CCTV to enlarge the text to read a letter, book, newspaper or prescription.

Library Card Renewals

The following options are available for customers with a disability who need to renew their library card.

Curbside service - All Broward County Libraries offer drive-up curbside service, except for the NSU-Alvin Sherman Library. When arriving to renew their library card, customers should call the library when they are in the parking lot. Library staff will come outside to the customer's car, verify their information, and renew their full-service or eCard for 10 years.
A Books-by-Mail application will be sent via U.S. Postal Service or emailed to the customer and upon receipt of a completed application, the card will be renewed for 10 years.
Staff will verify the customer's Broward County address and change the library card to an ecard and extend the renewal period for one year.

Signing Stories @Your Library®

Call 954-765-1560 for more information.
This program, sponsored by Broward County Libraries in partnership with The Alfano Center’s Deaf Family Literacy Academy, is for families with deaf or hard of hearing children, and for those who work with deaf children. Events are held on selected Saturdays during the school year from 11AM-1PM at the West Regional Library, 8601 W. Broward Blvd., in Plantation. Please call the West Regional Library at 954-765-1560 for more information.

Specialized Telephones

Residents who are deaf or blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired are eligible to receive a specialized telephone at no cost through Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc. Broward County works with local agencies to distribute the telephones through library locations. For more information, call 954-357-8687. Residents can also call the Florida Telecommunications Relay directly at: 1-800-222-3448 for more information.

TTY/TTD Telephones

Residents may contact any library branch using a relay service. Text telephones are available at select libraries for customers to use to make or receive calls.