Brooks Free Library - Harwich, Massachusetts

Library Services For People With Disabilities

The Library staff will assist any patron with special needs, enabling everyone to enjoy full use of the Library's resources. The Library has a sizable collection of large print books, Playaways, and books on tape and CD. We also have a collection of NLS Talking Books and players. A Talking Book and player may be used while at the Library, or checked out to enjoy at home. The Library has a special radio that patrons may borrow to listen to programming from Audible Local Ledger, the Cape affiliate of the Massachusetts Radio Reading Service. We have a collection of audio-described videos, which have narration inserted between the dialog, describing the film's action and other key elements. The Library is fully accessible for individuals who have difficulty with mobility. The elevator stops at all floors of the Library. Staff members will be happy to retrieve materials, make photocopies, fill out request forms or assist library users in any way. Please let us know how we can help!

Books on Wheels:

This service of the Friends of the Brooks Free Library provides home delivery ofLibrary materials for Harwich residents who are not able to come in to the Library due to illness, injury or other circumstances. Library materials are delivered and picked up in person by our volunteers twice a month. This service is offered year round and is free of charge. Participants can request specific titles, suggest subject areas of interest or ask our volunteers to recommend and select titles for them. For more information on the program or how to sign up for service click here.

Vision Impaired Technology Assistance at the Library (VITAL):

The Library has designated computers with the following access software:

· JAWS screen reading program

· ZoomText magnification/reading program

· Kurzweil 1000 scanning/reading program

· Dolphin Guide magnification/reading program

(Our Guide program also offers voice recognition with a bridge to the Dragon Naturally speaking software program.)

· Duxbury Braille Translation program, used with our Juliet Pro60 Braille embosser

We offer free, one-on-one instruction in the use of our access software programs to individuals with sight loss. Never used a computer before? Don't let that stop you! We even have someone who will teach you to keyboard! We have a desktop video magnifier for use in the Library and a portable video magnifier, called Max, which can be checked out and used with your TV at home. For Braille users there is a Perkins Braille Writer and a slate & stylus. The VITAL resource area contains brochures, handouts, and catalogs of special interest to people with vision impairments. Our VITAL Center is located on the second floor of the Library, in the Reference Dept. If you'd like more information about VITAL services, training on the VITAL equipment or software, or are interested in training to be a volunteer tutor, please call the Library at (508) 430-7562 and speak to Carla Burke, our Assistive Technology Coordinator. You may also email Carla at cburke@clamsnet.org.

Check out this video from Harwich Channel 18 on our VITAL program.