Boston Public Library
Access Services
Concourse Level, Johnson Building, Central Library
617-859-2295 or 617-536-5400
(TTD) 617-536-7055
Photo of Access Services
About Access Services The Access Services Program is part of the Adult Readers and Information Services Department and is located on the concourse level. Access Services allows people with disabilities to use library resources within the library.   Computers in this area are restricted to those with disabilities.

This area maintains a reference collection of disability-related materials, including Americans with Disabilities Act regulations, education, health, housing, parenting, travel, as well as resource directories.

Highlights of the Collection

Periodicals in Braille, produced by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, and current back issues of Braille Forum, Braille Monitor, and Journal of Visual Impairment are available, as well as popular titles such as The New York Times and Science News.

Periodicals on a range of issues related to physical and mental disabilities are also located in the Access Center.

Videotapes that offer closed captioning and American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation for deaf and hard-of-hearing people and descriptive narratives for blind and visually disabled people (DVS videos) are available in the adjacent Audio-Visual Services Department.

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Large Print Books The large print collection is located on the first floor of the General Library.  Non-fiction in large print is shelved against the back wall to the far left of the Catalog Desk. Large print fiction is located in the back left corner of the first floor, near the back wall near the Travel Guidebook section. The latest large print fiction can be found at the end of the new fiction section.
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Equipment
  • Optilec Magnifier (CCTV)
  • Reading ADVANTAGE
  • Reading Edge - English and Spanish
  • Duxbury Braille Translation Software (DBT)
  • Braille Printer Juliet PRO 60 (Interpoint - prints on both sides of page)
  • HP Scanner 5200 C
  • Scanning Software: Kurzweil 1000
  • Computer Printer, HP Laser Jet 4 plus
  • Speech Automated Software: JAWS
  • Large Print: Zoomtext Xtra
  • Microsoft Word 97
  • Internet Explorer
  • Windows NT

The BPL and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Network are pleased that the following equipment was provided by the Community Information Network for Individuals with Disabilities (CINID). CINID is funded through grants from National Library of Medicine, The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, & The Boston Foundation. For more information about CINID go to www.disabilityexchange.org

  • Height Adjustable Keyboard Trays
  • Anti-Glare Screens with Document Holders
  • Kensington Expert Pro Wireless Trackball
  • Roller Plus Joystick Mouse
  • Low Profile Mini Keyboard
  • Onscreen Virtual Keyboard
  • Dragger Dwell Software
  • TextHelp! ScreenReader 4
  • CAST eReader Software
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Computer use for adults with disabilities is limited  to two hours per day.  Customers must have a Boston Public Library card to sign up for computer time.  Telephone reservations are permitted.  Please call: (617) 536-5400, extension 2295.  When requesting a particular computer, refer to these computer stations:

ACA1: JAWS, Kurzweil, Zoomtext, scanner, printer, Internet use

ACA2: JAWS, Kurzweil, Zoomtext, printer, Braille printer, Internet use

PC1: Internet use, CINID equipment as listed above.

PC2: Internet use, CINID equipment as listed above.

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For program assistance and for general information or to make an appointment call (voice) 617-536-5400 extension 2295 or (TTD) 617-536-7055.