Services > Accessible services
Accessible services
Browsing assistance
Customers who need assistance browsing the collection due to a disability may make an appointment with staff for one-on-one help. Contact your location to make an appointment.
Multnomah County Library provides a variety of services for people with disabilities.
Blindness and low vision
- Large-print and audiobooks
- All libraries have large-print books and audiobooks on tape and CD. Audiobooks can be downloaded from the library's website.
- Talking Book and Braille Services
- (through Oregon State Library)
Talking Book and Braille Services provides free library materials and services to print-disabled Oregonians. To learn more or to see if you qualify, call 800.452.0292 or visit the website. - Accessible library catalog
- Also used with cell phones and PDAs, this version of the library's catalog (http://catalog.multcolib.org/airpac) works well with screen readers such as JAWS.
- JAWS and ZoomText in the library
- JAWS (a screen-reading program) and ZoomText (a screen-magnification program) are available at all library locations, along with basic instructions. Library staff are not able to help with JAWS and ZoomText.
- Magnification devices
- Magnifying glasses and sheets are available at each reference desk in all library locations. For customers who need greater magnification, Central Library offers two video magnifiers for reading books, magazines and newspapers.
Homebound
- Library Outreach Services
- Library Outreach Services provides library services to those unable to come to the library, including homebound people, residents of retirement homes and adult care homes and assisted living facilities. Books and other library materials are delivered by mail or in person. Call 503.988.5404 to find out about becoming an outreach customer.
- Ask the Librarian
- E-mail your question to Multnomah County Library’s Ask the Librarian.
- L-net
- Chat online with a librarian using L-net.
Mobility challenges
Access to library locations- All libraries and their restrooms, as well as The Title Wave Used Bookstore and its restroom, meet ADA standards.
- Accessible computers
- Most adaptive technology computers are at the ends of tables to promote easy access for customers using wheelchairs or other mobility aids. (Any search station at the end of a row provides a similar advantage.)
- Lapboards
- Lapboards are available for customers in wheelchairs who need to reposition the keyboard. They can be used at any Internet station and can be placed on the lap or wheelchair.
Deafness and hearing loss
- Sign language interpreters and assistive listening devices
- If you have a disability and need accommodations for an event or class, please call 503.988.5402. Please give 48 hours notice to allow us to better serve you.
Closed-captioned DVDs- The library purchases closed-captioned editions of DVDs when available.
- List of DVDs
- List of VHS
- TTY
- TTY services for the deaf and hard of hearing are available through Reference Line and Renewal Line at 503.988.5246.
For more information about any of these services, please call 503.988.5402 or the TTY number (503.988.5246), Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You may also send comments and suggestions or write:
Multnomah County Library
Library Outreach Services
205 N.E. Russell Street
Portland, OR 97212