Reference Services Desk

If you have questions about the availability of certain books, audiobooks and language CDs/cassettes, music CDs, or videos, or need information about a particular topic, call the Library's Reference Services Desk at 847965-4220. The Librarians will assist you in finding the information you need.

Literacy Collection

The adult basic education collection on the Library's main floor contains books, audio cassettes, and video cassettes for people who are learning English as a second language and for adults learning to read English. An Aladdin Ambassador Pro reading machine is available for use at the Library in the typing room on the second floor. The reading machine scans documents and converts the text to synthesized speech.

Library Homebound Services

If you're a resident of Morton Grove and can't come to the Library because of illness or a physical disability, you are eligible for the Library's free Homebound Service. Neither permanence of the disability nor age is a consideration. Just call the Library at 847-965-4220 and ask for the Coordinator of Programming and Public Relations. The Coordinator of Programming and Public Relations will make arrangements for the initiation of your Homebound Service.

As a part of Homebound Service, the Library will bring you books in your favorite subject area, as well as music compact discs, cassettes and audiobooks.

Services for Hearing Impaired Patrons

For hearing-impaired patrons, three assistive hearing devices are available for use at Library programs and events; you can also use the Telephone Relay System (1-800-526-0857), operator-assisted calls for the hearing impaired, to call the Library for information or requests for materials.

• Listenaiders: three assistive hearing devices are available for use at Library programs and events.
• The Telephone Relay System is set up for operator-assisted calls for the hearing and speech impaired. Call 1-800-526-0857. A recorded message lists a directory of options concerning how the system works, how to make a collect call or credit card call, and how to signal the operator when you are finished speaking.

Services for Visually Impaired Patrons

• The Library has a collection of large print books for those who have difficulty reading conventional print. The collection includes fiction, nonfiction, and The Reader's Digest Large Print Magazine. Audiobooks, or books on audio cassette, are also available for individuals who have difficulty reading small print. Audiobooks can be played on home equipment.

• Talking Books and Magazines: You may order talking books and magazines through a free service provided by the Library of Congress, if you are physically unable to hold a book, or read conventional print materials, or if you have a reading disability. Voices of Vision, a service of the DuPage Library System, administers the Talking Books Program for this area. Books and magazines are recorded at a slower speed and require a special cassette player. Both the tapes/cassettes and the cassette players are provided through the mail at no cost. For information or to request an application through the mail, call the Voices of Vision Talking Book Center at 1-800-227-0625. The address is: 127 South First St., Geneva, IL 60134.

• Specialized Equipment

  Two Magni-Cams are available for loans of three weeks. When the Magni-Cam is connected to a television set, the user slides a hand-held scanner over an item and looks at the magnified image on the TV screen. The Magni-Cam can be used for reading books and magazines; labels, such as those on food items or prescription bottles; and for looking at photographs and other printed matter. A $35.00 deposit is required at the time of the loan and is refunded when the equipment is returned.

  Optelec 20/20: The Lions Club of Morton Grove donated an Optelec 20/20 to the Library. The Optelec, located in the Local History Room, magnifies printed materials from 4 to 60 times enabling persons with visual impairments to more easily read or see photos.

  Reading Machine: The Aladdin Ambassador Pro reading machine converts text from books, magazines, newspapers and other printed materials to high quality speech. The machine scans printed materials using an optical character recognition computer program, and converts the text into synthesized speech. For more information, or to schedule an appointment to learn how to use the reading machine, please call the Coordinator of Programming and Public Relations at the Library: 847-965-4220.

Questions?

If you have any questions about MGPL's Homebound Service, the Library of Congress' services to the blind and physically handicapped or reading disabled, or mobility and communication access assistance, please call the Coordinator of Programming and Public Relations at the Morton Grove Public Library, 847-965-4220.

www.webrary.org/Inside/specialneeds.html
First published on the Web: 4/8/1998
Last updated: 11/14/2007