| Organization |
San Francisco Public Library (SFPL).
|
| Program |
Library for the Blind and Print Disabled. |
| Address |
Main Library, Second Floor, 100 Larkin Street. San Francisco CA 94102 |
| Phone |
415-557-4253 |
| Hours |
1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday and Thursday |
|
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday |
|
Noon to 6 p.m., Friday |
| Description |
Provides special library services for legally blind, low vision, or print impairments (manual dexterity and processing disabilities). Offers reference services, reader advisory, and special programs and events. Materials available include talking books; audiocassette news magazines; and descriptive videos of popular movies and television programs. Special equipment available includes closed circuit televisions which enlarge text for low-vision users; optical character reading scanners which read aloud typewritten English print of books, periodicals, letters, etc.; IBM compatible personal computers with voice output and large print output; type enlarging printers; magnification equipment; Braille embossers (printers) and displays linked to personal computers; and a Braille and speak device. Offers a television monitor and VCR for viewing descriptive videos. |
|
Provides NFB-NEWSLINE, a toll-free telephone service that uses synthesized speech to deliver an audio version of newspaper. The current day's, yesterday's and the previous Sunday's editions of 50 daily local and national newspapers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week from a touch-tone telephone. |
|
Talking books and equipment can be mailed to and from the library free of charge to qualified persons. Materials are also available for home delivery through the Library's Friend for Life Program (see separate listing). |
| Eligibility |
Resident of San Francisco and print or visually impaired (including AIDS-related impairments); a physical disability that prevents the use of traditional library materials; or a reading disability of physical origin. Short-term use is available for temporary disabilities and for non-residents of San Francisco who are registered with the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. |
| Fee |
Free. |
| Application |
Walk-in or apply by telephone. |
| Transportation |
Muni (5 Fulton, 19 Polk or Market Street lines) and BART/Muni Metro (Civic Center station). |
| Accessibility |
Yes. |
| Language |
May include Japanese and Spanish. |
| Officer |
Martin Magid, Department Manager. |
|
