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The Contra Costa County Library provides access for people with physical limitations in a number of ways:

• Materials specially adapted for vision and hearing limitations
• Adaptive equipment for reading or listening to books
• Delivery services
• Braille and Talking Books
• Newspapers by telephone
• Selected web sites for additional assistance

Materials and Searching the Catalog

The Library collection includes many materials that are adapted for persons with physical limitations. These include:

• Large print books
• Audio books on cassette and CD
• Digital audio books from the Califa Digital Library Consortium
• Closed captioned videos and DVDs
• Described videos and DVDs

To find books in Large print, audio, or digital form, use the Basic Search option of the Library Catalog and select from Limit by Format:

Large Print Books

Books with larger type are available in most library locations. The collection includes both fiction and non-fiction works. They are usually shelved in a separate area for browsing, but you can also search for them in the Library Catalog:

• In the Basic Search screen, enter a keyword (for example, fiction or history) or author search term. Then select Limit by Format, choose Large Print, and click Search.

Books on Cassette and Books on CD

Audio Books on Tape and Books on CD can be played on a variety of models of electronic equipment. They circulate throughout the library system and can be requested at any branch.

• Find them in the Library Catalog using a keyword search for your area of interest, or an author name search. Select Limit by Format, choose Books on CD or Books on Cassette, and click Search.

Digital Audio Books

The Califa Digital Library Consortium allows you to download audio eBooks (presented in Windows Media format) and text eBooks (presented in either Adobe or Mobipocket format). The Digital Library contains bestsellers, classics, fiction and non-fiction. Materials check out for three weeks, they are checked back in automatically, and there are never any late fees.

• To find them, search the Library Catalog for any keyword(s) plus the word califa. For example, mystery califa.

Closed captioned videos/DVDs

• Videos and DVDs for the hearing-impaired can be found in the Library Catalog using a keyword search that includes "closed captioned." For example, shakespeare closed captioned.
• You may also use a keyword or author search term, then select Limit by Format, choose Videocassettes for the hearing impaired , and click Search. (This search will return both videos and DVDs.)

Described videos/DVDs

Described videos and DVDs for the visually impaired contain a special audio track.

• Find them in the Library Catalog by using a keyword search that includes "described video." This will return both videos and DVDs. For example, history described video.

Delivery Services

The Library offers several delivery options to people who are unable to come to the Library.

Books by Mail

This service provides delivery of books, books on tape and books on CD to you through the mail, for a fee.

• You may request Books By Mail by placing an online hold through the Library Catalog.
• When asked to select a pick-up branch, choose MAIL.
• Items for this service may also be requested at your local library either in person or over the phone by calling 1-800-984-4636.
• Get all the details here.

Books for the Homebound

Do you love to read but can no longer get to the Library? "Books for the Homebound" volunteers can bring the treasures of the Library to individuals who are home- or institution-bound, and residing within the Contra Costa County Library service area. This is a free service. Available materials include:

• Regular and Large Print books
• Books on cassette and Books on CD from the Library collection
• Talking Books from the California State Library Braille and Talking Book Library

If you or someone you know would benefit from the "Books for the Homebound" service, please call your local Library, or contact Susan LaPat, Volunteer Coordinator, at (925) 927-3211 or slapat@ccclib.org.

Rossmoor Books-to-Go

This free service is provided by the Walnut Creek Library and Rossmoor community volunteers. If you live in Rossmoor, all you need is a valid Contra Costa County Library card in order to use the Rossmoor Books-to-Go service. Learn all about it here, or for assistance, call or visit the Walnut Creek Library, or visit the Rossmoor Computer Club's office in Gateway.

Braille and Talking Book Library

The California State Library Braille and Talking Book Library lends braille, cassette, and talking books, magazines and playback equipment to northern Californians unable to read conventional print.

• In order to use this service, you must register with the California State Library. All Contra Costa County Library locations have the application form, or you may download it from the state Web site.

The entire collection of the California State Library Braille and Talking Books may be searched on their Web site. It includes works of fiction and non-fiction for all reading levels, and a limited number of foreign language materials.

The Pleasant Hill Library has two cassette players that may be borrowed for Books for the Blind Talking books.

• The Information Desk can assist you with this, and provide catalogs of titles available from the State Library.
• The Library also has a small collection of approximately 30 books on cassette in green cases, returnable by mail.

Selected Web Sites

• National Federation of the Blind Newsline
  Provides a free service to those unable to read regular newsprint. Hundreds of newspapers are available by telephone, including two Spanish language publications.
• National Federation of the Blind of California
• National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
  Offers most of its services through cooperating libraries, but some additional direct services can be obtained from them.
• Assistive Media
  Produces spoken-word recordings of short-subject literary works that are made easily accessible through the Internet. Copyright-approved material includes articles from reputable mainstream periodicals such as The New Yorker, Harper's, Wired, Scientific American, Atlantic Monthly, Civilization, Smithsonian, and independent writers.
• Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic
• The Blind Readers Page
  This site is a guide to sources of information in alternative formats (braille, recorded cassettes, large print, e-texts, web audio) accessible by people with print disabilities--those with visual and physical handicaps as well as dyslexia.
• The Braille Institute