ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY and ASSISTIVE SERVICES
| The Newburyport Public Library staff offers the same quality of
service to all, regardless of age, race, sex, nationality, educational
background, physical limitations, or any of the criteria which may be a
source of discrimination.
The library's renovated and expanded facility at 94 State Street is ADA compliant, and is fully accessible to all users by elevator. However, if a library user cannot or does not wish to travel between levels, library staff will offer to retrieve information or materials from any floor. Physically challenged library users have automated access to the collections of all Merrimack Valley libraries through the use of a public access catalog on each level. If a user cannot operate a computer, library staff will perform the necessary functions. Internet access is available on every level. Two adaptive technology computer workstations, Federally grant-funded and administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, are located within the library on the 1st and 3rd levels. Each adaptive PC has a large type keyboard, and can provide audible interpretation of screen displays and textual content for persons who are visually impaired or blind. An Open Book scanner, which reads and speaks textual page content, is attached to one adaptive technology computer. Also located on the library's 3rd level, is a SmartView portable video magnifier (CCTV). The Children's Room is home to one grant-funded assistive technology computer workstation with 20" monitor, and Windows 2000 standard accessibility options (including the Narrator text-to-speech utility).. The library maintains a large audiovisual collection of books on tape, books on CD, described videos, and large print materials. Additionally, the library staff will continue to receive review materials from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Books in Braille and talking books, as well as the library's collection of recorded books, can be ordered by patron request from the Perkins School for the Blind. While patrons may not bring pets or animals into the library, guide dogs for the disabled are permitted. The library owns one Nova Mack wheeled walker - with a basket for gathering materials to be checked out and a seat from which to browse the collections. The walker is for in-library patron use, and is kept parked in the library lobby. Rest room facilities are located on every level.
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