Accessibility Services
San Mateo County Libraries is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and strives to make our spaces open for exploration to everyone in person and online.
Audiobooks and eAudiobooks
The library has fiction and nonfiction audiobooks on CD and downloadable or streaming eAudiobooks. A number of our eBook/eAudiobook/eMagazine vendors are compatible with screen-readers and other accessibility software. The following are confirmed to be accessible:
- Axis360 Digital Media Library is accessible
- RB Digital/Flipster (eMagazines)
- Axis360 app has Instructions to enable text-to-speech.
The OverDrive app (not Libby) is compatible with native screen readers for Android, iOS, and Windows 8/10, opens a new window. Some of the Libby's navigation currently works with screen readers, though there is not yet a screen reader-friendly version that supports iOS's VoiceOver and Android's Talkback.
For maximum accessibility, we recommend using the Kindle Book format option, using the OverDrive app, or using the OverDrive website.
Large Print Books
The library offers selected fiction and nonfiction large print books in English, as well as in Spanish. Please check the books available here.
Closed Captioned Videos
The Library has DVDs with closed captioning of dialogue and sound.
Sound Descriptive Videos
The Library also has DVDs with narrative tracks that describe what is happening throughout the recording, including when there is no dialogue.
Braille Books
The library has braille materials available and we can request braille materials for you from other library systems through LINK+, including San Francisco Public Library’s Talking Books and Braille Center, opens a new window.
Choice Magazine Listening (CML)
Choice Magazine Listening, opens a new window is a nonprofit organization that provides audio recordings of memorable articles, stories, interviews, essays and poems from outstanding current magazines, completely free of charge, to blind, visually impaired, physically disabled or dyslexic adults.
CML is provided, free of charge, by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, opens a new window. The player is portable, extremely easy to use, and offers quality sound.
World Language Collection
Books, audiobooks, magazines, movies and CDs in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian and Spanish are available at select library locations. Please search the library catalog or contact a specific location to find out what language materials are available there.
Online resources also provide access to language materials, including:
- Chinese, Korean, Russian, and Spanish eBooks in
- Overdrive Libby App language support for 10 different languages
- Kono Chinese and Japanese eMagazines
- Qikan Chinese eMagazines
- Odilo Spanish eBooks
- Chinese, opens a new window, Japanese, opens a new window and Spanish, opens a new window eMagazines in RBDigital
- Various foreign language films through Kanopy, opens a new window
Retrieving Library Items for You
If you have a disability, library staff will retrieve books, media and other items from the library collection for you on request. Request this service at any San Mateo County Libraries location. Library staff will get a reasonable number of items for you, based on staff availability and workload. Some branches also offer home delivery service for homebound patrons. Please inquire at your local branch about this service.
If our libraries are closed for an extended period of time and offer curbside pick-up, it may be possible for materials to be picked up by someone besides yourself. If you would like to learn more, please contact us by calling 1-833-YES-SMCL (1-833-937-7625) or text us at (650) 851-0147.
Interpretation Services
In order for our staff to be able to effectively assist all members of our community, San Mateo County Libraries utilizes a voice and video interpretation system that is available during our open hours. We can locate a certified, professionally trained interpreter for your language in a minute or two. You will be able to talk to the interpreter on the phone or for American Sign Language, see a video interpreter, who will relay your requests or questions to a library staff member. When you come to any of our locations, please ask staff for interpretation services so that you can be sure we will understand each other. Staff have a flyer with different languages printed on it if you prefer to point to the language of your choice.
Printing and Photocopying for You
Library staff will print or photocopy a reasonable number of items for you. Request this service at any San Mateo County Libraries location. Library staff may ask you to leave selections for later copying when there is no time for extended individual help.
Proxy Borrowing
Proxy borrowing lets a person of your choice borrow or renew library items on your behalf. This option is available on request at any San Mateo County Libraries location. Contact the branch about how to get this started.
If our libraries are closed for an extended period of time and offer curbside pick-up, it may be possible for materials to be picked up by someone besides yourself. If you would like to learn more, please contact us by calling 1-833-YES-SMCL (1-833-937-7625) or text us at (650) 851-0147.
Extending Your Loan Period
You may request that the library extend the loan period for your borrowed items if you are unable to return them on time due to special circumstances. Granting this extension to you is at the discretion of library staff. They will factor in the demand for your items by other library users and if you are borrowing material that is owned by a library system other than San Mateo County Libraries.
You can view our Web Accessibility Statement to see how we strive to make our online experience welcoming and inclusive to people with a wide range of abilities.
Services for People With Limited Mobility
The Library of Congress, opens a new window offers the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, opens a new window (NLS) as a free service to individuals who cannot handle or see printed materials. NLS offers recorded books, magazines, and both hardcopy and downloadable braille to registered patrons. Music scores and music appreciation materials are also available from their Music Section, opens a new window. NLS provides a free Talking Book Machine to play all recorded materials, or listeners can us the supporting BARD Mobile app for iOS, opens a new window and Android, opens a new window devices, including Kindle Fire, opens a new window. To enroll in the service, San Mateo County residents can contact the Braille and Talking Book Library, opens a new window a branch of the California State Library, opens a new window by calling (toll-free) 1 (800) 952-5666, or the Talking Books and Braille Center, opens a new window at San Francisco Public Library (415) 557-4253.
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