Please note that the two larger study rooms in Adult Services are out of service until further notice. We apologize for the inconvenience.
In the meantime, adults are welcome to use the study rooms in Kids & Teens until 3 p.m.

 
 
 

Accessibility

The Elmwood Park Public Library strives to be as accessible as possible for all of our visitors, and we make every effort to meet the needs of library users. Please let us know what we can do to better assist you!  For accommodations at an event or class, please contact us ahead of the scheduled date/time, allowing seven days’ notice to best serve you.

Elmwood Park Public Library is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Building   |   Home Delivery   |   Technology   |   Collections 

  

Building

Assistive walker with seat and basket.The library building is equipped with:

  • Wheelchair access and automated door openers
  • Designated parking spaces
  • Elevators
  • Drive-up material return slots - located behind the Library, accessible through Avenue of the Flags
  • A wheelchair for in-building use - ask for it at the front desk
    (Generously provided by a grant from AgeOptions of Oak Park)
  • A walker for in-building use - ask for it at the front desk 
    (Generously provided by a grant from AgeOptions of Oak Park)
  • AED device in case of cardiac emergency 
    (Generously provided by a grant from the Hopey Heart Foundation)

To assist in getting around the building, maps of the each floor can be located here.

 

Home Delivery

Canvas bag filled with boks.Having trouble getting to the Library?  Let us bring the Library to you!  

We have expanded our home delivery option to ALL Elmwood Park residents with an EP library card--no medical reason required.

When you sign up for this service, we will deliver  to your doorstep up to once a week.  Get books, movies, music, video games, and items from our Beyond Books Collection.  Place holds on the items you want through the SWAN Catalog, have us place the holds, or let us pick out something for you!

If you have an Elmwood Park library card and are interested in signing up for this service, just fill out this form, or contact the Adult Services Desk directly:

  • Phone:  708.453.7645
  • Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Technology

Large print USB keyboard with high-contrast keys.We have a few assistive items available for use within the Library, generously provided by a grant from AgeOptions of Oak Park.  Ask for them at the Adult Services desk.

  • 3x Dimmable, anti-glare, LED magnifier
  • Regular magnifying glass
  • Large stationary mouse - features comfortable ambidextrous design, convenient button controls, large tracking ball (also available at the Kids & Teens desk)
  • Large print USB keyboard with high-contrast keys
    (also available at the Kids & Teens desk)
  • Pairs of reading glasses (2x and 1x strength available)

 

If you are using our computers, you can also access the Control Panel to turn on various features to help make your session easier, including a magnifier, narration, and a high-contrast setting.  Just click the following path to get the menu shown below:

Windows (start button) > Control Panel > Ease of Access Center

Screenshot of a computer's control panel screen displaying accessibility tools and settings.

 

Collections

Box of wooden braille alphabet tiles.The Library has various collections that can make literature more accessible for the vision impaired.

  • Large type books - Books with larger font size for easier readability.  Fiction & nonfiction available in the Adult collection.
  • Audiobooks - We have books on CD in both the Adult and Kids & Teens collections.
  • Book & CD Kits - In the Kids & Teens collection we have kits that combine picture books with CDs.
  • eBooks - With your library card you have access to eBooks, which, when read on a tablet or eReader, allows for font size control and high contrast reading screens.  The Library has eBooks available through Overdrive/Libby and Axis 360.
  • eAudiobooks - With your library card you have access to downloadable audibooks, which allow for speed and volume control.  The Library has eAudiobooks available through Overdrive/Libby and Axis 360.
  • Braille kit - The Kids & Teens department has a collection of Explore-to-Go kits for kids, including an introduction to braille, which contains 2 books, 1 set of alphabet braille tiles, and 1 set of number braille tiles.
  • LED Folding Magnifier -  As part of our Beyond Books collection, we have an LED folding magnifying glass available for checkout.  It can function either as a handheld magnifier, or as a standing, hands-free device.

As a part of SWAN, a consortium of over 90 suburban libraries, we also have access to much bigger large type and audiobook collections than ours. If there is something you are looking for that our library does not have, we can probably get it from another library in SWAN. Please don't hesitate to ask staff for help in placing holds on items from other libraries.

Talking Book & Braille Service

For more a specialized service providing braille books and audio material, you can also visit the Talking Book & Braille Service at the Illinois State Library. They take applications for enrollment in their mail or digital download delivery services for Illinois residents who are unable to read standard print material due to a permanent or temporary visual or physical disability. 

Peter N. Silvestri Cultural and Learning Center | Serving Elmwood Park Since 1936