Services for People With Disabilities

City Services

As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability.

Service animals, as defined by the ADA Title II Regulations, are welcome in all public libraries.

Disability-related accommodations, including auxiliary aids and services, may be provided upon request. To request an accommodation for any of the Library's programs, services, or activities, please inform the Library Branch Manager of your accommodation request. You may also contact the Library Human Resources Office at 213-228-7430. Requests should be submitted at least five business days in advance to allow sufficient time for coordination. The City will make every effort to accommodate requests received with less notice.

Complaints that a City program, service, or activity is not accessible to persons with disabilities may be submitted through the City’s MyLA311 ADA/Accessibility/Disability Complaints topic or directly to the Department on Disability pursuant to the City’s ADA Title II Grievance Policy and Procedure.

For more information about Citywide Accessibility, visit the City of Los Angeles Accessibility website.

Library Services

Audiobook and Large Type Book Collection

Audiobooks are available from the Central Library and your local branch in all subject areas. Contact your local branch to find out how you can request audiobooks to be delivered to your local branch.

Large Type books are available from the Central Library and branches in all subject areas. The Central Library’s large type collection is located in the Literature and Fiction Department on the third (3rd) floor. Contact your local branch for additional information.

Closed Circuit Television Magnifiers

Television Magnifiers enlarge print materials up to 60 times the actual size. The Television Magnifiers are available at:

Digital Collections

The Los Angeles Public Library has a vast collection of accessible digital material available ranging from books, audiobooks, films, language learning, and music. Digital materials are available through the library’s e-Media page.

OverDrive readers can select the dyslexic-friendly font option in the OverDrive app, Libby app, browser-based OverDrive Read, and at the OverDrive website.

Homebound Friends and Neighbors

Homebound library patrons may choose a friend or neighbor to pick-up and return library materials. To apply for a Homebound library card, or if you need additional information about this service, contact your local branch library, call the Circulation Support Office at 213-228-7065, or fill out the online application.

Reference and Information Services

Central Library’s InfoNow librarians are available to answer questions Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m., excluding holidays. Services are available by:

  • Telephone - Call 213-228-7272.
  • E-mail - Use InfoNow E-mail Services Form, questions are answered within 48 hours.
  • Fax - Questions may be faxed to 213-228-7369.
  • Instant Messaging - Instant Messaging is available for quick reference questions.
  • Texting - Text your question to 66746. Use the phrase “AskLAPL” before your question. For example, AskLAPL What time do you close tonight? Press send and wait for your answer.

TTY/TDD

Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability, please use the California Relay Service at 7-1-1 to contact us.

Video Remote Interpreting Services (VRI)

The Library offers VRI services at Central Library and all 72 branch locations. This service provides immediate online sign language interpretation access to staff who are interacting with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing. For additional information or to request service, please contact your local branch manager or the Library Human Resources Department at 213-228-7430.

ZoomText

ZoomText enables visually-impaired or blind computer users to see and/or hear everything displayed on a computer screen. ZoomText is available at all branches.

If you wish to use the ScreenReader feature you will need to bring headphones.

Central Library’s ZoomText computers are located in the Computer Center on Lower Level 3 (LL3). Only in-person reservations are available at the Computer Center Service Desk.

Local, State, and Federal Services

Bookshare - An Accessible Online Library for people with print disabilities

Bookshare is a global literacy non-profit organization which provides free accessible e-books to students of any age who qualify for the program. Non-students may also join the program for a fee. To request more information call 650-352-0198 Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

Braille Institute of Los Angeles

The Braille Institute of Los Angeles is the Southern California branch of the Library of Congress National Library Service. It is located at 741 North Vermont Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90029. For more information contact the Braille Institute at 1-800-808-2555 or 323-660-3880, Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. (PST) or la@brailleinstitue.org

California's Library Services for People with Print Disabilities

California's Library Services for People with Print Disabilities, in association with the Library of Congress, provides free Braille and audio books, magazines and playback equipment to all eligible Californians unable to read standard print.

California Relay Service

Dial 7-1-1 to reach the California Relay Service. The California Relay Service can relay telephone conversations for people with disabilities and their family, friends, business contacts.  The service is open to everyone.

Newsline® For The Blind

Newsline® for the Blind is a free newspaper and magazine service offered by the National Federation of the Blind to anyone who cannot read printed newspapers due to vision loss, dyslexia, or a physical disability.