Accessibility
Library's Commitment to Accessible Customer Service
Severn Township Public Library Board and Staff are committed to developing and implementing policies, practices, and procedures to govern the Library’s goods, programs, and services in a manner consistent with the principles of dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity for all Library Users.
Interruption of Services
If it becomes necessary to close the library a notice will be posted on the door and on our Facebook page.
The Library will make every effort possible to provide advance notice when library services or programs are cancelled, postpone, or interrupted. You can help us do that by phoning to ensure that the library is open and by registering in advance for programs.
Emergencies
If it becomes necessary to close the library a notice will be posted on the door and on our Facebook page. The Library will make every effort possible to provide advance notice when library services or programs are cancelled, postpone, or interrupted. You can help us do that by phoning to ensure that the library is open and by registering in advance for programs.
Helpful Links:
- Access Guide Canada provides a list of accessible community resources and organizations.
- Making Ontario Accessible is an Ontario government website that explains the requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
- Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) provides the full text document.
- Severn Township Accessibility provides information on accessible services and policies at the Township.
- County of Simcoe Accessibility
Accessible Collections
Closed Captioning
Many of our DVDs include closed captioning for people with hearing loss.
Large Type Books
Available to all library customers, large type books are complete, unabridged texts with clear type in 16 point font. Severn has a choice of titles and genres, including best-sellers, mysteries, westerns, and non-fiction.
Titles that are not available at the Library in Large Type format may be requested through InterLibrary Loan (ILLO). Please ask staff for assistance
Audiobooks
Audiobooks are recordings of the text of the book professionally read by clear speakers. The collection of Playaways are available. They are a small compact device used with headphones that contain the full book recording. A wide range of fiction genres and nonfiction is available. They require AAA batteries and headphones.0
Browse, Checkout, Download! Easy as 1-2-3.
Use your Severn Township Public Library card to download audio books and listen to them on the go! These eAudiobooks can be downloaded directly to mobile devices (iPhone/iPad, Android devices) that have the Libby or cloudLibrary APP installed.
DAISY Audio Books
DAISY (Digital Accessible Information System) is an international format standard developed by libraries for the blind. DAISY audio books have superior sound quality and functionality compared to other audio formats. Special features include chapter, paragraph, phrase and word navigation, bookmarking, skimming, sleep modes and reading speed control.
DAISY titles fit on a single compact disc. These discs are meant to be played in special DAISY-compatible machines such as Victor Readers. Because of their special formatting, DAISY discs cannot be played on standard CD players unless those players are MP3-compatible. If your CD player was manufactured in the last five years, there’s a good chance it is MP3-compatible and will also play DAISY audio books, although many of the special navigation features will not be available.
DAISY titles can also be listened to on your computer, using DAISY playback software.
Accessibility in the Built Environment
Accessible Parking
The Severn Township Public Library no longer has a restricted accessible parking in front of the Library. The closest one is outside the post office. Pleas be aware that parking in front of the library could result in a parking ticket.
Accessible Entranceways
The Library has a fully accessible ramp at the front entrance.
Scooters
If you use a scooter as a mobility aid you may bring it into the Library.
Scooters used for regular transportation should be parked outside the Main Entrance without blocking access for other library users, including those with mobility aids.
Scooters used inside the library should be driven at a slow walking speed and with care for pedestrians.
Accessible Public Service Desk
- Is at wheelchair height with direct sight lines to staff for easy conversation
- have a chair for resting while items are being checked out or in
Accessible Public Washrooms
The Library has both accessible washrooms with the required space for a wheelchair to maneuver. The washrooms are equipped with lever doors and lever handles on the faucets.
Aisles
The Library conforms to the previous built standards for accessibility which required 36” between aisles and around furniture. If you have trouble manoeuvring in the library with your mobility aid, please ask staff for assistance.
Accessible Services
Friendly, Helpful Staff
The staff at the Severn Township Public Library are always ready to help you. Please ask any library staff member if you need assistance with using the library:
- locating the title you want in the format you need
- looking for information in the library or online
- reaching for something on the shelf
- manoeuvring through the aisles
- using the Internet or wireless access
- printing. photocopying or scanning
- sending a fax
Please Remember: Just ask. That is what we are here for.
If you are accompanied by a Service Animal
The Library recognizes that service animals support independence and security for many people with various disabilities. Certified service animals are welcome at the Severn Township Public Library. The Library makes every reasonable effort to ensure that services and programs are compatible with your service animal.
If you are accompanied by a Support Person
The Library recognizes that support people assist people with disabilities in a variety of ways, by assisting with communication such as an intervener or sign language interpreter or as a personal support worker providing physical assistance. A support person may also be a friend or relative who accompanies the library visitor to provide assistance and support.
Staff encourage the inclusion and access of support persons who are accompanying persons with disabilities. Generally the Library does not charge for programs. If there is an attendance fee this fee will be waived for support persons assisting clients. If the fee is for cost recovery for supplies and materials, the support person will be expected to pay the fee if they are participating fully in the project.
Personal Assistive Devices
You are encouraged to bring your personal assistive devices and aids to the library with you when you need them to use our library collections, programs, and services. Library staff are diligent in removing potential barriers to the use of assistive devices whenever and wherever possible. Please alert the staff to any barriers you encounter.
Assistive Devices and Aids Provided by the Library
Book baskets
The Library provides book baskets for you to use when collecting the items in the library that you will be borrowing.
Magnifying glasses and Sheet Magnifiers
Please ask at the Front Desk to borrow:
Magnifying glass for in-library useSheet magnifier page for in-library use
“Cheater” glasses are available for in-library use in several different magnification levels (1.00, 1.50, 2.00, 2.5, 3.00, and 3.25).