Library Accessibility

We welcome all members of our community. BCLS offers a full range of information, program and services and strives to keep an inviting and accessible culture at all our branches.

Accessible Resources

We have a wealth of accessible material for all members of our community. For questions, please contact your library staff for details about any of the following:

  • Audiobooks/ eAudiobooks/ Read Alongs
  • eBooks with text formatting features on Libby
    • Libby is an easy-to-use reading experience from OverDrive, the library system’s ebook and audio ebook provider. Text can be adjusted for clarity and ease.
  • Large Print Adults/Teens/Children
    • We offer large print books for readers of all ages. Please speak with a staff member to learn more about this collection at your library.
  • DVD/BluRay & Streaming on Kanopy
    • Our DVD & BluRay collection offers closed captioning and descriptive audio options for the vision imaired. Kanopy, the library's film streaming platform, also offers closed captioning and is accessible through the library website. 
  • Sensory Events
    • An interactive approach to reading a book to children that incorporates the five senses. Please check our Events for more information about this category of library programming.
  • Mobile Library
    • Our mobile library service brings library items and resources to customers across Burlington County. The weekly schedule is available on the library website.
  • Library by Mail
    • We offer home delivery of select library material via the US Postal Service. This service is available to homebound customers at no charge (Homebound Customer Certification form must be completed by a physician).
  • Access to BARD Express
    • BARD Express is now available at all branch library locations. This service is available to visually impaired customers who are TBBC registered members wishing to download audio material.
  • Books in Braille
    • Some of our library locations carry books in braille. Learn more about your library's collection by speaking with a staff member.
  • ASL classes 
  • Digital Newspapers & Magazines
    • Newsbank is a resource providing access to local newspapers. Library customers can access a web-reader service to listen to news articles, obituaries, editorials, sports and other events.
    • eMagazines on Overdrive and Libby are digital magazine resources accessible through the library website and on the Libby app. The collection offers 5,069 magazines in 23 languages that include Country Living, Newsweek, The New Yorker, Oprah, Readers Digest, House Beautiful and many more. Users have access to color contrast and a zoom feature to adjust text for a comfortable reading experience

Accessible Equipment

Your library offers equipment to assist customers accessing information and resources. Please speak with a staff member if you have questions about any of the following:

  • Accessibility Lift
    • An accessibility lift is available for users with wheelchairs and other assistive walking devices at the Burlington County Library (Auditorium) and Bordentown (events room) library locations.
  • Auditorium Hearing Assistance Device
    • To enhance your listening experience during events in our auditorium we offer a hearing assistance device. Available by request at the Burlington County Library.
  • Magnifying Glass
    • A hand held magnifying glass is available at all library locations. 
  • Magnifying Readers
  • PC Ease of Access
    • Public Computers are available at all branches. Computers are equipped with Microsoft 2016, which includes the Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher and Access applications.
    • Microsoft Word offers a Zoom Feature to enlarge the on-screen font while typing.
    • Public Computers are equipped with Ease of Access - offering options for accessibility enhancements. Open Ease of Access on a PC by pressing the CTRL, ALT, and Delete keys on the computer's keyboard at the same time. Users will then select the icon in the bottom left of the screen. Ease of Access allows users to enable the following:
      • Narrator
        • Allows the user to hear text on screen read aloud. Customers must use headphones.
      • Magnifier
        • Makes items on the computer screen larger.
      • High Contrast
        • Allows the user to see more contrast in colors.
      • On-Screen Keyboard
        • Allows the user to type using the mouse.
      • Sticky Keys
        • Press keyboard shortcuts one key at a time.
      • Filter Keys
        • PC will ignore the extra presses of keys if keys are done repeatedly.
  • Talking Book & Braille Center Audio Player
  • Video Screen Magnifier

Video Relay Service for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

This service and equipment is specifically for our Deaf and hearing-impaired customers who speak American Sign Language (ASL), and is available at the Burlington County Library. The VRS offers ASL interpretation for telephone calls between a Deaf person and a hearing person in different locations through the use of videoconferencing technology. 

The Deaf person connects to an interpreter via a videophone and a high-speed internet connection. The hearing person connects to the interpreter using a regular voice telephone.

An appointment is required to use the
Video Relay Service at the Burlington County Library.

To request an appointment via email please contact us at vrs@bcls.lib.nj.us

This service is provided through Sorenson. The VRS calls are paid for by mandatory contributions from telecommunications users to the Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund, established by the United States government under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

For questions or inquiries please call the library Reference Desk at 609-267-9660 or email at vrs@bcls.lib.nj.us.

TumbleBooks

Libby

Kanopy

Mobile Library