Access for Persons with Disabilities

The Science, Industry and Business Library (SIBL) is fully accessible to users with physical disabilities and is committed to enabling readers with physical disabilities to take full advantage of the Library's resources. In order to assist people with disabilities, the staff takes an active approach to providing access to its services and collections. The building, elevator, restrooms, and reading rooms are wheelchair accessible. Reading tables, computer workstations, and service desks are at a comfortable level for wheelchair users. An ADA-compliant photocopy machine is located on the street level. The Library's staff is always available during your visit for clarification and assistance.

Queries regarding services can be made by telephone at 212-592-7000, press 4, and by e-mail at sibleref@nypl.org.

SIBL provides a variety of assistive technology and services to blind and low vision users. Public access computers including library catalogs are equipped with easy to use font enlargement functions.

More specialized assistive technology is offered on the lower level at SIBL in a variety of spaces: Near the elevator, in a room just outside the Elizabeth and Felix Rohatyn Electronic Information Center, a Kurzweil 1000 Scanner enables users to scan, listen to, or download a printed document. A Kurzweil Reading Edge scans and audibly reads printed material. In the same location, two computers are available with screen reading and magnification software for the visually impaired. Products available include Jaws- an audible screen reader which enables a user to read (listen) and save to disk searches done in the Library catalogs, databases, and the Internet, and Magic- a screen magnification system which enlarges words or images on a computer screen. Window Eyes and Zoom Text programs are also available.

In the Salomon Reading Room, a CCTV magnifier is available which enables different levels of magnification and enhanced lighting for easier reading of printed material.