The City College Library is committed to making its resources accessible to all members of the college community. Many of the Library's resources can be accessed remotely via the Library's web site at: http://www.ccny.cuny.edu/library. Persons with disabilities can take advantage of a number of services offered by the Library to assist our users in meeting their library research needs. For more information, please contact: Mounir Khalil, MLS, Cohen Library, email: mkhalil@ccny.cuny.edu phone: (212)650-7267.

Library Services Available to Patrons with Disabilities

• Research Assistance
• Retrieving Materials from the Stacks
• Photocopying
• Assistive Technologies and Software Available in the CCNY Library
• Policies for the Use of the Assistive Technologies Laboratory

Research Assistance

• Individual Consultations.
  You can make an appointment to meet with a librarian in your subject area to obtain assistance with your research. Contact the Reference/Information Desk to find out the librarian who is the subject specialist in your area. Phone: (212)650-7612

Retrieving Materials from the Stacks

• Patrons with disabilities can make arrangements at the Reference/Information Desk to have books and journals retrieved from the shelves of any CCNY Library. At times, such as holidays and evening hours, reduced staffing may preclude staff from immediately providing such assistance, but every attempt will be made to accommodate requests in a timely manner. If you are doing extensive library research, you may find it beneficial to contact the library in advance to make an appointment, so we can serve you better.

Photocopying

• Photocopies of Journal Articles
  You can obtain copies of journal articles by submitting a request in person to the Library's Reference/Information Desk. Journal articles will be retrieved and photocopied for you. Before using this service, please obtain proper identification regarding your disability. A letter of qualification from the Office of Disabled Students' Services of CCNY will be required for this service. If you are a student at another school, a similar letter from the office providing services to disabled students where you attend will similarly be required. At times, such as holidays and evening hours, reduced staffing may preclude staff from immediately providing such assistance, but every attempt will be made to accommodate requests in a timely manner.
  
  
• Photocopies of Books
  You can obtain copies of books by taking the materials to be copied to the Library's Reference/Information Desk. Before using this service, please obtain a letter of qualification, described above. At times, such as holidays and evening hours, reduced staffing may preclude staff from immediately providing such assistance, but every attempt will be made to accommodate requests in a timely manner.

Assistive Technologies and Software Available in the CCNY Library

The City College Library provides access to its collections of printed materials to blind and visually impaired persons by the facilities available in our Assistive Technologies Laboratory located in the Cohen Library, room 3/302. Persons with physical disabilities that impair their ability to write can make use of the speech recognition system available in this lab, and people with learning or reading disabilities can make use of special software to assist them in reading and writing. The following assistive technologies are available:

• Computers equipped with scanners and assistive software such as:

JAWS, a computer's windows screen (such as a web page) is read out loud.

Vocal-Eyes, a computer's DOS screen is read out loud.

Duxbury, a Braille translation program. Converts standard text on the computer to standard Braille format.

Kurzweil 1000, printed material is scanned in and converted to speech.

Zoom Text, a screen magnification program. Text on the screen is enlarged.

Dragon Naturally Speaking speech recognition software. Spoken words are recorded to the computer and converted to typewritten text.



• Porta-Thiel, a Braille embosser.
  This machine will produce Braille on paper when used with a computer or a Braille note taker, such as the Braille 'n Speak.
• Perkins Braille writer, a manual machine for writing Braille on paper.
  
• A four track, two speed cassette tape recorder, used to play recorded books and for recording reading.
  
• CCTV (closed circuit television), used to magnify a page, which is viewed on a screen.
  
• A reading lamp with magnifier.

Policies for the Use of the Assistive Technologies Laboratory

The room key to the Assistive Technologies Laboratory will be kept at the Reserve Desk and will be available to those library users who have provided the library with proper documentation regarding their disability. A list of eligible users will be kept at the desk. A qualified individual can obtain the use of the lab for a period of two hours by signing out the key. This process can be repeated if more time is required, provided there is no one waiting to use the lab.
Those using the lab are responsible for its care and are required to report any problems, such as, broken, damaged or missing equipment or general mess and disorder. Failure to report such problems may cause the user to be held responsible. Problems should be reported immediately to the Reserve Desk. Once you have accessed the Lab, do not leave the lab open and unattended. Remember, you will be held responsible for the safety and care of the room and its equipment.

All library rules apply when using this room. There will be no eating, drinking, smoking, or music playing in this area. All items used should be put back in their proper place when you are done using them. This is extremely important; if you do not put things back in their proper place, it will be very difficult for the next person who needs to use that item to find it. This is especially important when it applies to small portable things like the Braille writer and tape recorder. Do not leave a mess. Take all your personal items with you when you leave. Any trash, such as unwanted papers should be taken out of the room and disposed with in one of the garbage cans outside of the room.

When leaving the room be sure that all equipment is turned off, including reading lamps. Close the closet door and push in your chair. Finally, turn off the light, shut and lock the door using the key and return the key to the Reserve Desk.