Accessibility

The Waukegan Public Library complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Patrons needing an accommodation for a disability are asked to contact the Library at (847) 623-2041 at least 48 hours in advance of the program or visit.

Facility:

Handicapped parking.

Three handicapped parking spaces for properly identified vehicles are located around the library. The spaces are located:
The space closest to the main entrance on Clayton Street,
The space closest to the main entrance on County Street, and
The space closest to the handicapped ramp at the rear of the building in the staff lot.

Elevators

The main entrance of the building brings you into the first floor which has Circulation, Adult Services, the Computer Training Center, Literacy Office, and Interlibrary Loan Office.

The elevator with the blue door located to the left of the main entrance will take you to the lower level where the Ray Bradbury Meeting Room, the Children's Department and its story room and classroom, and the Friends Bookstore are located.

Library offices and the Board Room located on the second floor and are accessible to patrons.

Restrooms

Handicapped restrooms are available on the main floor and lower level of the building.

Services and Materials:

Home Delivery Service

If you are a Waukegan resident who is homebound, temporarily or long term, you are eligible to receive free library delivery service. This service is administered by Volunteer Coordinator, Mary Maxwell, with delivery provided by dedicated volunteers. For more details visit our home delivery services page or call (847) 623-2041, extension 257.

Illinois Relay Service

Patrons with hearing or speech disabilities can use a text telephone to call a Communications Assistant at 1-800-526-0844. The Communications Assistant will then call the library at (847) 623-2041 and relay the conversations.

Voices of Vision Talking Book Center

This service offers talking books for individuals with physical disabilities. If you are unable to read or use standard printed materials because of a physical limitation that prevents holding a book, turning pages, or seeing printed words, you may be eligible to borrow recorded books, listening devices, and accessories through this free service. Service is offered through a regional center located at the DuPage Library System. More information is available about this free home service at www.dupagels.lib.il.us/pages/who.html

Audio Books

Fiction and nonfiction recorded books are available for loan. Both audio cassettes and CDs are represented in this collection.

Descriptive Video Recordings

Descriptive videos are available at the Waukegan Public Library. These videos of popular movies are adapted for the visually impaired. The video contains narrated descriptions to go along with the dialog and sound effects. A listing to these titles can be found in the library's catalog under the subject search: video recordings for people with visual disabilities. Additional titles are available from the Voices of Vision Talking Book Center.

Large Print Books

Large print books are available for patrons to borrow. This collection includes a variety of titles. Titles not owned by the library may be available through interlibrary loan.

Assistive Technology Devices:

TDD

Patrons who have hearing or speech impairments and access to a TDD can call the library's TDD machine at (847) 623-8940.

Magnifier

An Optelec 20/20 Plus magnifier is available for patrons to enlarge and view print items such as books, letters, and magazines.

Magnification Software

The computers provided by a grant from the Gates Foundation have a big print profile which automatically enlarges all text on the screen including the buttons and drop down menus. Other public computers can be changed to a large print setting. Please ask a reference librarian for assistance with these machines.

Microfilm Reader

The microfilm reader has enlargement capabilities for the microfilm being viewed.