Broward County - Celebrating Diversity in Broward County
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Spotlight - Broward County Libraries


Little boy signingBroward County Libraries Division ensures its programs and services provide books and other materials to Broward County's disabled population. This is accomplished in part through three important services.

Broward County's Talking Book Library, based in downtown Fort Lauderdale's Main Library, offers books, magazines, and other reading materials on cassette and in large-print and Braille format. Participants select their choices from a catalog, (also available on cassette, Braille, or large print), and items are mailed postage-free. Special cassette players and headphones are also provided free of charge. Potential Talking Books Library customers can pick up an application at any of Broward County Library's 37 locations; however, a certification of eligibility by a professional is required. The Broward County program, which began locally in 1977, currently reaches about 3,500 residents. In 2006 alone, over 128,000 Talking Books were circulated.

Signing Stories @ your library is a great way for deaf and hard-of-hearing customers to enjoy the storytelling experience in American Sign Language (ASL). In 2006, the Division held its first American Sign Language Literacy Festival, which attracted more than 400 attendees, including ASL interpreters, members of the deaf community and their families, and professionals who work in deafness-related fields. Close to 100 people attend the monthly Signing Stories @ your library programs at Southwest Regional Library.

Adults signingAny Broward County resident unable to visit the library because of a disability or lack of transportation is eligible to apply for Books-by-Mail, a service that allows registered customers to get books and other materials through the U.S. Postal Service. All of the library's circulating collection is available and regular library procedures are followed, although the lending period is longer to compensate for mailing time. Customers who qualify for large-print materials are eligible for the Free Matter for the Blind or Handicapped program and do not have to pay for postage. Additionally, an Institution Library Card program is available for adult congregate-living facilities.