Patrons with Disabilities

The Gale Free Library is a fully ADA accessible building, which includes handicap parking and power access doors. We also have wheelchair accessible computer stations throughout the building. Whenever possible the library will make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities in order to provide an equal opportunity to enjoy and participate in the programs, services, and activities we offer. Upon request, library staff will assist with the retrieval of books.

Services, Collections, and Equipment

The collection of materials we have available (both physical and digital) are meant to support our patrons with understanding and accommodating specific disabilities and their related concerns.

Physical materials meant to accomidate users include:

Large Print materials
ebooks
Audiobooks - physical and downloadable
DVD's with subtitles and closed-captioning capabilitites
Hand-held illuminated magnifiers
language learning materials (online and print)
Zoom text (a computer program installed on one of our public access terminals, which will magnify and manipulate the computer screens presentation, allowing patrons with visual concerns to navigate more easily)

The staff of the Gale Free Library strive to be friendly, informed, and accommodating; if you need additional help, just ask!

Further links of interest:

Massachusetts Commission for the Blind

Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf

Worcester Talking Book Library

The Worcester Talking Book Library (WTBL) provides free services to Massachusetts residents of any age who are unable to read traditional print materials due to a visual or physical disability. The WTBL has access to more than 1.2 million volumes of digital books including large type, described videos, braille, and 100 magazine titles in recorded and braille format, and provides mail-order service by telephone, as well as immediate service on a walk-in basis.

Learn more about WTBL and the available services here: https://talkingbook.mywpl.org/

The Book Express

In partnership with the Holden Senior Center, The Gale Free Library delivers library materials to Holden residents who are housebound. The library personally selects books that are of interest to the participating reader and they are delivered by a Senior center volunteer. This program is meant to assist patrons who are both temporarily or permanently housebound and would like to utilize library services.

Please call our head of Circulation @ (508) 210-5560 (ext 4194) if you are interested in signing up.