Accessibility

• Library events on Zoom include live captions. Learn about enabling live captions in this how-to guide.
• Hearing loop technology, which sends sound directly to people whose hearing aids have telecoils, is provided in the Business and Community Center, Cosmos Room, Activity Room, Storytime Room, Radmacher Room, and Petty Auditorium.
• We provide closed–captioned videos on our website and YouTube channel.
• Sign language interpreters can be provided for library events with at least two weeks advance notice before the event. Call 847-324-3121 to request a sign language interpreter.

• Our building is fully accessible, with electronic entry doors and wheelchair-accessible restrooms, drinking fountain, and elevator.
• A restroom near the Café has an adult changing table.
• A wheelchair and an electronic scooter are available.
• We can mail copies of reference materials.
• Home delivery of books, CDs, movies, magazines, and audiobooks is available to those who are homebound.

The second floor Quiet Room is for patrons who may need to take a break and be alone for a little while, or who need a place to pray. It has adjustable lighting and bench seating. Please ask at the second floor Help Desk for access to this room.

The Sensory Break Room in the Kids Room offers three types of seating, adjustable color-changing lights, calming storybooks, and sensory supports. Caregivers can use this room with children to help manage meltdowns, calm anxiety, or bring a child's energy down. Please ask at the Kids Desk for access to this room. Read the Sensory Break Room guidelines.

If you have a Skokie Public Library card but can't visit our building because of age, illness, or a temporary or permanent disability, our staff and volunteers will help you choose materials and deliver them to your home every four weeks. Call us at 847-324-3133 to sign up.

• Prepare for your family's visit to the library by reading our social narrative for both kids and teens.   
• Use our Sensory Break Room to help manage meltdowns, calm anxiety, or bring your child’s energy level down.  
• Ask for an activity bin or sensory kit at the Kids Desk to use while in the library. Each container has a variety of switch-activated toys, fine-motor manipulatives, and sensory-input devices.
• Depending on your child’s reading needs, check out braille, large print or e-books.
• Listen to books by checking out read-along books, book with CD sets, and e-audiobooks.

• You can check out large-print books and magazines, download books and audiobooks, or check out books on CD.
• We offer a monthly Low Vision Support Group and a Talking Books Discussion Group.
• We can make referrals to the State of Illinois Talking Books and Braille Service.
• We offer computers and laptops with NonVisual Desktop Access, a free and open-source, portable screen reader for Microsoft Windows.
• TOPAZ OCR Desktop Video Magnifier and SARA and SOLO LV reading machines are available.

We offer a monthly discussion for people who have been diagnosed with an eye condition or have a family member who has vision impairment. A licensed social worker from Friedman Place, a nonprofit organization that provides housing and supportive services to adults who are blind or visually impaired, will address current research, assistive devices, and community resources. Sign up for upcoming meetings.

Those with visual impairments are invited to this monthly discussion of fiction and nonfiction works. Talking Books materials are mailed to all registered participants several weeks before the discussion. Call 847-324-3185 to learn more.

Families and individuals who need a quiet, uncrowded environment are invited to use the library one Sunday a month, an hour before we open. Enjoy games, crafts, the Studio, and the option to interact with Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy dogs. Find an upcoming early entry event. 

Young people ages 11-15 are invited to meet new people in a supportive environment during Friend Squad. Trained peer volunteers assist with activities, and social workers from Niles Township for Special Education support the program. Autistic youth and young people with developmental and intellectual disabilities are especially welcome. Contact the teen team to learn more.