Introduction
There are a variety of library services available to persons with differing abilities at The College of New Jersey.
Library services are available to students, faculty and staff of The College of New Jersey who are permanently or temporarily disabled. It is recommended that you register with Disability Support Services, telephone: (609) 771-2571 in order to receive disability accommodation in the library. All registration is confidential. Information about the Office is available at its Web site: https://differingabilities.tcnj.edu/ Individuals who are not students, faculty, or staff at The College of New Jersey but request special services are served on a case-by-case basis. Please contact an Access Services supervisor, telephone: (609) 771-2311, or Bethany B. Sewell, coordinator for Library services to persons with disabilities, telephone: (609) 771-2405 or email sewellb@tcnj.edu
Using the Library’s web site, you can access periodical and full-text databases, electronic journals, electronic books and a vast array of other resources selected by library staff for the college community. Convenient links to library staff e-mail addresses facilitate contact between us. The web-based Library Catalog allows you to search the library holdings from any device with an Internet connection and browser. Also, you can check due dates for books you have charged out and request circulation renewals. You can borrow items our library does not own through our Interlibrary Loan request forms at: https://tcnj.illiad.oclc.org/illiad. For instructions on accessing TCNJ Library online resources outside the Library building and off-campus, visit this web site: https://library.tcnj.edu/about-the-library/off-campus-access/ The Americans with Disabilities Act Policy is outlined on the College web site at: https://differingabilities.tcnj.edu/students/accommodationprocess/accommodation/
Access to print collections
- Scanners: Scanners are available in the library in the Reference Room. In addition to two traditional scanners in the Reference Room, the library also has a KIC Click Mini Scanner. This scanner is capable of output formats including MP3 for text-to-speech files and features easy to use overhead scanning and real-time image editing. Please see the IT specialist at the Reference Desk for assistance with scanning.
- Document Delivery: The library also provides a document delivery service. To request scans of library print materials (within copyright limits) https://libguides.tcnj.edu/DocumentDelivery
- Paging: To request library materials to be pulled from the shelves and held for you at our Access Services Desk, use our holds service: https://libguides.tcnj.edu/holds
- Proxy Borrowers: You may designate another person such as an aide, family member, or friend, to conduct library business on your behalf. This is called proxy borrowing. Your proxy borrower may then complete forms, pick up and return materials, and conduct other business without your being present. Note that you are responsible for all fines and lost book bills incurred by your proxy borrower on your behalf. Adaptive technology software is designed to help the population with disabilities have a full experience on the Internet. Below are just a few of the numerous packages of software available. You may request a proxy borrower here: tcnj.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/
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Architectural accessibility
- The R. Barbara Gitenstein Library and its entrance doors, rest rooms, and other public spaces have been constructed to improve accessibility. Contact the Access Services Desk, telephone: (609) 771-2311 or email circ@tcnj.edu for assistance with accessing the library building.
Adaptive equipment in the Library
- Adjustable tables are available in Reference Room, please ask for locations at Reference or the Access Services Desk
- Prisma is a full color video magnifier with a adjustable camera stand and integral table that allows ranges of magnification. This device is available in Reference Room.
- Earphones for Adaptive Technology are available for check out at the Access Services Desk.
- The Hearing Helper® System helps listeners overcome background noise, reverberation, and distance from the speaker in classrooms and small groups. These devices are are available for check out at the Access Services Desk.
- Closed Caption TVs – 4th Floor
Adaptive technologies on Windows 10 machines in the library
- Ease of Access – There are accessibility settings and programs available from Windows. Go to Start, then Control Panel, then, Ease of Access.
- Read Out Loud – This screen reader is available to everyone on the campus network through ZENworks Application Window. Available on all networked machines. Go to Start, thenAll Programs, then Novell ZENworks, then ZENworks Application Window, then Library, finally Read Out Loud.
- Kurzweil 3000 – (LIB61 and LIB69 – Reference Room) This software offers a combined scanning and reading application that coverts printed text into audio feedback. Library Tutorial:Kurzweil 3000
- ZoomText Xtra – (LIB70, LIB92 – Reference Room) The ZoomText Xtra software package, developed by Ai Squared, consists of a screen magnifier that provides 2x to 16x magnification and a fully integrated magnifier and screen reader designed specifically for the low-vision computer user. Library Tutorial: ZoomText Extra
- JAWS – (LIB104 – Reference Room) JAWS is a screen reading software program for blind and low vision users.
- “Text-to-Speech” feature for articles from WilsonWeb – WilsonWeb, publisher of such databases as Education Abstracts, Reader’s Guide, Social Sciences Abstracts and many others, now offers an audio Text-to-Speech version of every article available in HTML in every Wilson database. WilsonWeb’s “Text- to-Speech“ feature requires no special software. To use it, simply click on the HTML Full Text icon. Then click on the Listen icon to hear the audio version of the full text. Articles may also be downloaded as MP3 files to be played back later. The Text- to- Speech feature offers assistance to people with different learning styles, readers with impaired vision or dyslexia, and ESL learners.
More Information About Adaptive Technology Tools –
The Adaptive Technology Center for New Jersey Colleges – provides adaptive technology support to college students with disabilities.
TECH-NJ is a publication from TCNJ that focuses on adaptive technology.
Library Orientation
- Individual and small-group orientations are available upon request. Orientations include guided tours of library facilities and reviews of services described within this document. The Library offers many user education programs. If you wish to attend and have special needs of which the instructor should be aware, your needs will be accommodated if advance notice is provided. For more information contact John Oliver, the Information Literacy Librarian for the Library at (609) 771-2418 or oliverj@tcnj.edu if you require an individual orientation or special classroom accommodations for user education sessions.
