Join us to exchange and share ideas, discuss new research and listen to guest speakers. For more information and future meeting dates, call Library Outreach Coordinator, Cathy Thompson at 847-720-3382.

Volunteers are available to deliver items to patrons who are unable to visit the Library themselves due to temporary or chronic illness. Patrons may request specific items or types of materials, such as courtroom thrillers, mysteries on tape, classical music, etc. The materials can usually be delivered a day or two after they are requested. Volunteers can also return the materials to the Library when the patron finishes with them.

Homebound patrons may also call the Reference Desk to receive answers to questions. We can help find consumer information, health facts, all kinds of statistics, biographical data, and much, much more. Depending upon the information requested, we can telephone, fax, mail, or deliver the requested information directly to the patron's house.

The Library has a wide variety of both hardcover and paperback large print books, as well as the large print edition of Reader's Digest. Our large print collection includes nonfiction, general fiction, mysteries, romances, westerns, biographies, classics, recent bestsellers, and more. Requested large print titles not owned by the Park Ridge Public Library may be available through interlibrary loan.

The Library has a substantial collection of fiction and nonfiction audio books in both audiocassette and CD formats. These recorded books come in either abridged or unabridged formats. Requested audio books not owned by the Park Ridge Public Library may be available through interlibrary loan.

Patrons who are unable to pick up or read a book due to vision loss, reading disability, or physical limitation may be eligible for the U.S. Government Voices of Vision Program. BPH patrons receive materials recorded on special cassettes free of charge.

Thousands of books and more than 70 magazines are available for free through this federally funded program. The special equipment needed to listen to these materials and a variety of printed and recorded catalogs are also provided at no cost to the patron.

This program is conveniently handled through free mail service, so the patron does not need to visit the Library to participate. Application forms are available at the Reader Services Desk.

While a separate site, located in Geneva, Illinois (phone: 630-208-0398) houses most of the tapes and machinery used in this program, the Library maintains a small deposit collection of tapes available for BPH patrons. We can also help BPH patrons return machines that need repairs and we have loaner machines available for patrons to borrow while the broken machine is being fixed.

Descriptive videos, which add additional narration to describe the visual elements of the story, and Braille materials are also available through this program. BPH patrons using Braille materials will receive “Braille Book Review” monthly.

Hand-held magnifiers are available for in-Library use at the Children's, Reader Services, and Reference Desks. There are also several hand-held magnifiers in a variety of strengths, some of which are lighted, that are available for a six-week checkout from the Reader Services Desk.

The Library has an electronic magnification system, or closed-circuit television, that can enlarge images up to 60 times their regular size. Patrons can use this equipment to read personal letters, documents, and books, as well as to enlarge photographs. It can be used in true color or several two-color options including black-and-white, white-and-black, yellow-and-black, etc. Ask at the Reader Services Desk for a demonstration on how to use this machine.

Three Magnifying CC-TVs, including an Optelec Spectrum, Jr. similar to our in-house model, and black-and-white Telesensory and Xerox Outlook CC-TVs are each available to Park Ridge residents for a six-week checkout period upon request. The circulating CC-TVs are delivered to homes in Park Ridge by the Library free of charge. Call Reader Services, at 847-825-3123 for more information.

The Reader Services Department provides an Internet terminal loaded with Zoom Text Xtra! software. This software allows patrons to manipulate computer images by zooming-in to increase magnification or zooming-out to decrease magnification. This terminal provides a 25-inch monitor equipped with a large print modified keyboard. Call Reader Services at 847-825-3123 to schedule an appointment.

The Library owns a closed caption decoder, which provides written subtitles of the audio portion of television programs and videos. It can be borrowed for six weeks from the Reader Services Desk.

For our hearing-impaired patrons, the Library has installed a TTY (telephone-teletype) machine. Patrons with TTY equipment can call 847-825-8219 and leave a message. A staff member will handle any requests and contact the patron.

For patrons who have difficulty hearing, ask about the Williams Sound System during in-house lectures, programming, and movies. The special headphones can be used with or without a hearing aid. Please request this equipment at least one day prior to the program you will be attending no notice is needed for movie programs. We will request an ID to use this equipment. This state of the art sound system is designed to minimize interference from signals at O'Hare Airport and the surrounding Park Ridge area.

The Park Ridge Public Library will arrange and pay for a sign language interpreter for any of our public programs as long as sufficient notice is given.

The center is located on the second floor of the Library in the Reference Department. The center contains equipment designed to make reading and library use easier for the blind, physically challenged, and learning-disabled. Documents can be scanned and read aloud, print can be easily translated to Braille and Braille to print, text can be read aloud while typing, and more!