Audiobooks

Audiobooks are available on CD and as downloadable eAudiobooks. Both are listed in the library catalog by format. You can also search by title and author. Downloadable eAudiobooks are also available directly from the library's two platforms, cloudLibrary and Library2Go.

Braille Books

A small collection of braille books are available, primarily children's titles. They are listed in the library catalog by format. Braille materials are listed with a format of "Braille."

Closed-Captioned Videos

Closed-captioned videos display dialogue and narration on the screen.

Closed-captioned editions of many movies are available on DVD through the library catalog. DVDs with closed-captioning have a genre of "video recordings for the hearing impaired" listed in the catalog record.

Closed-captioned editions of streaming videos are also available through Kanopy. Review instructions for enabling closed captions, subtitles, and transcripts.

Described Videos

Described videos include a verbal description of the setting and action for people with visual disabilities. Described video editions of many movies are available on DVD and are listed in the library catalog. Described videos have a genre of "video recordings for people with visual disabilities" or "DVS" listed in the catalog record.

Downloadable eBooks

Downloadable eBooks from the library's eBook platforms also provide typeface and font size options.

• cloudLibrary includes many accessibility options, including Text-to-Speech, font size and typeface options, and OpenDyslexic font. More information about cloudLibrary.
• Overdrive includes many accessibility options on its website and in its Libby app, including screen reader compatibility, PDF and EPUB formats, font size options, and OpenDyslexic font (Overdrive and Libby). Complete Libby accessibility information for Libby users is available from the Libby help portal.

Large Print Materials

Materials in larger typeface are available in fiction and nonfiction books. These are listed in the library catalog by format. You can also search by author and title. Large print materials are listed with a format of "Book (large print)."

Talking Book and Braille Services

Oregonians with visual, physical, or reading impairments may also be eligible for the Talking Book and Braille Services program from the State Library of Oregon. To learn more or to see if you qualify, call 800-452-0292 or visit the Talking Book and Braille Library website. Staff at the Salem Public Library are also happy to assist you in enrolling in this statewide program. Call 503-588-6089 to learn more and get enrollment assistance.

All library building entries have either automatic doors or doors that open with the push of a button.

The Main Library is ADA compliant. There are two elevators. Building room signage includes Braille characters. Loucks Auditorium has a wheelchair-accessible seating and stage access.

The West Salem Branch has an accessible book drop during open hours. After hours, the book drop on the building exterior is only accessible via a stairway.

Library events are open, public meetings at accessible locations. Special accommodations are available, upon request, for persons with disabilities. Services may be requested for sign language interpretation or languages other than English. To request accommodations or services, please call Library Administration at 503-588-6315 (711 for relay service) at least two business days prior to the event.

Loucks Auditorium and the Anderson Rooms are equipped with assistive listening systems for use by patrons wearing hearing aids.

Sign language interpretation and interpretation in languages other than English is available for library programs and services. To request language interpretation, please call Library Administration at 503-588-6315 (711 for relay service).

Several staff members are multilingual and can provide assistance in languages other than English. In addition, library service desks have access to Mesay pocket translators that provide auto-translation for multiple languages on demand.

The Library of Things offers a variety of useful items for accessibility, including:

• Document, book, and image scanners
• Reading magnifiers
• Digital audiovisual converters
• Laptops and hotspots
• Blood pressure monitors
• Air quality monitors
• Trekking poles
• Oversized games including giant checkers, tic tac toe, yard dice, Jenga, Uno, and Sequence.

Main Library

Main Library accessible parking by permit is available in two locations. Multiple spaces are available in the surface lot (use Liberty Street entrance and turn right). One space is available in the bus turnout lane off Commercial Street.

Salem Public Library is located on Cherriots Route 21.  

West Salem Branch Library

West Salem Branch Library accessible parking by permit is available on the north side of the building. The north side entrance has a wheelchair-accessible ramp.

The nearest bus stop is the West Salem Transit Center on Cornucopia Street NW on the east side of the library.

All public use computers at Salem Public Library have Windows accessibility tools, including Magnifier, Narrator, and contrast adjustments. High contrast keyboards and headphones are available on request.

The Main Library has laptops available for checkout that can be used in a variety of seating options. There are three laptops equipped with Dragon Naturally Speaking speech-to-text software and headsets (one in Youth Services; two in the Adult Computer Area).

Earplugs and noise-cancelling headphones are available to borrow from the Floor 1 Ask Here Desk.

If you believe you or any program beneficiary has been subjected to unequal treatment or discrimination in the receipt of benefits or services from the City because of a disability, you may file a report of concern with the Title VI / Section 504 Coordinator.

Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are available on all three floors of the Main Library and in Loucks Auditorium. Single stall restrooms are available on Floor 2.

A single stall wheelchair restroom is available at the West Salem Branch Library.

All are welcome to use the restroom that aligns with their gender expression or identity.

Service animals and service animals in training are permitted in the Library. Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained (or in training) to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.

The library's catalog offers an Accessibility Mode. Click the icon to enter Accessibility Mode. The library catalog is also offered as a mobile app for Android and Apple users.