Accessibility

If you need assistance in retrieving Library materials, you may request it at any public service point. To preorder materials for pick-up, visit our online catalog, call one of our libraries, or email our Reference staff. Home delivery of materials is available for qualified residents.

Computers

Public desktop computers require a Library card or a free guest pass. They are equipped with standard Windows accessibility features and are available at both bar-height and standard-height desks.

The following computer accessories and pieces of accessibility equipment are available for in-Library use upon request at the Reference Desk:

• Book Scanner with scan-to-MP3 and scan-to-translate capability
• Digital Magnifier
• USB High-Contrast Keyboard

Workshop Macbook Pros require a Library card. They are equipped with standard Mac accessibility features and can be used at any of the Workshop’s adjustable-height tables.

The following computer accessories and pieces of accessibility equipment are available for in-Library use upon request at the Workshop Desk:

• Over-Ear Headphones
• Bluetooth Mice

Up to 10 pages of free black and white printing and copying is available per person per day. Additional printing or copies are 15¢/page for black and white or 40¢/page for color.

Drinking Fountains

Public drinking fountain are available:

• in the hallway beside the Sudbury Road entrance, across from the Circulation Desk and
• outside the Children’s Library entrance

A water bottle refill station is also located outside the Children’s Library entrance.

Entrances

The Sudbury Road and 151 Main Street entrances are accessible from the sidewalk and equipped with electric door openers. The Children’s Garden is accessible from within the Library (the path from the street is not accessible) but not equipped with an electric door opener.

Elevators

Elevator access to the lower level and second and third floor stacks is available in the hallway beside the Sudbury Road entrance, across from the Circulation Desk. Elevator access to the Art Gallery is available in the Rotunda, next to the entrance to the Thoreau Room.

Event Spaces

Children's Library

The Children’s Library is located on the west end of the Library by the 151 Main Street entrance. It is also ramp-accessible from the Sudbury Road entrance.

Goodwin Forum

The Goodwin Forum is located on the Library's main floor, across from the Circulation desk. It is closest to the Sudbury Road entrance but is also ramp-accessible from the 151 Main Street entrance. Assistive listening devices are available for all events held in the Goodwin Forum with headphone, on-ear speaker, and loop attachment options

The Workshop

The Workshop is located on the west end of the Library by the 151 Main Street entrance. It is also ramp-accessible from the Sudbury Road entrance. All tables in the Workshop are adjustable-height.

Map

Download a map of the Main Library.

Parking

Two dedicated accessible parking spots are available in front of the 151 Main Street entrance. Additional free parking, including dedicated accessible parking spots, is available in the Town lot across the street from the Sudbury Road entrance.

Restrooms

All restrooms at the Main Library are ADA compliant and equipped with changing stations. 

• Gendered restrooms are located in the hallway beside the Sudbury Road entrance, across from the Circulation Desk.
• Gender-neutral restrooms are available in the Children’s Library and the Workshop makerspace.

Study Spaces

Standard-height tables are available throughout the Library building for reading and studying.

Silent Study Space

Silent study space is available:

• in the Thoreau Room on the eastern side of the main floor
• in the Reference Room on the eastern side of the main floor

Collaborative Study Space

Collaborative study space is available in the Commons on the western side of the main floor and in the Teen Room (for patrons ages 10-18).

Private Study & Meeting Rooms

Three private study rooms are available by request on a first come, first served basis at the Reference Desk for up to two hours of use per day. Meeting rooms are available by request on our website.

Computers

Public desktop computers are available at standard-height desks on the main floor of the Fowler Library. They require a Library card or a free guest pass, available at the front desk and are equipped with standard Windows accessibility features.

• One public computer is equipped with the following:
• Book Scanner with scan-to-MP3 and scan-to-translate capability
• Digital Magnifier
• USB High-Contrast Keyboard

Up to 10 pages of free black and white printing and copying is available per person per day. Additional printing or copies are 15¢/page for black and white or 40¢/page for color.

Drinking Fountains

Public drinking fountains are available:

• On the main level, between the restrooms and
• On the lower level, in the final aisle of nonfiction.

The main level water fountain also contains a water bottle refill station.

Entrances

The 1322 Main Street entrance is accessible from the sidewalk and equipped with an electric door opener.

Elevators

Elevator access to the lower level is available across from the copier station.

Event Space

The Fowler Meeting Room is located on the lower level and accessible via elevator.

Map

Download a map of the Fowler Library.

Parking

Two dedicated accessible parking spots are available in the Fowler Library parking lot at the beginning of the walkway. Free parking is available in the lot and along Main Street in front of the library.

Restrooms

All restrooms at Fowler Library are ADA compliant and equipped with changing stations. Gender-neutral, single-stall restrooms are available on both levels.

Study Spaces

Standard-height tables are available throughout the Library building for reading and studying. Collaborative study space is available throughout the building. The Fowler Meeting Room is available by request on our website. Due to the open layout of the building, Fowler does not have dedicated quiet study spaces, but patrons are welcome to use the meeting room when it is not reserved on a first come, first serve basis.

We are actively working to increase our website accessibility and usability.

In pursuit of greater accessibility, the Library aspires to AA conformance to W3C’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. These guidelines are an industry standard which help Web resources be more accessible to all people, regardless of technology or ability.

The Library understands that even if we surpass these guidelines there may yet be inadequate accessibility for some users. Therefore, we are always seeking to implement new solutions to ensure all people can access our resources, programs, and services. If you encounter any accessibility issues when using our website, don’t hesitate to contact us.