Accessibility

Flint Public Library is committed to providing equitable access to library facilities, collections, programs and services for all library users. We provide reasonable accommodations to users with disabilities.

We encourage anyone who encounters difficulties in using the library to Contact Us and allow us to arrange reasonable accommodations. We ask for two weeks’ advance notice if you need accommodation for an upcoming program.

We are happy to report that the renovation of the Gloria Coles Flint Public Library’s historic building brought it fully into compliance with ADA regulations and current building codes.

Parking and Entrances

There are five marked handicap parking spaces in the lot, two of which are extra wide to accommodate a transport van.

The south entrance from the parking lot is fully accessible through curb cuts and gentle slopes. For the first time, the Kearsley Street doors are accessible through a gently sloping path up to and across the terrace to the entry doors. Both entrances have automatic doors.

Elevators and Rest Rooms

As before the renovation, elevators are available to the lower level and to the second floor.

Men’s and Women’s rest rooms on each floor have an accessible stall. The first and second floors both have a Family/Unisex rest room large enough to accommodate a person in a wheelchair and a caregiver. The Children’s room has three wheelchair accessible rest rooms with a child-size toilet.

The first floor has a “Parent Room” with a sink, changing table and comfortable chair.

Large Print

We have many of the same popular books you will find in the general collection in large print. Large print books can be found in a special shelf near the lobby.

Downloadable eBooks, Audiobooks and Magazines

Read or listen to eBooks, Audiobooks and Magazines on your audio-enabled device or computer. You can access these through our Overdrive collection and discover them in the Library Catalog or at FPL’s Overdrive site. Overdrive and the Libby app for Apple and Android devices are customizable for people with low vision and provide digital text for assistive reading programs on your device. Download the apps here.

Books on CD

We maintain a collection of books on CD but will be transitioning this collection to downloadable audiobooks over the next few years. Books on CD are located on the main floor in the media collection for fiction titles. Non-fiction titles are located on the upper level in the media collection.

Using Technology at the Library

Our patron computers run on the Windows operating system and we allow the user to customize many features of the computer during use. Upon reboot, any custom settings are restored to the former default state. When using library computers, people with disabilities are able to customize font size, screen color, mouse controls and other accessibility features.

ASL Interpretation

The Library will provide ASL interpretation through outside contractors upon request for selected programs. We generally require two weeks’ notice before a program in order to secure an interpreter. Contact us to inquire about or request this service.

The national program Braille and Talking Book Library (BTBL) is featured on the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity web site. BTBL provides talking books via download or by mail, as well as playback equipment, free of charge to qualifying individuals. Find out more about this low vision assistance program by calling 800-992-9012 or by visiting the State of Michigan website.

Flint Public Library welcomes library users with service animals. The work or tasks performed by the service animal must be directly related to an individual’s disability and comply with all state and federal laws, rules and regulations regarding the use of service animals.

Federal ADA rules define a service animals as: “dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.”

A service animal brought into the library must be under the control of its handler at all times. “Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless the individual’s disability prevents using these devices or these devices interfere with the service animal's safe, effective performance of tasks. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.” (ADA.gov)

Library staff may ask you (1) if your animal is a service animal required because of a disability and (2) ask what specific task your animal is trained to perform.

If you are unsure whether your dog qualifies as a service animal, you may Contact Us and Library administration will help you make that determination.