Accessibility at the Smithsonian Institution Libraries

Branch Libraries

• The Libraries will, with advance notice, make accommodations for special needs of the research community. The services listed below are available now.
• All branch libraries in the Washington, D. C., area are wheelchair accessible, as is the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum Branch in New York and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Branch in the Republic of Panama.
• The branch library at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) in Edgewater, Maryland, is not wheelchair accessible. The SERC Branch Librarian will work with disabled users to provide library services. Please call the Branch Librarian at 301-261-4190.

TTY number

• 202-357-2158. This number serves Museum Reference Services Library and the Smithsonian Institution Libraries' Director's Office. Inquiries will be forwarded to the appropriate SIL library.

Large-print publications

• All SIL libraries have a large-type copy of the Smithsonian Institution Libraries User Guide at the circulation desk. In
  addition, libraries with printed library guides have large-type versions available at the circulation desks.

Special Equipment

• Printed Text Enlarger
  The Libraries has an Optelec 20/20 Plus Video magnification system. Books and journal articles can be placed on it and
  the print or image is magnified to a size readable for the user.

• ZoomText Plus Software
  When installed on a pc, this software magnifies text and images on the computer screen for users with visual impairment.
  

Internet - World Wide Web

• The Smithsonian Institution Libraries strives to meet all accessibility guidelines in the design of its web pages.
• Computer users are encouraged to adjust font size, using their browser's "set font" options.

Libraries Exhibition Gallery (located in the National Museum of American History)

• The Gallery is wheelchair accessible.
• A large print guide of the exhibition is available for use on site in the gallery. A second copy is available at the
  Constitution Avenue Information Desk. Please return the guide for the use of future visitors.
• A Braille guide of the exhibition is available on site in the gallery. A second copy is available at the Constitution
  Avenue Information Desk. Please return the guide for the use of future visitors.

Libraries Newsletter, Information

• Online. Information with full text and images, is available on the Smithsonian Institution Libraries Home Page. For larger
  font size, adjust your computer browser at "set font" options.
• Large print. The text of the newsletter is available in large-print version. To request a copy call the Director's Office,
  202-357-2240.

Libraries Public Lectures and Programs

• Lectures are held in wheelchair accessible areas.
• With two weeks' advance notice, the Libraries will make arrangements for special accommodations at its public
  lectures and programs. To request special accommodation call 202-357-1940.