Accessibility at the Hopkinton Public Library

How to Use Accessibility Widget for Website:
In the top-right corner of the webpage, there is an accessibility icon; round, blue, with a figure in it. This widget is powered by UserWay and allows a range of alterations to effect the Hopkinton Public Library website for your use of access.
Multiple effects can be turned on at once and they can be reset with one button at the bottom of the widget; this tool can also be moved around the screen or hidden

Options Include:
– Contrast and Saturation
– Highlight Links
– Bigger Text
– Text Spacing, Line Height, Text Alignment
– Pause Animations
– Hide Images
– Dyslexia Friendly
– Big Cursor, Reading Guide, Reading Mask
– Tool Tips

Parking
– Accessible Parking spaces are available at the back of the building- off of Church St.- in our parking lot. There are two accessible parking spots with a shared loading zone; these require a tag or plate.
– St John the Evangelist Parish on Church Street allows us to use their lot for overflow parking; there is also street parking available on Church St. and Main St.

Doors
– The only automatic doors in the building are located on the Church Street Entrance. A lot of other doors including the glass Main Street doors and the restroom doors can be heavy.
– Doors to certain areas may be left closed due to temperature/ location/ or programming- there is usually signage to denote the occasion.

Service Animals
– While pets are not allowed in town facilities, service animals and service animals in training are- the staff may inquire about the animal upon entry.
Animals in the Library Policy – Hopkinton
– We are permitted to ask if the animal is a Service Animal and What the Animal is Trained For.
Massachusetts Laws about Service Animals

Health and Emergency Accommodations and Services
– We do not abide by any rules or policies regarding food allergies. While we do not allow meals beyond snack foods, allergens may be present on site.
Please check below for more information on Food in the Library.

Medical and Emergency Assistance
– We keep fentanyl test strips in the restrooms for patron use and Narcan/ Naloxone is available at the Reference and Circulation Desks
– We cannot guarantee there will be staff available at all times that are trained to use it
– Automated External Defibrillator (AED) On Site- Circulation Desk
– We cannot guarantee there will be staff available at all times that are trained to use it

* If there are emergencies beyond a first aid kit, please contact the nearest staff member or information desk to aid and/or contact the appropriate emergency services (first aid kit available at circulation desk)

Bathrooms
– The main level’s gender neutral/ family restroom is the most accessible restroom on site. More gender neutral restrooms are present on the top floor in children’s and the lower level in reference.
– Most restrooms have changing tables and hand bars.
– By the main level restrooms, there is a coatrack and hangers to hang up belongings- just know this is not monitored by staff nor are they responsible for your belongings.

Elevator/ Stairs
– When entering the building, the elevator is past the new materials and to the right- this is also where the stairs are.
– There are labels beside each button denoting what is available on that floor; Like signage is not currently available in the stairwell.
– There are no non-slip coatings or otherwise present in the stairwell to prevent slipping beside a handrail, please be cautious during wetter weather.

Food & Water
– A water bottle refill and water fountain station is available on the main floor by the restrooms and vending machine.
– Food is allowed in the “Cafe” or common area just across from the Circulation Desk on the main floor- this includes snack foods and drinks, excluding hot meals/ full meals and sandwiches.
– Covered drinks are allowed throughout the building
– Snacks are only allowed elsewhere if there is signage saying so (main floor tables are a “Yes”, in front of computers is a “No”).
– There is a designated snack table in the children’s room for little ones.
* Food for Programming or other like events must be approved by the Director ahead of time.

English Language Learning
Website Page with more Information

Main Floor
– Circulation Desk has a Device that allows for real time Translations. (PocketTalk Device)
– Hearing Assistive Items are Available for the Strong Room. With advanced notice, HPL and the Town can acquire an ASL Interpreter.

Young Adult Room
– YA Audio Books are available via PlayAway format upon entering the YA room on a rotating display; we are also able to order in materials and help with Libby.
– There is a Hi/Lo (High Interest/ Low Readability) selection with topics with high teen and emerging adult interest that may interest language learners.

Children’s
– The Languages available in this space and the library in general are limited. We are always able to order out for whatever you may need that is available. Please talk to a staff member if you need assistance.

Reference/ Lower Level
– We can help you in navigating digital content through Libby.
– There are some books in a growing collection on the lower level for a growing range of languages in the area- we can order from elsewhere if requested. They are currently located on the wall across from the Adult PlayAway Collection in the first aisle.
– Captions can be used with video calling platforms- such as Zoom and Google Meets- and when there are presentations/ films, given time to prepare we can arrange for captions.

* If an interpreter/ translator/ or further accommodations are needed, please contact the library prior.

Entrances
– The Doors to Main Street are made of glass and can be difficult to see and maneuver

Main Floor
– New adult books and PlayAway on display are neat and forward facing 
– Large Print Materials are Available on this Floor; at the beginning of Adult Fiction; When ordering materials from other libraries, ask the staff if large print is available

Young Adult Room
– There are a few selections available that are YA located in the Large Print section in the Adult Fiction Area (YA Librarian is more than happy to direct that way as needed)
– There are a range of materials available in the YA room with Deslexie Font
– YA Playaways are located by the entrance of the YA room on a rotating display

Children’s
– Signage and Wayfinding is at its best in this space
– Children’s materials in Playaway form and Wonder/Vox Books (books with audio devices built into them) are available
– We can order and circulate Braille materials as needed- please reach out to Library Staff ; Some large print options are also available

Reference/ Lower Level
– Playaways and books on CD for adults are present
– We offer a keyboard with larger keys and brail for in-house use on our computers (upon request we can move either or both of these into the YA space for a session)- We also have a mouse available upon request with larger buttons
– Supervisor Danielle Wolber can work with you in coordination with the Worcester Talking Book Library to obtain materials
Danielle Wolber Contact: dwolber@hopkintonma.gov

Entrances
– Entrance on Church Street has an ADA Compliant ramp with railings- however can be dark at night.
– Automated opening for the doors via buttons are available at this entrance- they can be a little hard to miss, when facing the building they are on your right
– Main Street Entrance is ADA compliant though offers a bit of a steep incline with no railings.
– The doors at this entrance are not automated and they are heavy [glass]

Main Floor
– Adult Fiction Aisles can be tight for larger mobility devices like wheelchairs
– New Displays have wider spacing

Young Adult Room
– Navigation can be a little tricky given the size of the room, especially when there are chairs not pushed in
– There are two computers at the front of the room at a regular desk height that are more accessible
– Table Height: About 28” from floor to tabletop 

Children’s
– Aisles are wide enough for most mobility aids and devices
– Most materials are within reaching distance with aids and do not rest on the highest shelves

Reference/ Lower Level
– General Accessibility: We offer a keyboard with larger keys and brail for in-house use on our computers- currently plugged in at computer “REF 8” across from the reference desk
– We also have a Ball Mouse with Large Clicker Buttons, Ear Plugs and Ear Buds

– Aisles may be difficulty with larger mobility devices- Width: 3ft (ADA Compliant)
– Aisle 2-3 is smaller at 2.5ft and between 12 and the Wall it is 2.75ft- while both are compliant they are not as wide

– During weeding, we have moved some materials to the top and bottom shelves in saving space and to stop from being bumped into during navigation
– Some larger books stick out into the aisle more than others and can impede accessibility
– We understand that this is an inconvenience and are working to improve the space best we can as we can

Main Floor
– Lights are the circulation desk are plentiful and bright- spotlights
– Not an area of designated quietness

Young Adult Room
– Especially on early release days during the school year, this space can be intense
– There are some good seating areas and dimness of lights in different areas of this room

This room has its own collection of Fidget Toys provided by the Library and are presently located at the end of the Computer Bar against the interior windows
Please Note: These fidget toys are intended for YA use only- toys and sensory items for younger individuals are located in the children’s room

Children’s
– There is no guaranteed quiet or calmness; there are plenty of play areas and activities/ programming happening consistently
– Sensory items on walls as well as a rotating selection of toys are available
The Programming Room:
– Lighting can be more intense and bright in this space compared to others on this floor and throughout the library
– This area is also known to be very warm

Reference/ Lower Level
– Designated as the Quiet Floor

– Study Rooms are not sound proof nor sound dampened so noise carries and echoes; please be aware
– Cold in the study room? We have space heaters that we can provide upon request
– Due to building limitations, these rooms do get hot and humid in warmer weather; we apologize for the inconvenience

A Note on Fragrances:
– Hopkinton Public Library is doing its best to respect and accommodate the needs of all patrons, that includes those with chemical sensitives. Please note that while we cannot address all exterior factors, we are making sure the products we use throughout the building are with sensitivity in mind. However, it is not possible to select products which meet the needs of everyone who uses the library.
– If you have any questions or concerns about the products used at the library please contact us at (508) 497-9777

The Libby App
– This app has audio and digital materials with a limited range of accessibility options; please contact the Reference/ Technology Staff if you need help with the app

Worcester Talking Book Library
– Aide in those with Reading/ Print Disabilities
– Contact Danielle Wolber for more information/ materials: dwolber@hopkintonma.gov

Main Floor
– New Playaways are available at the endcap of New Adult Fiction
– Large Print Materials are available in the first isle of Adult Fiction

Young Adult Room
– Hi-Lo Books
– Short, fast-paced reads with accessible language and YA content
– These are great for people with dyslexia, English learners, and reluctant readers. They have an orange dot on the top and are shelved in with the YA fiction.
– YA Playaways

Children’s
– Playaways and Wonder/ VoxBooks are available
– A range of reading levels are available in this space

Reference/ Lower Level
– Playaways and Books on CD are available