Requests for Accommodation

Library staff can provide accommodation in the following ways:

Retrieving Material

• Staff are available to pull material from both the general (circulating) collection, or any of our special (non-circulating) collections (reference, law, etc.) if you require assistance.

Extending a Loan Period

• An extended loan period may be requested for some material subject to the material’s availability.

Assistance with Scanning

• Staff will assist you with your scanning needs. You can supply your own flash drive, or borrow one from our front desk with your student card.

How do I Request the Library’s Accessible Services?

For Immediate Requests

Ask at the Library Front Desk for immediate requests such as the following:

• Retrieving items from the shelf when you are in the Library.

• Extending the loan period of an item if it is not in high demand.

• Assisting with a limited amount of photocopying.

Note you may also place a hold on an item 24 hours in advance and then the item will be at the Front Desk. 

For More Complex Requests

Send an email for more complex requests, such as the following:

• Retrieving a large number of items to be ready for you. (Please include the titles and Call numbers of the items required.)

• Requesting an extended loan period for your material.

• Obtaining assistance with a large amount of photocopying.

Send an email to:

• Woodroffe: library@algonquincollege.com

• Perth: illpert@algonquincollege.com

• Pembroke: illpemb@algonquincollege.com

To Request a Library Book in an Accessible Format via the Accessible Content E-Portal (ACE) 

The Accessible Content E-Portal (ACE) is a platform that provides access to a collection of books that have been digitized and made available online in accessible formats for participating Ontario universities and colleges.  ACE has been developed through Scholars Portal, improving access to university and college libraries across Ontario. ACE is part of the Scholars Portal Books platform, and is one of several accessibility initiatives at Scholars Portal that is focused on advancing equality for library users with print disabilities.

Complete the Accessible Library Book Request Form to request a Library book in an accessible digital format. You must know the title of the book to make the request.

Materials in this repository are subject to Canadian copyright law and are made available for use to persons with disabilities listed under section 32 of the Canadian Copyright Act.

Available on Reserve for Use in the Library:

• MATIAS Half keyboard

• OPTELEC Compact mini pocket size video magnifier

• Maxwell Mac Link large print keyboard

• Sound cancelling headphones

• Spirit Book2net scanner (scan/enlarge and save to your own data key in OCR format)

Available Online for Use College-Wide:

• Epage Reader: Cut and paste your electronic text into the box below to create an audio file to listen to or download.

Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL):

https://www.algonquincollege.com/cal/

The Centre for Accessible Learning has a range of services and supports to ensure our students have equal access at Algonquin College.

Accessibility Resources:

https://www.algonquincollege.com/accessibility-resources/

At Algonquin College, accessibility is fundamental to our core values of caring, learning, integrity and respect. On this website you will find:

• Updated service disruptions at the College that may impact a person with a disability.
• A feedback form to submit accessibility barriers that you encounter at the College.
• Resources to create a more accessible classroom.
• Accessibility plans and policies.

Other Accessibility Services

• Transcription and Alternative to Print Services: The Accessible Print-Based Service (APBS) 

  https://www.algonquincollege.com/cal/accessible-learning-services/accessible-print-based-services/

  APBS helps you acquire print-based course materials and textbooks in the format you need, such as accessible digital text (works with software to read aloud), large print, Braille, etc. If you need APBS, contact the CAL as early as possible, as this service takes time.

• Alternate format textbooks, accessible media for the classroom, and educational resources such as notes and test requests may be made through the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL).

• The Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA): https://celalibrary.ca/
  CELA is a public library service for people who cannot read print due to a disability. Of interest to our faculty would be the Educator Access Program which gives teachers and access to CELA’s full collection and services on behalf of their students who have difficulty reading print due to a print disability. CELA Educator Access includes a free organizational membership for your school to Bookshare, the world’s largest online library of accessible books.

• Accessibility Information for EBSCO Interfaces

• ProQuest and Accessibility

• Accessibility and Usability in Cengage Educational Materials

• Films on Demand (Streaming Video): Many of FODs videos support closed captioning. If it’s available for the specific title that you are viewing, you’ll see a “Turn CC On” button in the upper right hand of the video player. Click on this button to toggle captions on/off.