Library & Cultural Arts Department Resources
Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance
For ADA compliance inquiries:
Sarah Reiswig
Risk Manager and ADA/504 Coordinator
1635 Faraday Ave.
Carlsbad, CA 92008
442-339-2435 office (Voice) 711 (free relay for TTY users)
760-602-1119 fax
Email: Risk Management Dept@CarlsbadCA.gov
Materials in Multiple Formats
Carlsbad City Library provides materials in a variety of formats and languages to serve individual needs, including:
- Audiobooks: books on CD and playaways
- Braille
- Closed captioned and subtitled DVDs
- Digital collections
- International language materials
- Large print books
- Tactile materials
Searching for Accessible Materials
Staff can help you can find materials related to accessibility and related subjects in the Carlsbad City Library catalog. Example search terms:
- Audiobooks
- Disability and neurodiversity materials
- Large print
- Video recordings for people with visual disabilities
- Video recordings for the hearing impaired
Accessible/Adaptive Technology
Carlsbad City Library offers adaptive technology and accessibility devices to provide equitable access to print and online resources and public programs.
- Accessibility devices for use inside the library are available at Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane and the Library Learning Center. Items available include:
- Handheld magnifying glasses
- Headphones (noise cancelling headphones available in the Exploration HUB at Dove Library)
- Page magnifiers for reading books and larger documents
- Reading glasses
- Screen magnifier tools on public computers at all three locations
- JAWS screen reader available at select public computers at all three locations
- Dove Library Adult Computers #12 and #22
- Cole Library Adult Computer #13
- Cole Library Genealogy Computer # 6
- Library Learning Center Computer 'Allende'
- Shortcut to adaptable mouse settings on public computers at all three locations
- Assisted listening available at Georgina Cole Library and Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane:
- Community Room, Cole Library
- Exploration HUB, Dove Library
- Gowland Meeting Room, Dove Library
- Schulman Auditorium, Dove Library
- Low-vision reader to magnify and project books & documents onto a large screen
- Cole Library - 2nd floor mezzanine (Genealogy & Carlsbad History)
- Dove Library - 1st floor near west patio
Building Accessibility
Each of Carlsbad City Library's three buildings feature accessible parking, ramp access, automatic doors, accessible restrooms, and elevators for second floor access. Please check in with a library staff member for assistance if needed.
All three Carlsbad library locations are providing contactless call-in curbside service. Community members with library items ready to pick up will be contacted by the library with instructions.
Curbside service hours: Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., and Friday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
To reserve a book or other library material, use the online catalog or call the library at 442-339-2096. Para ayuda en español llame 442-339-5500.
Follow these steps:
- Place an item on hold in the library's online catalog, and you will be notified when your hold is available.
- You may pick up materials during the library's drive-up service time.
- Upon arrival, please follow directional signage to designated curbside parking.
- Call staff at the curbside phone number provided with your library card ready.
- Staff will bring library items to your vehicle.
- Once staff has moved out of the way of your vehicle, you are free to leave.
The Library Homebound Program ensures that homebound individuals have access to a wide range of library materials which are delivered directly to their residences by trained volunteers. This free service is open to City of Carlsbad residents who meet one or more of the following requirements:
- Are prevented by medical reasons from visiting the library
- Are in a high-risk category for COVID-19 per the CDC guidelines
- Have a permanent or temporary physical or mental disability
- Are a caregiver for adults or children with physical or mental disabilities
- Have relinquished their driver’s license due to age
- Other individuals on case-by-case basis
Books, audiobooks, CDs and movies are selected based on the patron's preferences and requests.
To sign up for this service, call Homebound Supervisor Susan Burke at 442-339-2914.
Schulman Auditorium at Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane
- Capacity for five wheelchair spaces with companion seat
- Inductive loop hearing assist; headphone with belt pack available
- Wednesday 4 p.m. films feature closed captioning
- Friday films feature subtitles and closed captioning
- ADA lift for stage access
Service Animals
Library & Cultural Arts does not allow animals into library buildings with the following exceptions:
- Service animals trained to assist persons with disabilities recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Service animals in training accompanied by the trainer
- Animals that are part of library-approved programs
Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as any dog or miniature horse that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not considered service animals under the ADA. The work or task a service animal has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability.
The Carlsbad City Library website uses the Web Accessibility Guidelines developed by the City of Carlsbad in order to ensure a positive user experience and easier accessibility.
