Assistive Services
Accessibility in Our Branches
See our individual branch pages for listings on accessibility and available equipment in the library buildings.
Talking Book Services
Anyone who is unable to read or use standard print materials due to temporary or permanent visual, physical or reading disability may be eligible for Talking Book Service. In addition, some of our videos have description for the visually-handicapped.
Read our newsletter, Sightlines, for book recommendations and news of specific interest to our Assistive Services patrons.
For the Deaf and Hearing-Impaired
Many videos feature the CC (closed captioning) option. If you need a sign language interpreter or cued speech transliterator for a program, please contact the library two weeks in advance so that arrangements can be made. Librarians may be contacted by chat service, text message, or email.
Getting to Our Branches
FREDericksburg Regional Transit buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts and safety securement equipment. FRED does not provide door-to-door Para transit service but does operate a route deviation system. Passengers can arrange for curb-side service by calling 540.372.1222 at least 24 hours in advance of the desired pick-up time. FRED will deviate off its regular route and schedule to make such pick-ups if they are not more than ¾ mile and two minutes off-route and if it is safe to do so. To get more information and confirm current routes and schedules, call them at 540-372-1222.
The Downtown Loop serves the Headquarters library on Caroline Street.
Route D2, Stafford County South, serves England Run library (Plantation Drive and Lyons Blvd).
Route D4, the North Stafford Shopping Loop, runs by Porter branch.
Route S1, Spotsylvania County, serves Salem Church branch.
Route S2, Spotsylvania County, serves the Snow branch (Marshall Center stop).
For Westmoreland County:
Colonial Beach's transit service (Town of Colonial Beach Transit and Trolley – CBTT) can be reached at 804-224-0175.
For Those Who Can't Come to the Library Building
Patrons who visit us through the Web can download audio and print books as well as articles from newspapers, magazines, and reference books. Included are online language instruction, grants and foundation directories, investment research, and a testing & educational reference center that has information on colleges, scholarships, and test prep e-books.
Our “Ask a Librarian” service is a virtual reference desk. Librarians can answer both research questions and questions about patrons’ accounts by text, chat, phone, and email.
Live Homework Help is available online for students in grades K-12 and college-intro classes.
Books-by-Mail
Home delivery by mail is available for people who cannot get to the library due to physical disabilities and have no other options for picking up or returning materials. Librarians choose materials based on your interests or requested titles and mail directly to your home. You may have the items for one month and are responsible for return postage to the library. Call the Assistive Services Department, 540-372-1144, x234, to register for this service.
Lobby Stops - Delivery to Institutions and Senior Centers
Staff selects materials for area nursing homes, jails and detention centers, medical units, and day care centers. Materials are delivered biweekly and include large print, paperbacks, picture books, audio tapes and magazines. Requests for materials by residents are accepted and delivered to the patron at the next delivery as available. Call 540-834-0623, x224, for more information on this special service.
Local Connections and Reaching Further
The state maintains a career center and human resources department for those with disabilities, along with other services through its DSA—the Disability Services Agencies--page.
Our local branch is The disAbility Resource Center, located at 409 Progress Street in Fredericksburg.
The Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging (RAAA) serves the needs of persons over 60 in our area. The agency provides information and referral, medical transportation services, mobility options, legal services, and much more.
SeniorNavigator
www.seniornavigator.org
SeniorNavigator is a 501c3 non-profit organization that provides free information about the health and aging resources available to Virginians. The information focuses on issues such as health, financial concerns, legal questions, health facilities, housing options, transportation, exercise programs, advocacy, and more.
The information is organized on this website, and allows you to search using your city/county or ZIP code. This search identifies those resources available in your community.
In addition to the website, SeniorNavigator is pleased to partner with our SeniorNavigator Centers throughout the state. CRRL branches are SeniorNavigator Centers providing free access and assistance with the website to our friends and neighbors without computers or internet access.
