Literacy Volunteers

Literacy Volunteers of Western Cook County is a not-for-profit agency that provides free tutoring services and literacy programs to adults in western Chicago and suburban Cook County through its network of trained volunteers. LVWCC frequently use the Forest Park Public Library for tutoring sessions. We have a few quiet rooms available for this purpose. For more information, call Diane Collins at 708-366-7171, ext. 112.

Homebound Delivery

For homebound patrons who cannot physically make it to the library, staff and/or volunteers will deliver and retrieve books on an as-needed basis. For more information, call Diane Collins at 708-366-7171, ext. 112.

Adult New Reader Collection

The library has a special collection of easy-to-read materials for adults who are seeking to improve their basic reading and writing skills. The collection called Adult New Reader has both fiction and non-fiction books on diverse topics written for adults learning to read and ESL students. The books are shelved before the 000s in the Nonfiction section.

Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired

The Forest Park Library offers many services for the blind and visually impaired. If you are, or know someone who is, blind or visually impaired, ask a Reference Librarian about the following:

• Readers to the Blind: The library has a list of volunteers that will read to the visually impaired and assist them with homework, etc. Contact us if you need a reader or would like to volunteer.
• Brailler for in-library use
• Our Kurtzweil Reading Machine will scan printed text and read it aloud
• Telesensory (CCTV enlarger) machines for in-library use and available for check-out
• Audiobooks: Get a National Library Service for the Blind & Physically Handicapped form at the library and begin getting audiobooks delivered to your home, or choose from our wide selection of commercial audiobooks on cassette and CD.
• Large Print book collection
• Low vision computer: The library has a computer reserved for those with vision problems. TheZoomText software will magnify the computer screen up to 36x, change colors and contrast to suit your vision, and speak important text in a natural human voice. A large-print, high contrast keyboard with tactile feedback makes it easier to type.

Our local Talking Book Center, Voices of Vision, also provides mail-order services to persons unable to read standard print material due to a visual or physical disability. There is no cost to eligible readers. Formats and related services include:

• Books on talking book audio cassettes and in digital format, and the playback equipment needed to listen to them
• Recorded and braille books and magazines, for adults and children
• Catalogs and bibliographies (with order forms) listing materials available for loan
• Reader advisory service and assistance in selecting books

Described DVD Collection

The library now offers a selection of described DVDs, for patrons who have difficulty seeing their television screen. No special equipment is needed other than an ordinary DVD player.

• Professional narration explains film action by highlighting facial expressions, body language, scenery, etc. without interfering with dialogue
• Ask a librarian for details