Do you have a question about library services? Are you having a hard time reaching the right department? Please call the library switchboard at 212.930.0800 and they will direct your call.

Find out more about Community Outreach Services and our outreach programs, including: English Classes for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL), adult literacy, services to correctional facilities, older adults, persons without homes and persons with disabilities.

Adult Literacy

• Centers for Reading and Writing Small group instruction facilitated by volunteer tutors, and a high-interest collection of books and multimedia technology to encourage and enhance independent learning.
• Writer's Voices Online writing by students of the adult literacy program

Books by Mail

• Books by Mail For individuals who are unable to leave their home because of a temporary or permanent disability.
• Recorded and Braille Books by Mail Recorded and braille titles for residents of all ages who have difficulty reading standard printed materials because of blindness, visual impairment, a physical disability that limits their ability to hold a book or turn pages, or a reading disability resulting from organic dysfunction.

Children and Teens

• School Visits Find out how to bring your students to the library, or call to arrange for us to come to you! Call your local branch and ask for the Children's or Young Adult Librarian.
• homeworkNYC.org
• Teen Central A library just for teens with popular books, teen magazines, books in Spanish and Chinese, and help with college and career planning
• Central Children's Room Films, story hours, and guest appearances by authors and illustrators.
• Teachers' Collection Special collection of curriculum support materials at three branches
• TeenLink and On-Lion for Kids

Computers, with free instruction

• Personal computers in the branch libraries
• Click-on @ the Library Free classes in using computers at beginning and intermediate levels
• Computer Pages Local high school and college students are trained to help you use computers, software programs, and the Internet at your local Library
• Wireless access A list of all NYPL locations with free wireless access

ESOL Classes

• Free classes are held three times a year (Fall, Winter, and Spring) at beginner and intermediate levels

Citizenship

• Immigration / Immigrants New York City web links for immigration and citizenship.
• Citizenship Resources Useful library books, audio cassettes, audio CD's, video cassettes, DVD's, CD ROM's and Web resources to prepare for the citizenship exam.

Older Adults and Nursing Homes

• Library services including read aloud programs, book or short story discussions, deposit collections of books and bi-folkal kits (multisensory programming kits)
• Directory of Community Services Search for community agencies, churches, and government programs for seniors in New York City
• Best of the Web Librarian selected websites of interest to older adults

Persons with Disabilities

• Andrew Heiskell Braille & Talking Book Library a full-service library includes comfortable reading rooms, large circulating collections of special format materials, audio playback equipment for listening to recorded books and magazines, and a variety of other electronic reading aids
• Assistive Amplification Systems An infrared system which relays sound to hearing impaired attendees of library programs, such as lectures, book discussions, readings, and training programs
• Braille Writers
• Closed-Circuit Television Enlargers (CCTVs) A monitor that enlarges printed material 45-60 times
• Personal Reading Machines A device that scans printedtext and reads aloud in synthetic speech
• Screen Magnification Software This software makes Web browsers and other computer programs more accessible with a fully-integrated magnifier and screen reader
• TTY machines Borrow a TTY from the library for a three week loan

Persons without Homes

• Library services including deposit collections of books at local shelters, read aloud programs for children in shelters, "read-to-me" programs at Branch Libraries, and library orientation at shelters
• Directory of Community Services Search for advocacy groups, community agencies, churches, and government programs in New York City
• Best of the Web Librarian selected websites of interest to persons without homes

Pre-Release, Ex-Inmates & Correctional Facilities

• Library services and programming for incarcerated persons in New York City jails and State prisons, including book collections, job preparation and self-awareness programs, and parenting
• Connections and The Job Search a directory of resources in New York City which can be of help to ex-inmates when they are leaving institutions, and a guide on job hunting
• Connexiones una guía para ex-presidiarios a fuentes de información en la Ciudad de Nueva York
  

Research

• Ask Librarians Online E-mail and chat reference services available in English and Spanish
• NYPL Express for in-depth research, photocopies, document delivery

Teachers

• CLASP Educational Support Teams Teachers: find out how to bring your students to the library, or call to arrange for us to come to you!
• Teen Central A library just for teens with popular books, teen magazines, books in Spanish and Chinese, and help with college and career planning
• Central Children's Room Films, story hours, and guest appearances by authors and illustrators or visit the original Winnie-the-Pooh
• Teachers' Collection Special collection of curriculum support materials at three branches
• TeenLink and On-Lion for Kids