Accessibility

Parking: The library has 1 Handicapped space.

Entrances – The library has wheelchair-accessible automatic doors at both the front and back entrances.

Elevator – The library has a modern elevator available for public use, allowing patrons to easily access any programs held in the basement or upper floors.

Restrooms – The public restrooms are wheelchair accessible.

Service Animals – In compliance with the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJ-LAD) and the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), service animals are welcome in all areas of the Library where members of the public are normally allowed to go.

Merlin Ultra®
This full-color, auto-focus video magnifier can be used by those with low vision to read, write, view photos and more – in color, black and white or enhanced high-contrast positive or negative viewing modes. Those who wish to use it should check with staff at the front desk for assistance.

Hearing Loops
In 2023, the library installed hearing loops in the Community Room and portable hearing loop kits at both service desks. Hearing loops are the most popular assistive listening system; they send sound directly to telecoil receivers (T-coils) inside cochlear implants and most hearing aids, reducing background noise and feedback.

How to use the Hearing Loops:

• If you have cochlear implants or hearing aids with T-coils, select the “T” setting on your device.
• If you do not have hearing aids or cochlear implants but you’re experiencing hearing loss, the library can provide you with a T-coil receiver/headphone kit to use at the library. Just ask library staff!

We are continually working to update both our online and physical library materials in order to make it easier for individuals with visual impairments to access information.

Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) – The library has partnered with the New Jersey State Library Talking Book & Braille Center (TBBC), which serves New Jersey residents of all ages (children, teens and adults) who cannot read standard print or cannot hold a book or turn the pages of a book because of a physical impairment, a reading disability, or a visual impairment. TBBC provides books in Braille and audio formats. Once registered for the program with TBBC, patrons will benefit from these no-cost, home-delivered services:

• Accessible audiobook player
• Audiobooks and audio magazines
• Braille books
• Downloadable audiobooks, audio magazines and Braille files for Braille readers
• BARD Mobile App for mobile devices
• News reading service

The library has full access to the Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) service and can download books and magazines for patrons to use with either the BARD Mobile App or the digital audiobook player provided by TBBC.

The BARD downloading process can be complicated, but the library is here to help! To receive assistance applying for BARD service or downloading materials from BARD, please call Metuchen Public Library or email Justine Johnson at jjohnson@metuchenlibrary.org to make an appointment.

Large Print Book Collection – For those who have difficulty reading standard sized print books, the library maintains and updates a collection of large print books, both fiction and non-fiction. In addition, because the library is part of the STELLA, you may request copies of other books (standard and large print) delivered to the Metuchen Library at no cost.

Audiobook Collection – The library also has a collection of audiobooks which it lends out to cardholders. Where possible, the librarian in charge of the collection tries to make sure that some of the more popular titles are available in audiobook format.

Electronic Resources – The library offers downloadable book, audiobooks, magazines, music, movies and television series through ElibraryNJ, Hoopla and Kanopy. Anyone with a library card can make use of these services free of charge, allowing patrons access to a variety of information and entertainment without having to leave home. Library staff members are trained on how to set up new accounts and download material and are available during library hours to assist patrons who are new to these resources or who need a refresher on how to use them. View our Electronic Resources.

Wireless Printing – The library offers wireless printing services, allowing people who prefer to work from home or another outside location the ability to send material to the library for printing.  The material can then be picked up at any time during the library’s open hours. Learn more about wireless printing.

We value inclusion and access for all participants and are pleased to provide reasonable accommodations for all events and activities.

If you need specific accommodations, such as sign language interpretation, for any of our events or activities, whether on-site or online, please get in touch with us at (732) 632-8526 or email metuchenpubliclibrary@metuchenlibrary.org.

The Metuchen Public Library supports and is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity. It is the library’s policy to recruit, hire, train and promote individuals, as well as administer all employment practices without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, national or ancestral origin, marital status, veteran’s status, physical or mental disability (unrelated in nature and extent to an individual’s ability to perform the job with reasonable accommodation), in accordance with applicable laws.