Assistive Technology and Services

Sarasota County Libraries partners with The Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) at the University of South Florida (USF) to establish “Autism Friendly” environments in our libraries, using best practices. 

This partnership provides staff training, technical support, and resources to make our libraries more welcoming, compassionate, and nonjudgmental.  We also have tools to help families and individuals prepare for and enjoy their visit to the library:

Visual Support

Explore "Our Visit to the Sarasota County Libraries", a social experience story to share about our libraries, including lighting, sound and different areas.

Distract Pak kits

The Distract Pak kits include noise reducing headphones, fidget tools, and other sensory items. 

• Available at all branches.
• Intended for use by individuals with ASD or sensory processing differences to borrow during a library visit. Please return to staff before leaving the library.

Books by Mail is a service that provides library materials through the mail to people who are unable to access the library collection due to temporary or long-term physical or visual disability.

Available materials include large print, regular print, DVDs, CDs and new items.

Review the Books by Mail brochure (opens in PDF). View our FAQ about Low Vision equipment.

To get started or to find out more, please contact us for assistance through Ask Us! through our online submission form or call us at 941-861-1110.

Sarasota County residents are served by the Pinellas Talking Book Library, a free service administered through the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative. We can facilitate this process. Please contact our AskUs service for assistance through Ask Us! online submission form or call us at 941-861-1110.

Through the Pinellas Talking Book Library, residents of all ages who are unable to read standard print material due to visual, physical or learning disabilities are provided recorded, Braille and large-print books and magazines as well as a collection of descriptive videos and playaways. 

More information on the Pinellas Talking Book Library and how to access its services, or call 727-441-9958.

• Pinellas Talking Book Library is part of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), a network of libraries serving people who have difficulty using or reading regular print. 
• More information on the NLS. 

Sarasota County Libraries are improving access to library resources for living with vision loss.

See what is available at your local library.

• Onyx OCR CCTV Scan/Read Device
  • This device magnifies and reads out loud any document in multiple languages. Simply place the document under the fixed OCR camera on the left and activate the speech function. It includes two separate cameras – one for transforming text to speech output and one for magnifying documents and observing the room.
  • Available at all locations, except for the Osprey Public Library at Historic Spanish Point
• Ruby 7 HD Portable Video Magnifier
  • The 7-inch screen can display more text and magnifies materials up to 24 times. The built-in tilt stand can be used to read books, magazines, and mail. 
  • Available at all 10 library locations.
• ClearReader+ Portable Scan/Read Device
  • This device, which is lightweight and convenient to move around the library, transforms text to speech with multiple language capabilities. Its buttons are easy to operate and have distinctive shapes.
  • Available at all 10 library locations.
• Focus 40 Blue Refreshable Braille Display Generation V
  • This tool can be used with the libraries’ low vision computer stations (equipped with screen reading and magnification software) or paired via Bluetooth to a patron’s personal device.
  • Only available at the Selby, North Port and William H. Jervey, Jr. Venice Libraries.

View our FAQ about Low Vision equipment.

VIDEO: Sarasota County Libraries' Assistive Technology Equipment

Hearing Loop

Some library spaces are equipped with Hearing Loop technology to support clear sound for hearing aid and cochlear implant users.

Look for Hearing Loop signage at the main service desk and in meeting rooms.

ListenEverywhere app

Some libraries offer an alternative through the ListenEverywhere service, where a patron can connect to it via their phone.

Available at Selby Library and Elsie Quirk Library. Ask at the main service desk for steps to connect.