Outreach Services
I CAN! Center - Services for Persons with Disabilities
Notice: The I CAN! Center will temporarily be unavailable while the Central Library moves from its current location at 820 E Street to its new address at 330 Park Boulevard. During this time, assistive technologies and services will remain available at the branch libraries indicated below. Please see the I CAN! Center Referral List (PDF) for additional resources in the San Diego area.
- Basic Services
- Locations of Equipment in Libraries
- Services Available at Central Library
- Branch Locations with Assistive Technologies, Listed by Device
- Assistive Services, Listed by Branch
- Allied Gardens/Benjamin
- City Heights/Weingart
- College-Rolando
- La Jolla/Riford
- Mission Valley
- Mountain View/Beckwourth
- North Park
- North University Community
- Otay Mesa-Nestor
- Pacific Beach/Taylor
- Point Loma/Hervey
- Rancho Bernardo
- Rancho Peñasquitos
- San Carlos
- Scripps Miramar Ranch
- Serra Mesa/Kearny Mesa
- Valencia Park/Malcolm X
Basic Services
The I CAN! Center offers the following:
Print/Tape Media Services
- Sizeable collection of large print books
- Talking Book Machine and Tape Service
- Catalogs for Talking Book tapes
- Large Print New York Times Magazine
- Large Print Reader’s Digest Magazine
- Magazines and newsletters from various disability organizations for browsing (PDF)
TTY/TDD Reference Services
- Homebound delivery of books (for those who are eligible)
- Reference Services
- Braille and Braille/print books for children
Assistive Technology
- CCTV (Print Magnifier)
- Low Vision Assistance Computer
- Developmental Disabilities Assistance Computer
- Mobility Impairment Assistance Computer
- Learning Disabilities Assistance Programs
- Kurzweil Print Reader, Free-standing
Locations of Equipment in Libraries
All locations of the San Diego Public Library offer:
- Homebound delivery of material (when available for those who are eligible)
- Sign language interpretation for library programs (with five-day notification)
- Audio books
- Large print books
- Resource directories
- Information and referral assistance
- Assistance with Library Catalog
- Assistance with copying machines
- Books about disabilities
- Materials on sign language instruction
Services Available at Central Library
- Descriptive videos (can be sent to any branch)
- Assistive listening devices
- Amplified public telephones
- Closed-captioned movies (call 619-236-5800 for the schedule)
- Magazines and newsletters from various disability organizations for browsing (PDF)
Branch Locations with Assistive Technologies, Listed by Device
TDD/TTY
- Central Library I CAN! Center
- City Heights/Weingart
- College-Rolando
- La Jolla/Riford
- Mission Valley
- Mira Mesa
- North Park
- North Universtiy Community
- Point Loma/Hervey
- Serra Mesa/Kearny Mesa
- Valencia Park/Malcolm X
CCTV
CCTVs magnify print or pictures 4 to 60 times the normal size (for viewing, not a printer).
- Central Library I CAN! Center (3)
- College-Rolando
- La Jolla/Riford
- Mission Valley
- North Universtiy Community
- Otay Mesa-Nestor
- Pacific Beach/Taylor
- Point Loma/Hervey
- Rancho Bernardo
- Serra Mesa/Kearny Mesa
- Valencia Park/Malcolm X
Low Vision Assistance Computer
These computers have ZoomText Level 2 print magnifier/screen reader, Open Book print reader, JAWS screen reader, large screen, large print keyboard, touchpad, and Microsoft Word, Excel, and Internet access.
- Central Library I CAN! Center (2)
- College-Rolando
- La Jolla/Riford
- Mission Valley
- North Universtiy Community
- Otay Mesa-Nestor
- Pacific Beach/Taylor
- Point Loma/Hervey
- Rancho Bernardo
- Serra Mesa/Kearny Mesa
Developmental Disabilities Assistance Computer
These computers have a large variety of programs to teach basic literacy and life skills, including WYN Reader and Boardmaker Pro, as well as electrically adjustable tables. Appointments must be made for use one day in advance, and the user or teacher must have basic training. Call the I CAN! Center at 619-236-5815 for training information.
- Central Library I CAN! Center
- Mira Mesa
- Mission Valley
- Mountain View/Beckwourth
- North Park
- Pacific Beach/Taylor
- Serra Mesa/Kearny Mesa
- Valencia Park/Malcolm X
Mobility Impairment Assistance Computer
The Central Library and all branch libraries have ADA height computer tables. In addition, the following branches have electrically adjustable tables.
- Central Library I CAN! Center
- Mira Mesa
- Mission Valley
- Mountain View/Beckwourth
- North Park
- North University Community
- Otay Mesa-Nestor
- Serra Mesa/Kearny Mesa
- Valencia Park/Malcolm X
The I CAN! Center also has the following mobility enhancement equipment available:
- Adjustable keyboard trays
- Adjustable chairs
- Tracker 2000
- Maxim split keyboard and keypad
- Large print keyboard
- Big Keys keyboard
- Micro Mini keyboard
- Penny & Giles Roller Plus joystick
- Smart Cat touchpad
- Expert pro trackball
- SofType (on-screen keyboard software)
- Dragon Naturally Speaking (voice activated software)
Learning Disabilities Assistance Programs
Kurzweil 3000 and Read and Write Gold
- Central Library I CAN! Center
Arkenstone or Kurzweil Print Reader
Reads printed material out loud.
- Central Library I CAN! Center
Talking Book Machines and Talking Book Tapes
Locations with machines generally on hand and may have a small browsing collection of tapes. Call the branch to verify a machine is in stock. For service at other branches, call the I CAN! Center at 619-236-5815.
- Allied Gardens/Benjamin
- City Heights/Weingart
- La Jolla/Riford
- North Park
- Point Loma/Hervey
- Rancho Bernardo
- Scripps Miramar Ranch
Assistive Services, Listed by Branch
Allied Gardens/Benjamin
5188 Zion Ave.
619-533-3970
- Talking Book Machine Service
City Heights/Weingart
3795 Fairmount Ave.
619-641-6100
- TDD/TTY reference service
- Talking Book Machine Service
College-Rolando
6600 Montezuma Road
619-533-3902
619-644-1321 - TDD/TTY
- CCTV
- Low vision assistance computer
La Jolla/Riford
7555 Draper Ave.
858-522-1657
858-551-1291- TDD/TTY
- CCTV
- Low vision assistance computer
- Talking Book machine service
Mira Mesa
8405 New Salem St.
858-538-8165
- Developmental Disabilities Assistance Computer
- Mobility Impairment Assistance Computer
- TDD/TTY reference service
Mission Valley
2123 Fenton Parkway
858-573-5007
- 619-282-0064 - TDD/TTY
- CCTV
- Low Vision Assistance Computer
- Mobility Impairment Assistance Computer
- Developmental Disabilities Assistance Computer
Mountain View/Beckwourth
721 San Pasqual St.
619-527-3404
- Developmental Disabilities Assistance Computer
North Park
3795 31st St.
619-533-3972
- Developmental Disabilities Assistance Computer
- Mobility Impairment Assistance Computer
- Talking Book Machine Service
- TDD/TTY reference service
North University Community
8820 Judicial Drive
858-581-9637
- CCTV
- Low vision assistance computer
- Mobility Impairment Assistance Computer
- TDD/TTY reference service
Otay Mesa-Nestor
3003 Coronado Ave.
619-424-0474
- CCTV
- Low vision assistance computer
- Mobility Impairment Assistance Computer
Pacific Beach/Taylor
4275 Cass St.
858-581-9934
- CCTV
- Low Vision Assistance Computer
Point Loma/Hervey
3701 Voltaire St.
619-531-1539
- CCTV
- Low Vision Assistance Computer
- Talking Book Machine Service
- TDD/TTY reference service
Rancho Bernardo
17110 Bernardo Center Drive
858-538-8163
- CCTV
- Low Vision Assistance Computer
- Talking Book Machine Service
Rancho Peñasquitos
13330 Salmon River Road
858-538-8159
- Talking Book Machine Service
Scripps Miramar Ranch
10301 Scripps Lake Drive
858-538-8158
- Talking Book Machine Service
Serra Mesa/Kearny Mesa
9005 Aero Drive
858-573-1396
- CCTV
- Low Vision Assistance Computer
- Mobility Impairment Assistance Center
- Developmental Disability Assistance Center (coming soon)
- TDD/TTY reference service
Valencia Park/Malcolm X
5148 Market St.
619-527-3405
- CCTV
- Developmental Disability Assistance Center
- Mobility Impairment Assistance Center
- TDD/TTY reference service