Special Services
Extended Services for Patrons with Disabilities Patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing and those with speech impairments may call the Reference Service TTY at 834-7446 with questions about library holdings, library services, or with reference questions.

Patrons may also use the California Relay Service (1-800-735-2929 TTY and 1-800-735-2922 Voice) to call any reference department.

There is a Public Pay TTY in the Main Library's lobby, on the first floor.

Captioned Videos are labeled on the spine. Most videos bought now are captioned.

A phonic ear listening assistive system is available for use at library-sponsored programs, with 5 working days advance notice. This is for the hearing-impaired.

Bookmobile
The Bookmobile serves approximately 60 stops throughout the City of Oakland. Service focuses on four main areas: neighborhood "street" stops including Emeryville and Piedmont, preschools and childcare centers, senior services such as retirement facilities, and rehab centers. We are books on wheels! We serve geographically inaccessible areas, reaching institutionalized community members who cannot get to the library. As we drive around town, we are also a visual reminder to Oakland residents, encouraging them to use the Main Library and its surrounding branches. The Bookmobile also appears at special events occurring throughout the year, such as the Fine Arts Festival and the Annual Black Cowboys Parade and Festival.

Lawyers in the Library
Lawyers in the library offers free legal advice for Oakland residents. The program is co-sponsored by the Alameda County Bar Association, the Legal Aid Society of Alameda County, and the Asian American Bar Association. If further legal help is required, clients are referred to the Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service.

Welcome to Second Start, the Oakland Public Library’s Adult Literacy program! Second Start offers a confidential setting in which adults who cannot read and write at a fifth grade levels are able to get a free "second start" at learning. Since 1984, Second Start has been successfully matching volunteer tutors and adult students. In that time, tutors have worked with over 2,000 adults, helping them with the basic skills they need to improve the quality of their lives.

Because of its excellence, Second Start was chosen as one of five model adult literacy programs in the U.S. to be included in a long-term Harvard University study funded by the Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Fund. Results of this study will be available at the end of the grant period in late 2002.

Seasonal Tax Help for seniors (February - April)
Receive Free Tax Assistance at the Oakland Public Library. The Main Library, plus six of our branches will be offering free tax assistance to interested patrons from February 1, 2002 to April 15, 2002. This service is co-sponsored by The American Association of Retired Persons. Be sure to bring copies of your last year's Federal and State Tax Returns and all materials pertaining to your 2001 Tax Forms. Seniors, age 60+, will be served first. Others will be taken if there is time. Please call ahead to confirm time.