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The Access Services Center encompasses the following collections and locations:
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Friends for Life:
Homebound patrons enjoy this collection of more than 1,000 English language or
subtitled feature film and documentary videos in DVD and VHS formats. Selections
include classic and current blockbusters, award-winners and notable, informative or
entertaining films. Originally developed for San Franciscans with disabling AIDS or
HIV who could not visit the Library, the Friends for Life collection now provides
pleasure to those served by the Library on Wheels and to San Francisco residents
whose long-term or permanent disabilities confine them to their homes. New
selections reflect the varied interests of these viewers: animated and live-action
films, documentaries, travel narratives, inspirational and health information,
stage and film musicals and other live performances. The collection
is weeded continuously based on use.
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Large Print: This collection serves readers with vision impairments as well
as those who are learning English as a Second Language, adult new readers and people
with reading and learning disabilities. The collection is comprised of books printed
in a 16- or 18-point modified-serif font. Publishers once printed a very limited
selection in this format. More recently the choices and appearance of large print
books have greatly improved. Although many published works are still not available in
large print, a wide variety of fiction and nonfiction works are now produced. Readers
of large print books have interests as varied as the interests of the population in
general. The collection aims to satisfy those interests through bestselling fiction
(with an emphasis on mysteries, romance, science fiction and westerns) and nonfiction
(with an emphasis on biographies, health, politics, history, cooking, travel,
inspirational and motivational information). The collection is weeded continuously
based on use.
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Library on Wheels: The Library on Wheels (LOW) is a mobile library that visits
seniors in adult day centers, retirement communities and rehabilitation facilities in
San Francisco, bringing materials in multiple languages and formats to meet the diverse
interests and needs of those who tend to read, view and listen for pleasure. Languages
(English, Spanish, Russian and Chinese) and cultures (including the African American
community) in the collection reflect the demographics of LOW's users. Books and
magazines are offered in large and regular-sized print; audiobooks, music CDs, music &
videos in DVD and VHS formats are offered as well. Items from other Main Library
collections (primarily Friends for Life and Large Print) supplement and add variety to
the LOW collection. Users most enjoy best sellers, mysteries, romances, biographies,
history books, and books on fitness and senior health; budding artists, activity
directors at senior facilities and patrons with developmental disabilities make heavy
use of the art books. The collection is weeded continuously based
on use.
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Project Read: This collection is designed to support the volunteer tutors and
adult learners of the San Francisco Public Library, although those who are not enrolled
with Project Read but wish to improve their own or others' basic literacy skills may also
find this collection useful. The collection includes instructional resources and
workbooks to aid in the teaching of basic reading and writing skills. Recreational
reading materials of interest to adults, but written at a lower reading level for adult
new readers, are also offered. Materials – including new editions of instructional
materials – are selected to meet the needs of tutors and learners. The
collection is weeded continuously based on use.
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Educational Theory: Learning theory, learning styles and multi-sensory
instruction for use by teachers and tutors working with adult learners.
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GED Test Preparation: For individuals taking the test for the high-school
equivalency General Education Diploma.
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Instructional Resources: Basic reading, writing, grammar and
comprehension skills for use by teachers and tutors working with English-speaking
adults.
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Recreational Reading Materials: Fiction, literature, social sciences,
mathematics, sports, medicine and government, and other subjects of interest to
adult learners written at appropriate levels.
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Resource Collection for Learning Differences: This collection provides materials
about learning differences, dyslexia and attention deficit disorder for users of all ages
with learning differences, their parents, families and friends, as well as professionals
and educators. Included are books about learning differences for children and teens;
Spanish language materials; and materials in audio and video formats. Materials range from
introductory overviews to specialized books and reference works, along with journals and
newsletters from organizations and associations with an interest in learning differences.
(Materials on cognitive disorders such as autism and aphasia are not included in this
collection but are found in General Collections.) The
collection is weeded based on significance of title, usage and
maintaining existing collection strengths.
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Education: Special education, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), mainstream
teaching, home schooling, tutoring, multiple intelligences and learning styles, classroom
management, teaching strategies, learning strategies, inclusion, finding the right school,
phonics, speech and language.
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Learning Differences: Learning disabilities, auditory processing, dyslexia and
reading problems, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, auditory and visual processing, sensory
integration, nonverbal learning disabilities, social cognition, attention deficit disorder,
gifted students and speech and language disorders.
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Parenting, Discipline, Behavior and Self-Esteem: Homework strategies, organization
strategies, advocacy, nurturing resilience, motivation and fostering self-esteem, behavior
problems, discipline solutions and anger management.
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