Library

Support for Families maintains an extensive resource library for families and professionals comprised of multi-lingual books, periodicals, reference materials and media related to children with disabilities and special health care needs. The library is open to the families and professionals with free borrowing privileges. A Toy Lending collection offers loans of toys to families of children with special needs.

In 1995, Joan Cassel purchased a dozen books from Hod Gray with the Special Needs Project, which marks the beginning of our library. Our toy collection is dedicated to the memory of Terri Brown, of San Lorenzo, CA. Terri started a toy library for Joshua, her grandson, who was ill and opened it in her garage for neighboring children and children with special needs. After her death, her toy library was donated to Support for Families.

Frequently asked questions

• Who can use the library? How long can I check out items? Where do I return items?
  Answers can be found in the Library check-out pamphlet (English, Spanish, Chinese) (pdf files)

Materials

What can I borrow?

• Our Library contains over 3800 books and audio-visual materials. This includes:
  • Over 200 toys providing opportunities for children with disabilities to experiment with a variety of developmentally appropriate toys.
  • Spanish and Chinese language collections
  • Young Adult collection
  • National, state, and local disability related Newsletters
  • Magazines and Catalogs relating to various disabilities
  • Pamphlets from federal, state, and local agencies providing services to families.

Services

How do I find what I want?

• Search the online Library Catalog of our books, pamphlets and audiovisual materials - Need help with searching? - What are the Categories?
• Request assistance by telephone, email, fax and in-person (M-Th 9:30-2:30pm)
• Browse and self check-out/check-in library materials
• Join Support for Families Email List for up-to-date information about children and youth with disabilities.
• Get referrals to public, non-profit, or special disability libraries in the San Francisco bay area

Facilities:

• One public access Internet computer with Microsoft Office software
• Newspaper and magazine reading areas
• Free printing and photocopying
• User-friendly browseable book stacks
• We are open to families and professionals: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 930-430pm. Evening hours on Tuesday & Thursday, 12:30pm-8:30pm.

Collaboration

• Member of Bay Area Disability Services Librarians (BADSL)
• One of 4 Northern California Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs)
• Network member of Family Resource Center Network of CA (FRCNCA)
• Council member of Family Voices of CA (CAFV)
• Member of Child Care Inclusion Project (CCICP)