You might think as a librarian reading was something that came easy to me, but in fact I struggled with reading early on. The letters d, p, and b were pretty much interchangeable to me and it often felt like words would rearrange themselves out of order on the page. I was lucky to have a great first grade teacher that helped me get diagnosed with mild Dyslexia and with a lot of hard work and help from teacher’s and my parents I was able to adapt and not only learn to read but excel and love doing it. I hope these resources will be of help, if you, yourself, or a loved one is struggling with Dyslexia.
HelpNow is a good resource to get homework and skill building help for all children and adults.
As part of Brainfuse’s Skillsurfer they have an article for parents about how to potentially identify what might be a learning disability: https://www.brainfuse.com/jsp/skillSurfer/LessonDetailPlace/2183/294/8830/77186
Universal Class has a course on Building Children’s Reading Skills which includes a lesson to “identify, define, and describe what may be indications a student requires additional interventions with his or her reading development”.
Both Hoopla and Overdrive/Libby for eBCCLS and eLibraryNJ have options to read with a Dyslexic friendly font which include things like having bolder bottoms which help prevent letters from being turned upside down so they make reading books easier for people with dyslexia; I wish this was around when I was younger. Another of our librarian’s, Steph Diorio, had done a blog post about some of the features Libby added recently to make it more accessible.
Through eBCCLS or eLibraryNJ’s magazine collection, patrons can access Dystinct Magazine which describes itself as “the ultimate resource of inspiration and expertise for families and educators of children with learning difficulties.”
PressReader another magazine/newspaper service available to our Hoboken residents offers a built-in Text-to-Speech feature that allows you to listen to any of their articles! You can learn more about other PressReader accessibility features here.
We have several print books in our collection on the topic of Dyslexia and other Learning disabilities:
For Adults:
Dyslexia advocate! : how to advocate for a child with dyslexia within the public education system
by Kelli Sandman-Hurley.
371.91 SAN
Language at the speed of sight : how we read, why so many can’t, and what can be done about it
by Mark Seidenberg.
428.4071 SEI
Overcoming dyslexia : a new and complete science-based program for reading problems at any level
by Sally Shaywitz.
371.91 SHA
Learning outside the lines : two Ivy League students with learning disabilities and ADHD give you the tools for academic success and educational revolution
by Jonathan Mooney
371.9 MOO
The complete learning disabilities resource guide.
REF 371.9 COM 2019
For Children:
Dyslexia
by Ann O. Squire.
TRUE-BK J 616.85 SQU
How I learn : a kid’s guide to learning disability
by Brenda S. Miles, PhD and Colleen A. Patterson
J 618.92 MIL
Beyond these, another great service, we help connect patrons with is materials from The New Jersey State Library Talking Book & Braille Center (TBBC). Founded in 1967, TBBC is a library that provides no-cost, home-delivered services, on behalf of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled to children, teens and adults in New Jersey who have difficulty reading standard print or trouble holding a book. For more information about signing up for the service, you can email reference@hoboken.bccls.org We have demo versions of their audiobook players at the information/reference desk at the main branch and at the Grand Street Branch, if you are interested in seeing what the service is like.
Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager
Hoboken Library Staff Picks 