Library Services for People with Disabilities or Other Needs

Books and Spoken Word Items (Audiobooks)

Large print books can be borrowed from every library. Our collection includes fiction, non-fiction and children's titles.

Some of our libraries hold a collection of spoken word items (Audiobooks). The majority of the titles are on cassette tapes, but does also contain titles on CD. Where a library does not hold a collection of spoken word stock, titles may be requested. You will be notified when these items are available for collection.

Spoken word items may be borrowed free of charge to persons who are registered blind or partially sighted or who are dyslexic.

Library Online allows users to browse through a list of our collections of Large Print and Spoken Word stock. If you are a registered member of the library, you may request items online.

Books in other languages and language courses on cassette tape or CD can be requested from any of our libraries.

Housebound Users

Readers at Home - discover services available for housebound users.

If You Have a Hearing Impairment

Many of our libraries have an induction loop fitted at the issue desk. It is our intention to extend this facility to all libraries in the future.

Magnification Screens

Every library has a BierleyBig Reader monitor screen installed on the premises. This is an easy to use piece of equipment which enables users to magnify text/images to a readable size - books, newspapers, maps, letters, photographs etc. can all be used with this unit.

ICT Services

All our libraries have computer facilities offering free Internet access. Please see our Public access Internet guidance notes.

There are a range of facilities and software packages installed on some of our PCs to allow greater accessibility for users with special needs. These include:

• One adjustable height workstation in most libraries
• Touchscreen monitor in most libraries
• Big Key key board
• Trackerball mouse
• Supernova software which enables on screen text to be magnified
• Cicero Text Reader software which allows a document to be scanned and translated into speech