I am visually impaired -
What can you offer me?

Services to People with Disabilities FAQs

Libraries have a wide selection of materials for people with impaired vision.  These include fiction and non-fiction in large print and collections of spoken word on CD, which are available from all libraries, plus a wide range of online services which are suitable for visually impaired readers.
There are concessions on reservation charges and hire fees available - find out more about concessions here or talk to a member of staff about these.

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Library Services for Visually Impaired People

Large Print Books
We have a wide range of books in clear large print by popular authors - both fiction and non-fiction.  Some are available in paperback. Plus we circulate a number of special collections of large print books. You can search the online library catalogue for large print books, simply by selecting to search only 'Large Print' rather than 'All Stock'.
E-books are also available to download free from Libby - find out more about the e-books service here.

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Audiobooks
You can borrow audiobooks on CD from your local library. If you are registered blind or partially sighted you can borrow or request these free of charge by showing your registration card or social services card to the library staff.
Audiobooks are available to download for free on the Virtual Library; discover more about audiobooks from Libby and BorrowBox here.

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Newspapers Online
PressReader gives you access to over 7,000 national and international newspapers and magazines in a wide range of lanugauges to read online or download. The service offers the option to zoom in on the articles so you can read them or why not listen to them instead. Find out more about the online newspapers here.

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Music Services
Recorded music on CD is available in Bedford Borough libraries, they can be requested and can be borrowed free if you are entitled to concessions.
Plus download 5 tracks a week for free and stream for 5 hours a day using Freegal our online music service - learn more about downloading and streaming music here.

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Magazines
The online magazine service from Libby offers over 50 magazines that can be downloaded and then magnified, plus there is a text to speech option.
Find out more about Libby Magazines here..

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Information
Libraries provide reference books and community information.  Enlarging facilities may be available in some libraries.  Staff are always there to help you or take telephone enquiries.
For useful web sites, visit WebLinks.  Local organisations can be found on the Local Information Database

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Information Technology
Enlarging facilities can be found on equipment and software with in the library.  We also have large mice and keyboards in all libraries, as well as access to additional accessibility options on all our public PCs.
Find out more about our IT services here.