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People's faces from all different ages and backgrounds

The Library for Visually Impaired People

In search of a new book to read…

Large print and talking books on CD are available at all libraries, you can search the catalogue online and reserve for collection at any Nottingham City or Inspire (Nottinghamshire) Library. Phone a library or fill in the online form for a Click and Collect selection chosen by our staff.

There are also giant print and Braille books for Children available in some libraries, see section below.

You can use your library membership to access free eBooks, eAudio, eNewspapers and eMagazines from home on your own device. Perfect for listening to a story and making the text size as large as you need!

Or use The Home Library Service which is free for people with restricted mobility and carers who cannot get into a library. Bringing books, including large print and talking books to your door, roughly every 3 weeks. Delivered by friendly regular staff or trained and experienced volunteers, who will chat with you about the books you like to read and reserve titles for you. Contact the Home Library Service

Headphones on books to represent audiobooks surrounded by happy people

The Listening Chain

An audio book reading group. Do you enjoy listening to books and would like to meet and talk to others about them? Then this group is for you!

Aimed at any adult who finds it difficult to read standard printed books, mainly due to visual impairment but also because of any other disability or factor.

Most of the group are members of the RNIB reading service, so any titles we choose will be available on their free talking books service. (RNIB may also have giant print or braille version available.)

The titles may also be available on the library’s free eAudio services (BorrowBox and ULibrary) or as CD audiobooks and large print books in library stock.

The group meets at the Nottingham Central Library on the second Wednesday of each month, 2pm to 3pm.

To join the group or find out more contact us: Phone on 0115 915 2828

Email central.library@nottinghamcity.gov.uk or visit in person at Nottingham Central Library

Large Print and Braille for Children and Young People

We stock a range of children’s books in dual format giant print and Braille, as well as giant print books for young people.

These are available at Hyson Green, Meadows and Nottingham Central libraries or request for collection from your nearest library.

View and request Braille titles View and request Giant Print titles

Desk top text magnifier being used by visually impaired person

Resources at other libraries to help you keep reading.

Desktop Electronic Magnifier. Magnify your documents, books, letters, any printed text or images, with the i-See Desktop electronic magnifier.

Available at Hyson Green Library

Need help setting up your device? Ability Net is an online resource that can help. It has searchable simple ‘how to’ guides to make things easier to use.

The RNIB Library offers free talking books and other formats. Find out more about the free RNIB Talking Books Service, giving you access to over 40,000 fiction and non-fiction books for adults and children.

Calibre Audio supports anyone who is unable to see, read, manipulate or understand printed text with audiobooks which are either streamed, downloadable or on USB memory stick. Charges apply for some services for 18+.

Clearvision is a free postal library service supplying children’s books with added Braille (and some with Moon), from picture books to titles for older readers.

Living Paintings is a free postal library service loaning tactile and Braille books for children and adults.