Library services for people with a visual impairment
Join the library
It is free to join by visiting any library, or online. Members who are registered as Vision Impaired incur no fees or charges. Free reservations of all loanable items are available. Help is available at all libraries.
Large print books
Coventry Libraries have a range of books in large print format. The print size (font size) is 14pt. These titles cover romances, biographies, classics, novels, adventure, western and thrillers. Try one out and you will soon see why so many people already use the large print service. They are available through your Library and can be reserved free of charge. Did you know you can search and reserve items online too? To log in you will need your Coventry Library card and four digit pin number. For those with a registered vision impairment, there are no charges for these items.
DVDs
Coventry Central Library has a wide range of DVDs including TV series, films and a collection of World Cinema titles. For those with a registered vision impairment, there are no charges for these items.
Resources for children and young people
Coventry Libraries have a collection of popular children's picture books that are turned into accessible books to enable adults and children to read together. These books come in giant print [75 pt] with Braille.
The following collections are available at Central library; please ask staff if you would like to borrow them:
- Clear Vision books have Braille, print and pictures, making them suitable for vision-impaired and sighted children and young people to share with adults. The collection includes tactile board books, simple stories for young children and stimulating books for new readers. Membership is free to families.
- CustomEyes books offer customised large print books for vision-impaired children and young people. The collection is made up of popular children's book titles and is suitable for children of all ages. Membership is free and the custom-made books are charged at the Recommended Retail Price.
- Calibre Audio offer audio books for free for under-25s
- Living Paintings offer free books for blind and partially sighted people in the UK
- RNIB Library The RNIB Library is the largest of it's kind in the UK, and it's completely free, with over 60,000 items in the collection. This website is your gateway to the entire collection in one place: Audio, Braille, Music
Screen magnifier display
The Central Library in Smithford Way has a Low Vision Reader. It will enlarge the print or handwriting up to sixty times on the television screen. These are free facilities available for people with a vision impairment.
Magnifiers
Every library has handheld magnifiers, which you can use to read books, information leaflets and newspapers.