Library Services for people with special needs If you have a visual impairment We have a range of free services for people who are blind, partially sighted or have a visual impairment.
Books and Story tapesLarge print books can be borrowed from every library. We have both fiction and non-fiction and books for children.
All libraries have audio books on tape or CD. Our talking books have brailled titles and a list of titles added to stock within the last year is available in Braille and large print. There are Cassette and CD players with headphones to help you make your selection and staff are always happy to assist. Story tapes and CDs for children are also available.
Information and magazines on tapeStockton Central Library has a collection of information, newspapers and magazines on tape that you can borrow. Requests for these can be made at any library and the items sent there for you.
The information tapes include health information such as Giving Up Smoking, 101 Practical tips for living with poor sight, and Avoiding slips, trips and broken hips to general topics such as Changing your Gas/Electrical supplier.
Magazines available are Woman's Own, Woman, BBC Good Food, People's Friend, and Marks & Spencer's catalogues.
The news tapes are the Daily Mail Digest, the AIRS newspaper and magazine, Sounds Northern regional magazine and Stockton News.
Audio described videosAn ordering service for audio described videos is offered at all libraries. There is a brailled list of available titles but staff will be glad to help you make your selection....
MusicWe have a wide range of music CDs for all musical tastes including pop, jazz, folk and classical.
Learning packsMulti media open learning packs and language courses for all the major languages of the world on tape or CD are held centrally at Stockton Library but can be borrowed at any library using the catalogues available to make your selection
If you require any item in an accessible format that is not available in Stockton Libraries we can advise on stock available in specialist libraries such as the National Library for the Blind through access to their comprehensive online catalogue at www.nlbuk.org
Readers groupsIf you would like to meet new people and discover new authors several libraries have reading groups.
We would also welcome the opportunity to establish a reader's group specifically for people who have a visual impairment.
Please let staff know if you are interested in such an activity.
Accessible computer facilities Stockton libraries have computer facilities with free access to the internet and to popular Microsoft packages with equipment that makes it easier for visually impaired people to use.
Supernova software which magnifies text or converts it to speech is available in all libraries along with easy to use keyboards and mice.
Additionally computers with
JAWS screen reading software are available at Egglescliffe Library, Thornaby Central Library and Roseberry Library Billingham and in the Open Technology Centre at Stockton Central Library.
CCTV magnification is available at Roseberry Library, Billingham and Stockton Central Library.
It is advisable to contact your local library to check the availability of facilities before you visit.
The Ann Kallagher Suite of Technology for the blind and visually impaired A dedicated suite of facilities for blind and visually impaired people, the Ann Kallagher Suite is located in the Open Technology Centre on the first floor of Stockton Central Library accessed by stairs or lift.
The suite consists of:
- PC with HAL software that turns text to speech, linked to a Braillemaker
- PC with JAWS screen reading software, with 200m text magnificationSupernova screen reading magnification software
- Zoomtext
The computers and equipment are free to use but must be booked in advance.
If you are new to computers free tuition can also be arranged.
If you have a hearing impairment: Customers with hearing difficulties can choose from a selection of DVDs with sub-titles. You can borrow up to 4 DVDs which are free to hearing impaired people.
All our libraries have a deaf loop induction system at the counter with an optional hand held amplifier.
You can contact the library via textphone on 01642 528759
Visit the Library Online You can now visit the web and search our library catalogue. Registered borrowers can log on using their secure PIN and see details of their current loans and reservations as well as details of what they have borrowed in the past. They can also renew any items that may be due for return provided these have not been reserved by another borrower.
To access this service you will need your library card number and your library PIN. If you don't already have your PIN you can ask the staff at any of the Stockton libraries or email Steve Wild at the address below:
Steve.Wild@stockton.gov.uk
Or if you already have your pin number then why not log on to discover more at:
http://library.stockton.gov.uk/TalisPrism
If you would like to comment on our services for people with special needs or would like further information please email: pam.wilson@stockton.gov.uk
