Reading

RNIB National Library Service

Summary: Everything you need to know about your library

• What can your library offer you?
• How to join
• Choosing books
• Book catalogues
• Readers forum
• Magazines
• Research Library
• Right to Read

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What can your library offer you?

RNIB National Library Service is the largest specialist library in the UK for readers with sight loss, with over 40,000 titles:

• borrow six books at a time, loan period is three months (no limit for Talking Books), postage is free
• the Talking Book Service with over 16,000 audio books
• braille books, giant print books and Moon books
• books for children and young people
• braille music
• online reference services.

How to join

Anyone who wants to read books in alternative formats can join the library. You can download an application form here:

• library application form (Word 63kb)

Contact details:

RNIB National Library Service
PO Box 173
Peterborough
PE2 6WS
RNIB Helpline 0303 123 9999
Email library@rnib.org.uk

Calling from outside the UK

Telephone +44 (0)1733 37 53 51

Choosing books

Read our get the book you want guide from RNIB. We also provide book lists to give you ideas. For more advice contact:

RNIB Reader Services
PO Box 173
Peterborough
PE2 6WS
Telephone 01733 37 53 33
Email library@rnib.org.uk

Book catalogues

• Talking Book Catalogue - to borrow audio books
• Library Catalogue - to borrow braille, maps, music, large or giant print and Moon
• Book Site Catalogue - to buy or stream audio, to buy braille, maps, music and large print.

You could also try:

• Online Shop - for other RNIB publications and resources
• Research Library Catalogue - for research on sight problems.

Readers forum

Talk with others about books on the new RNIB Readers forum. Just go to the board and register to join in or simply browse the messages. Your comments and views are welcomed, especially if you have never posted a message to the forums before.

Magazines

• Read On tells you about the services and books on offer and also brings you information about events and exciting new developments. The magazine is free and is sent out to all library users, or you can download a copy.
• New Books magazine is an update of all new book titles available for loan and sale from RNIB, designed to make it easy for you to choose the books you want to read. New Books is free and is sent to all library users and is also available to browse online or to download.

Other magazines from RNIB

You might also like to try Big Print, the only national weekly newspaper with an accompanying TV and Radio guide in large print. Big Print is available on subscription in the UK and costs £1.18 per issue. You can choose from quarterly, half yearly or annually, and postage and delivery is free of charge.

RNIB also offers a wide range of leisure magazines covering topics from music, current affairs and celebrity gossip to education, employment and vocational support.

Research Library

The RNIB Research Library is Europe’s largest, most comprehensive and diverse collection of print and electronic materials covering all aspects of sight loss. The library primarily provides research information in print and electronic formats.

Right to Read

RNIB believes that people with sight problems should be able to read the same book as everyone else - at the same time and at no extra cost. Help us to defend your rights by involving yourself in the Right to Read campaign.

The Copyright (Visually Impaired Persons) Act 2002 means that people with sight problems can get an accessible copy of a book for their own use without having to apply for permission.

Content author: cservices@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 10/06/2009 10:48