Libraries

Calibre Audio Library - Visually impaired readers

Friday, 01 June 2012

With an increasing number of visually impaired older people listening to audio books on the move Calibre Audio Library, which provides audio books for people with sight problems, is responding to this growing trend.

The library, which was set up in 1974 as a cassette lending service, has seen a rapid move to digital technology allowing their MP3, CD and USB memory stick books to be downloaded on to a variety of commercially available players. In fact, 75% of its 19,000 members are now using digital formats.

Nicole Russell, Communications Officer for Calibre says:

“There is a strange perception that older people who are visually impaired are uninterested in the latest technology. This couldn’t be further from the truth and we’ve seen an increased demand for good books that can be listened to while people are travelling or working on their computers.

We’ve responded to this and our books can be transferred and played on devices such as: iPods, Smartphones, iPads and on the music files of the Amazon Kindle e-reader. We are introducing a streaming service where members can listen via our website and will be offering a downloading option soon. It’s important for us that visually impaired people can enjoy books in the same way that sighted readers can.”

If you are visually impaired or know someone who is and loves reading, you can find out more about Calibre Audio Library: www.calibre.org.uk or call 01296 432 339.