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Cumbria Libraries Bee Aware Scheme

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beeaware

Cumbria Libraries offer a free inter library loans service to Visually Impaired people through the Bee Aware scheme. 

The libraries taking part include the National Library for the Blind (NLB), the Royal National Institute of  Blind People (RNIB), the Talking Newspaper Association UK (TNAUK), and Calibre (Cassette Library for the Blind and Print Disabled) who have all agreed to make their resources available through public libraries.

Visually impaired library customers can order items free of charge at any Cumbria library.

Eligibility: 

  • either registered blind or partially sighted
  • a member of Calibre, National Library for the Blind, Royal National Institute for the Blind or Talking Newspapers Association UK
  • unable to read a standard print book in the ordinary way (declaration forms for this are available from the library and must be signed by a doctor, health visitor or social worker. Registration for the scheme can begin as soon as the form is handed back to the library).          

More Information RNIB website

The British Wireless for the Blind Fund

The Library Service in Cumbria has teamed up with national charity British Wireless for the Blind Fundthis external link will open in a new window to ensure local people who have a visual impairment can get access to audio equipment on free permanent loan.

The British Wireless for the Blind fund is a national charity which provides audio equipment on free permanent loan to people who are registered blind and partially sighted, over the age of eight years old, resident in the UK and meet their eligibility criteria. The charity offers a number of different sets including the new Sonata Internet Audio Player.

The Sonata is specially designed to allo easy use for someone with a visual impairment. The set connects through a broadband connection and allows the user to listen to radio stations from all over the world, podcasts, talking books and audio magazines. It even allows you to listen to catalogues such as M7S and Argos.

If you would like to see a demonstration of the Sonata or any other audio equipment available  please visit your local library.