FAQs
What is the CNIB Library Partners Program?
The CNIB Library offers the Partners Program to all public libraries in participating provinces or territories. The program supports public libraries in their service to community members who are unable to read print due to a disability. Partner libraries provide local access to the CNIB Library’s circulating collection and online services.
What services are available through the Partners Program?
The CNIB Library Partners Program allows public libraries to deepen their existing services for patrons with print disabilities with a networked library service via postal delivery and digital access to:
- The CNIB Digital Library, including the Children's Discovery Portal and 60 Plus Portal
- Books of all kinds for all ages in English DAISY audiobooks, French DAISY audiobooks, braille, and PrintBraille
- Newspapers and magazines online
- Described videos
- Braille music scores
What are the eligibility requirements for CNIB Library service?
Anyone who has a perceptual disability because of blindness or partial sight, physical disability and/or learning disability in accordance with the definition provided in Section 32 of the Canadian Copyright Act qualifies for Partners Program service.
Click here to see the full text of the Canadian Copyright Act.
Will CNIB provide Reader Advisory support to Partner library patrons?
Public library patrons who are registered for Partners Program service may contact Reader Services reader.services@cnib.ca or toll-free 1-800-268-8818.
Public library staff may contact PartnersProgram@cnib.ca or 1-800-563-2642 ext. 7055 with training or service inquiries.
Does CNIB provide training for public library staff?
CNIB Library provides training in-person, online or by teleseminar, subject to availability and budget. These sessions include:
- an overview of the Partners Program
- eligibility criteria
- overview of access to CNIB Library’s Circulating Collection and online resources for patrons with print disabilities
- a demonstration of DAISY talking books
- examples of other alternative formats available through the CNIB Library Partners Program
For information on training schedules, please contact PartnersProgram@cnib.ca
How can Partner libraries access CNIB Library’s collection of alternative formats for their patrons with print disabilities?
There are 3 ways for Partner Libraries to provide access to the CNIB Library collection:
- Deposit Collections: Long-term deposits of DAISY books and magazines catalogued and circulated by Partner Libraries to eligible patrons.
- Interloan Service: Place holds on individual items on behalf of patrons, for delivery to the Partner Library; similar to an Inter-Library Loan model.
- Direct CNIB Service: Register patrons with print disabilities for service including access to the CNIB Digital Library and delivery of physical formats.
What resources are available to frontline library staff wishing to promote the Partners Program and provide assistance to eligible patrons?
The following links are helpful resources for promoting the CNIB Library:
How do Partner Libraries register patrons for service through the CNIB Library Partners Program?
Once eligibility has been established, Partner library staff fill out and submit the online referral form available on CNIB Library’s web site, on behalf of the print disabled patron:
What are DAISY talking books? Do they require special players?
DAISY (Digital Accessible Information SYstem) is an international format standard developed by libraries for the blind. DAISY books have a superior sound quality, functionality and stability when compared to other audio formats.
Access to the special features of DAISY books and magazines requires a special DAISY player or DAISY playback software for a computer. Some Partner libraries have purchased DAISY players as part of their circulating collection for people with print disabilities.
The DAISY players are multi-purpose because they can be used to play other commercially produced MP3 and audio books, as well as music CDs.
For more information on DAISY, please refer to our DAISY FAQs.
Can CNIB provide any assistance for libraries wanting to set up accessible work stations or purchase adaptive technology?
General information on accessibility issues can be found on the following websites:
CNIB provides information and assistance on a fee for service basis. For more information consult the CNIB Accessibility Services website.
CNIB offers information and products to assist people who are blind or partially sighted. For more information visit the Consumer Products & Assistive Technology website.
Partners may also contact their local CNIB office to speak to staff familiar with various kinds of adaptive technology.
Vendors of adaptive technology are also a good place to investigate what is available. Following is a list of web sites for some adaptive technology vendors in Canada:
For more information, please contact:
CNIB Library Partners Program
1-800-563-2642 extension 7055