Library services for deaf and hard of hearing people

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can apply for a concessionary library card. Disability equality communications awareness training is provided for all staff who will be pleased to help as much as they can.

For more information about concessionary membership, follow the link from this page. This means that, as well as borrowing books, which are free to everyone, you can also reserve and borrow videos, DVDs and CDs free of charge as well.

Sub-titled videos and DVDs

You can borrow sub-titled videos and DVDs free of charge. Most DVDs have a sub-title option. Special editions of some videos used to be produced with subtitles but these were phased out when hidden captions were introduced. You need a video caption reader attached to your TV and video to see the captions.

Deaf awareness collection

This is a collection of books, videos, tapes and CDs about deafness and hard of hearing. It includes books and videos to help you if you are learning to lip read, books and CDs to help you to learn BSL (British Sign Language), and books about deafness for adults and children. You can download the list by following the link on this page. Please ask at your local library for a list of titles. Please let the library service know of any titles that you think should be added to this collection.

Induction loops

All library buildings have been surveyed and fitted with Induction Loops wherever possible. A regular programme of loop testing is in place but if you think the loop is not working, if an induction loop is not available or you still find it difficult to hear, please tell the staff.

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