We offer a comprehensive range of services for people who have problems with sight or hearing, or have difficulty in getting to their nearest library.
Many of our resources are available at your local library, or we can get them for you from our County Library Store in Lewes (please note, Store is not open to the public). Our mobile libraries visit towns and villages around the county.
Disabled access to libraries
Access to buildings
Most of our libraries are accessible by wheelchair. Some have limited disabled access – for details see each library's web page. Assistance dogs are welcome.
Library computers
Each library has a computer with a large screen, keyboard and trackball which you can use free of charge.
All our computers have accessibility software to magnify text, read information on screen aloud and write letters and save them as MP3 audio files.
Find out how to book free computers and Internet access.
Home library service
We run a free home library service for people cannot easily use a library due to disability, frailty or because they are caring for someone who cannot be left.
In some cases a librarian will visit you at home to discuss your needs. A volunteer will then be selected to choose books and bring them to you. Alternatively, someone from a voluntary agency will provide help.
If you would like to help deliver this library service to people in their homes, read about volunteering and libraries.
For people with a hearing impairment
If you have a problem with your hearing, we offer:
- DVDs with subtitles – most DVDs include subtitles in several languages
- hearing loop system at some libraries
- fax machines
- Bookshine packs – free touch and feel books for young children which you can request from our Bookstart Co-ordinator – read more about Bookshine.
Storytelling packs for disabled people – Bag Books
You can borrow storytelling packs for people with severe learning disabilities from our libraries. Find out more about our Bag Books storytelling packs.
Makaton resources for people with communication and learning difficulties
You can borrow Makaton symbols, signs and DVDs from libraries to teach language skills to children and adults with communication and learning difficulties. See our Makaton resources for teaching communication skills.
For people with a visual impairment
If you have a problem with your sight, we offer:
- large print books – printed books with big text and ebooks where you can change the size of the text – read more about large print books
- audiobooks on cassette, CDs, MP3 and WMA – we have a wide range of talking books for all ages in libraries and available to download. If you have a visual impairment, you can borrow and reserve them free of charge. You can ask staff at your local library to help you choose and reserve titles – read more about Ebooks and audiobooks.
- Booktouch packs – free touch and feel books for young children which you can request from our Bookstart Co-ordinator – read more about Booktouch
- ClearVision books for children – books with Braille and printed text
- audio described films on DVD – some DVDs include audio description (AD) providing spoken details of key visual elements, such as locations, facial expressions and clothing
- audio described films on CD – just the soundtrack of a film, no pictures, with a description about what is happening in the scene. These films can be played in a CD player.
Online library catalogues
East Sussex E-library
You can find and reserve our books and talking books using our E-library online catalogue. DVDs can be reserved after they are three-months-old.
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) library
The RNIB National Library Service is the largest specialist library in the UK for readers with sight loss, with over 40,000 titles. The library includes audio, braille, giant print and Moon books, books for children and young people, braille music and online reference services.
The RNIB provide a player and audiobooks by post. There is currently a waiting list to join this service paid for by our library service. However, you can pay for the service yourself by subscribing directly through the RNIB.
Calibre Audio Library
Calibre is a free postal audio service for people who have sight problems, dyslexia or other disabilities that prevent you reading printed books. The service is easy to use and offers a wide choice of fiction and non-fiction on cassettes, MP3 and USB memory sticks, for both children and adults.
East Sussex Association of Blind and Partially Sighted People (ESAB)
ESAB offers members a free postal service of audiobooks on cassette and CD, and audio-described videos. They also provide mobility training, skills courses, demonstrations and advice on specialist equipment, information on access to services and social activities. Please note, there is a small annual charge for joining ESAB.
East Sussex County Council