Services for Patrons with Special Needs

WHO CAN USE THE SERVICE?

Our Special Needs Service is for anyone who, because of a physical, visual or perceptual disability, is unable to read regular print material.

WHAT SPECIAL MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE AT WESTERN COUNTIES REGIONAL LIBRARY?

TALKING BOOKS

We have a small collection of Talking Books, both fiction and nonfiction. We also have access to the collections of other Nova Scotia Regional Libraries. Talking books are restricted to persons with a visual handicap. You can search our catalog for talking books by typing talking book in the box on the Search screen. When you are listed as a Special Needs borrower in our system you may place holds on items you want yourself, or call us and we will place the holds for you.
DESCRIPTIVE VIDEOS

Descriptive videos are movies and other films where action without dialogue is described by a narrator for those who have difficulty seeing. These are the same movies found in the video store, except they are more accessible to those with special needs. The descriptive voiceovers are not intrusive, and will not interfere with your enjoyment of the film. Descriptive videos may be borrowed by all Western Counties Regional Library members. To search for holdings type descriptive videorecordings in the Search box of our catalog. Videos are not generally available on Interlibrary Loan, but items for patrons with Special Needs are the exception. You may also search other regional libraries in our catalog, or just call us.

HOW DO I BECOME A SPECIAL NEEDS BORROWER?

To become a Special Needs Borrower, call Susan at our Headquarters at 742-2486, or drop into any of our branches. If you don't have a Western Counties library card already, you will be asked to register with us.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Our Special Needs Service operates on an individual basis. You will be asked about your preferences: romance, adventure, mystery, nonfiction, etc., how many books you will want and how often.

You may pick up books at a branch, or they can be sent in the mail. Though a long-standing agreement with Canada Post, materials for the blind are postage free. We can accommodate persons who are confined to their homes by using telephone and mail. it is not necessary to come to the library yourself. We will select books for you based on your preferences.

HOW MANY BOOKS MAY BE BORROWED?

As many as you wish, though we do not have as many Talking Books as print ones.

HOW LONG CAN THE BOOKS BE BORROWED?

Generally, Talking Books are borrowed for a month, and they may be renewed if there are no requests on them. We can also lend them on a long term loan, up to nine weeks for borrowers who live a long distance from the Library or who are residents of Seniors' Homes, or when returning books might be difficult.

WHO LOOKS AFTER TALKING BOOKS AND DESCRIPTIVE VIDEOS?

Our Special Needs Department looks after Talking Books and Descriptive Videos. We are always available to answer questions, suggest reading choices, or help in any way. We will make every effort to obtain for you any books we do not have in our holdings through interlibrary loans. We are available to answer reference questions and tell you what other books are available by authors you have enjoyed.

WHAT ELSE DOES THE LIBRARY HAVE FOR PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS?

The Gates Computer Lab is a training lab located in the Yarmouth Branch. Use of the lab is free, and priority is given to groups and agencies serving the disadvantaged.

Public Access Computers are available in all of our branches. Our Digby, Yarmouth and Shelburne libraries each have a CCTV for free use on site, to enlarge reading materials for the visually impaired.

At the Clare Branch, we have a computer with a large screen and Web-4-All Package, and four computers with ZoomText Xtra.

405 Main Street · Yarmouth, NS · B5A 1G3 · Phone: 902-742-2486 · Fax: 902-742-6920 · Email: ansy@nsy.library.ns.ca