photo of a Victor Reader machine

Services for Print Disabled

CELA and NNELS are free services for library patrons with print disabilities. These services ensure equitable access to library materials.

  • CELA - Centre for Equitable Library Access
  • NNELS - National Network for Equitable Library Service

Contact us for more information, or to register as a patron with print disabilities.

Print Disabilities Defined

The Canadian Copyright Act defines "perceptual disabilities" as including:

  • Learning Disability - an impairment relating to comprehension
  • Physical Disability - the inability to hold or manipulate a book
  • Visual Disability - severe or total impairment of sight or the inability to focus or move one's eyes

A person may be temporarily print disabled and still be eligible to use CELA and NNELS

CELA Frequently Asked Questions

CELA services are for library patrons with print disabilities, whether permanent or temporary.

Patrons self-register online at signup.celalibrary.ca. Library staff may assist patrons with the online sign-up if requested. Once registered patrons will be able to request materials. 

CELA's collection includes materials in English and French for all ages and interests.

Materials are available in a variety of formats:

PHYSICAL FORMATS:

  • DAISY discs
  • Audiobooks on CD
  • Braille materials

DIGITAL FORMATS:

  • DAISY files
  • Downloadable audiobooks
  • Newspapers

Once they are registered, patrons can search or browse for materials at celalibrary.ca.

  • Download materials to computer or mobile device.
  • Receive DAISY discs, audiobook CDs, Braille materials, or described videos by mail direct to their home. No postage is required to return materials.
  • Borrow physical materials from deposit collections at their local library (collections vary by location). 

CELA Library Staff Orientation Video

NNELS Frequently Asked Questions

NNELS services are for library patrons with print disabilities, whether permanent or temporary.

  1. Library staff enters the Patron Code in the patron's record in Polaris to PRINT DISABLED.
  2. Patrons self-register online at nnels.ca. Library staff may assist patrons with the online sign-up if requested. 

Once a patron is registered, they can login to nnels.ca using their library card barcode number and PIN.

NNELS content is predominantly popular fiction and non-fiction for all ages. Some French content is available.

NNELS materials are available in a variety of digital formats: 

  • Downloadable audiobooks in DAISY or MP3 formats
  • Downloadable eBooks in ePUB, eTEXT, and PDF formats

Once they are registered and logged in to nnels.ca patrons can search or browse for materials.

  • Download materials to computer or mobile device
  • Transfer files to iPod, MP3 player, Victor or DAISY Reader
  • Download audiobooks to computer and burn onto discs tp be played in a DAISY Reader 

If the audiobook you are looking for isn't available in NNELS, you can request it to be added to the NNELS collection nnels.ca/contact.

For titles that have never been produced in alternate formats, NNELS relies on volunteers to record audiobooks. If you are interested in recording an audiobook for NNELS, visit nnels.ca/volunteer for more details.

NNELS Training for Library Staff

Library Materials for Patrons with Print Disabilities

Marigold Library System and your local public library provide collections of LARGE PRINT books, physical AUDIOBOOKS on CD or MP3 disc, and downloadable eBOOKS and eAUDIOBOOKS.

Visit the online library catalogue, TRACpac to search for materials:

→ Search by: author, title, subject, or genre

→ Limit by format: Large print, Audio-book, Ebook, Eaudiobook

If you require assistance searching for library materials, please contact us.