Accessibility
Cumberland Public Libraries strives to ensure that everyone is welcome and has access to the full range of information, services, and programs that we offer. We offer a variety of materials and services to meet the needs of persons with sensory and cognitive disabilities.
Download and view CPL’s Accessibility Plan here.
Materials
- Large print books
- Audiobooks
- E-readers
- Downloadable audiobooks & e-books
- Movies, documentaries, & TV series
- And more!
To request an item from our collection search our online catalogue and place a hold.
Services
CPL offers FREE services to the public, ensuring that all patrons can use the library. These include:
- One assistive technology workstation at each CPL branch
- OverDrive
- Hoopla
- Borrow By Mail
CELA and NNELS
Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) and National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS) are collections and services available to those with print disabilities. With your library card, you can register to borrow accessible items!
CELA
The Centre for Equitable Library Access, CELA, is Canada’s comprehensive accessible reading service, providing books and other materials to Canadians with print disabilities in the formats of their choice.
Their collection includes award winners, best sellers, fiction and non-fiction with a special emphasis on Canadian authors and stories, and favourites for kids and teens.
You are eligable to register for CELA if you’re a Library member with a print disability and you live within Cumberland County.
Patrons can self-register online using their library card.
NNELS
The National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS) is a repository of content owned and sustained by Canadian public libraries. They work with international partners, libraries, readers, and publishers (particularly Canadian ones) to make copies of books in accessible formats available to readers in Canada who have print disabilities.
As defined by NNELS, perceptual disabilities (commonly known as “print disabilities”) include three broad categories of people who require accessible formats:
- severe or total impairment of sight or hearing or the inability to focus or move one’s eyes,
- the inability to hold or manipulate a book, or
- an impairment relating to comprehension.
Patrons who meet the definition of “print disability” above can register by contacting Dianna Lawless at 902-667-2549 (Ext. 228) or by emailing information@cumberlandpubliclibraries.ca
Once registered, you can sign up for NNELS here.
Interregional Advisory Committee for Library Accessibility (IACLA)
CPL has joined forces with five other regional library boards (e.g. Annapolis Valley Regional Library, Cape Breton Regional Library, Colchester-East Hants Public Library, Eastern Counties Regional Library, and Western Counties Regional Library) to form an Interregional Library Accessibility Advisory Committee.
The Committee is composed of twelve members; half of the Committee members are people with disabilities or who represent people with disabilities.
The goal of this committee is to: advise on the preparation, implementation and effectiveness of its accessibility plan; consult with stakeholders on accessibility in the organization; identify and advise on the accessibility of existing and proposed services and facilities; advise and make recommendations about strategies designed to achieve the objectives of the organization’s accessibility plan; and assist in monitoring compliance with federal and provincial government directives and regulations.