Accessibility at WBPL
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Library staff are happy to help connect you with accessibility tools, collections, and services that meet your needs. Need information in an alternate format? Please ask staff for assistance.
Accessible Services
The library offers specialized accessible services for community members including:
- Books on Wheels Delivery Service: Residents who do not have the means to visit the library due to disabilities, illness or mobility challenges can have collection items delivered to their homes once per month.
- Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) Service: The library collaborates with CELA to provide books and other materials to Canadians with visual, cognitive or physical disabilities. Through the library, members can gain access to materials in different easy-to-read formats.
Accessible Collections & Formats
We offer a variety of formats and resources to support different reading, learning, and access needs.
Alternate Reading Formats
- Audiobooks: Books recorded on CDs can be played on typical CD players.
- Playaway Devices: Books are recorded on a small device that can be listened to using earbuds or by plugging the device into a speaker system.
- Large Print: Books are available with 16 or 18 point font size for easier reading.
- Wonderbooks: Print books with a built-in audiobook player that let children read and listen at the same time.
- Downloadable E-books: Members can access a large selection of online books to be read to digital devices including e-readers, tablets, phones or computers. The font size can be enlarged on all of these devices.
- Downloadable Audiobooks: Members can access a selection of online audiobooks that can be listened to on their digital devices.
Specialized Reading Support
- Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) Service: The library collaborates with CELA to provide books and other materials to Canadians with visual, cognitive or physical disabilities.
- Decodable Dyslexia-Friendly Books: Books designed to help children build reading confidence through structured, phonics-based text.
- Interlibrary Loan Service: A service that helps expand access to books and alternate reading formats by borrowing materials from participating libraries outside WBPL’s collection.
Children & Family Resources
Resources available in the Tatham Engineering Children’s Zone at WBPL.
- Wonderbooks: Print books with a built-in audiobook player that let children read and listen at the same time.
- Decodable Dyslexia-Friendly Books: Books designed to help children build reading confidence through structured, phonics-based text.
- Sensory Support Kits: Support kit for children with sensory processing needs, including calming tools and tactile items.
Accessibility & Equipment in the Library
WBPL offers a range of accessibility features to help make visits to the library more comfortable and convenient.
Available at the Library:
- Accessible washrooms: Washrooms designed to support a wide range of mobility and accessibility needs.
- Child changing station: A safe and convenient space for diapering and child changing.
- Adult changing station: An accessible adult change table located off the arena lobby, beside the RE/MAX room.
- COMING SOON - AuraLoop hearing assistance system: A hearing support system that helps improve sound clarity for hearing aid users.
- Optelec magnifier: An electronic magnifier that makes printed text and images easier to see.
- Magnifying glass: A handheld magnifier available to help with reading small print.
- Headphones: Borrowable headphones available for audio use and sensory support.