Services for the visually impaired
Explore services and collections for visually impaired people, and accessibility software to use on library computers and eResources.
Blind Low Vision NZ
Blind Low Vision NZ supports clients around the country. They have special rights under the Section 69 of The Copyright Act 1994.
The Blind Low Vision NZ Library includes audiobooks and magazines, braille and tactile books. Depending on your eye condition or print disability, you may be able to receive our Library material online, or by direct loan. Find out more.
Accessibility on Apple devices
If you have low vision, poor hearing or problems with co-ordination, the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch all have great accessibility functions to make life easier. Blind Low Vision NZ works with their clients to show them how to use these functions and customise settings on their devices.
Find out more about accessibility on Apple devices:
Accessibility tools on library computers
Accessibility, when referring to the design of software, refers to the practice of designing software so that people of all abilities and disabilities have equal access to information and functionality. Some software is specifically designed to make other software accessible to users who, for example, are sight-impaired for example. The following accessibility tools are available on our computers:
Magnifier
Magnifier is included as part of Windows. Magnifier splits the window you are viewing into two; the top half of the window displays the selected text in a larger font.
- To use magnifier, go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > Ease of Access > Magnifier.
- To quit, click Exit or press Alt-X.
Is screen magnification software installed on the public PCs?
Yes. Magnifying Glass software is installed to assist people with visual disabilities.
- To use it go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > Ease of Access > Magnifying Glass.
- To exit from, or restart Magnifying Glass use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl-ALT-G.
To change options such as the zoom level and size, right-click the Magnifying Glass icon in the system tray in the bottom right corner of your screen.
Help is available from Microsoft.
BYO Headphones
The internal speaker on our free internet computers are disabled therefore bring your own headphones that use a standard headphone jack. To find the headphone jack, run your hand down the left side of the computer screen. The headphone jack has a round finger size hole.
Narrator
Narrator is a screen reader utility included in Microsoft Windows. The visually impaired can use it to read dialogue boxes and window controls.
To use Narrator, go to Start > Programs > Accessories > Ease of Access > Narrator.
Keyboard shortcut Windows Control Enter turns Narrator on.
Narrator will switch off when you log into the desktop, you will need to press Windows Control Enter again to enable Narrator again.
To quit Narrator, use Windows Control Enter.
Narrator uses a blue box to identify areas to be read. This allows you to have greater precision with what is narrated to you.
NVDA - Non Visual Desktop Access
NVDA – Non Visual Desktop Access is a free, open-source screen reader installed on our public computers. NVDA is not available until you have logged into the free internet computer. You can use Microsoft Narrator, the built-in Windows screen reader, at the login screen instead.
Use keyboard shortcut Windows S to Windows Search for the NVDA application
- Type nvda
- When NVDA is selected press enter to run it
- To quit NVDA use the keyboard shortcut Insert Q
NVDA will read everything on the page and even tell you about logos and adverts.
See also:
Collections for the visually impaired
eAudiobooks
Use your library card to borrow eAudiobooks for adults, kids and young adults. Download to your device so you can listen when you're on the move. There is a huge range - bestsellers, mysteries, thrillers, biographies and romance novels.
Libby - the OverDrive app
BorrowBox
uLibrary eAudiobooks
Libby - the OverDrive app
BorrowBox
uLibrary eAudiobooks
eAudiobooks
Large Print
A range of fiction and non-fiction titles is available in large print.
Playaway
An easy–to–use audio player provided by the library and ready loaded with up to 80 hours of listening. It can fit in your pocket and go anywhere with you.
Find Playaway titles in our collection.
Talking Books
Audiobook compact discs may come as normal CDs or as MP3/M4b audiobooks.
FAQ
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Not ready when your hold becomes available? No worries—Libby lets you suspend your hold, opens a new window. This means you keep your place in line, but the book goes to the next person. This is perfect if you’re overwhelmed with current reads or just not in the mood for that genre right now.
🌟 Pro-tip: If you do nothing when your hold becomes available, your hold will be suspended automatically for you once as a courtesy. Holds will lapse if they're suspended for 365 days in a row.
Suspended holds no longer unsuspend automatically, so you’ll need to manually unsuspend them when you’re ready to read.
How do I unsuspend a hold when I’m ready to read?
To do that, go to your Shelf, tap Holds at the top of the screen, tap Unsuspend, then Unsuspend Hold. If you forget to unsuspend a hold for a whole year (365 days), Libby will cancel it for you.
After unsuspending your hold, it will be delivered when you reach the top of the wait list.
Do you still have questions? Here's a guide to Everything you need to know about holds in OverDrive / Libby
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AWA is our new shared digital collection with Selwyn Libraries. Christchurch City Customers who are already signed into the Libby App or our classic OverDrive site are all set. They will see the collection has changed its name to AWA and will enjoy greater choice and access in this shared collection.
If you are signing into the Libby App for the first time follow the prompts to find your library.
A search for Christchurch City Libraries will guide you to our AWA collection.
Select Christchurch City Libraries from the AWA dropdown and sign in with your Library card and PIN or password
If you are new to our classic OverDrive site click sign in and select the Christchurch City Libraries option from the AWA dropdown to sign in with your Library card and PIN or password
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How can people log into the new service?
The transition will be as seamless as possible for library customers. Our Christchurch City Libraries customers who are already signed into the Libby App or our classic OverDrive site won’t need to do anything. On the 1 July, our Go Live date, they will see the collection has changed its name to AWA.New Libby customers will follow the prompts to find their library. A search for Christchurch City Libraries will guide them to the AWA collection. Then they select Christchurch City Libraries from the AWA dropdown and sign in with their Library card. New customers to, or existing customers who've signed out of, our classic OverDrive site will also select the Christchurch City Libraries option from the AWA dropdown to sign in with their Library card.
Why won’t Christchurch residents get the same increase in access to content as Selwyn?
Due to the difference in population size the Selwyn Libraries initial base collection will be less than Christchurch’s initial base collection.Won’t this result in more competition/longer wait time for popular titles?
Current selection and purchasing criteria is based on availability and customer demand; this will not change with the shared collection.Why are we doing this?
Library users will have more choice due to a richer variety of content, particularly newer and more popular items. The collaboration will help to build relationships between the two organisations, encouraging sharing of ideas and learning for the enhancement of services for all library members.How much is this going to cost?
The costs are within existing budgets.How are you able to provide this service without it costing more?
The new service delivers better value for money through a growth in the user base and in expected collection turnover.Is this a permanent arrangement?
This is a trial partnership lasting for a two-year period, from 1 July 2025. Over that timeframe both Selwyn Libraries and Christchurch City Libraries will conduct regular monitoring of data and usage. Parties will meet twice per annum to review the past period and forward plan. Prior to June 2027, we will review the success of the collaboration.Why aren’t other Canterbury councils included?
If the digital access partnership is successful, other opportunities to collaborate may be considered, such as programming and events, developing shared staff professional development, or expanding the arrangement to include the other Canterbury councils. -
On November 13, 2024, OverDrive retired the MP3 audiobook format from OverDrive library websites and ended support for OverDrive's desktop apps for Windows and Mac (which only worked with MP3 audiobooks).
You can listen to audiobooks using the following options:
- In Libby (available for Android, iOS, or Amazon Fire devices or at libbyapp.com in a web browser)
- On your library's OverDrive website using the Listen now in browser option
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If you're missing parts (chapters, pages, minutes, etc.) of a downloaded book, audiobook, or magazine, delete and re-download it.
Steps for audiobooks and books
- Tap Shelf
. - Tap Loans at the top of the screen.
- Tap
, then Remove Download. - Wait for two minutes, then completely close the app:
- On Android devices: Open your recently used apps list, find the Libby app, and swipe to close it.
- On iOS devices: Close the Libby app by swiping up from the app switcher on your iPhone or iPad.
- Reopen the app.
- Go to your Shelf , then tap
next to the title. This will download a fresh copy.
Steps for magazines
- Tap Shelf .
- Tap
next to the magazine's name. - Tap Remove Download.
- Wait for two minutes, then completely close the app:
- On Android devices: Open your recently used apps list, find the Libby app, and swipe to close it.
- On iOS devices: Close the Libby app by swiping up from the app switcher on your iPhone or iPad.
- Reopen the app.
- Go to your Shelf , tap
next to the magazine, then Download.
If re-downloading the title doesn't resolve the issue, consider reporting it to the Libby Support team.
- Tap Shelf
