Using the Library

Accessible Services

Facility Accessibility

The High Level Municipal Library is wheelchair accessible with marked accessible parking spaces outside of the building. The washrooms are also wheelchair-accessible and feature baby changing stations. 

Accessible Library Services

Alberta library patrons who have trouble reading traditional print because of a visual, physical or learning disability can access accessible library services. These services include CELA/CAEB (Centre for Equitable Library Access/Centre d'accès équitable aux bibliothèques) and NNELS (National Network for Equitable Library Service).

Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA)

CELA is a national non-profit organization established by Canadian public libraries that allow libraries to serve their patrons with visual, learning or physical disability that prevents them from reading conventional print. CELA is supported by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) and by the Canadian Urban Libraries Council (CULC). 

Patrons with perceptual disabilities in Peace Library System libraries may request and borrow titles from CELA as long as the patron code in their patron account in Polaris is “Print Disabled”.

As a member of CELA, you have access to offer a broad choice of formats which include audio, braille, e-text and described video, including:

  • Books, magazines, newspapers and described videos
  • Access to Bookshare, the world’s largest online library of accessible reading materials. Bookshare items are available to download to computers and mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and braille displays.
  • A broad selection of genres: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, juvenile, young adult, business, self-help
  • A choice of delivery options: direct download to computer, handheld devices and DAISY player; CD and braille mailed to the home library

Public library patrons with a print disability may register themselves for CELA services.

National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS)

NNELS is an online public library which provides published books in accessible formats for Canadians with print disabilities.

Their goal is to enable patrons with perceptual disabilities to access the same types of books and information available in any public library but in digital formats that are accessible for their needs. NNELS generally collects popular and recent material with a focus on Canadian literature. Additions to the NNELS collection are driven by: patron requests, partner selections, and contributions from publishers and alternate format producers.

While the NNELS collection primarily holds English language titles, NNELS accepts requests in other languages, especially French. NNELS acquires and produces titles in digital formats, including DAISY, MP3, PDF, E-text, and EPUB. When requesting an item, the patron may request it made into a particular format. If the requested title and format are already commercially available elsewhere, NNELS may direct the patron’s library to purchase it; otherwise, they will produce the title and make it available on the NNELS website.

Patrons with perceptual disabilities in Peace Library System libraries may request and borrow titles from NNELS as long as the patron code in their patron account in Polaris is “Print Disabled”.

To request a title, visit the NNELS request form.

For tutorials and instructions on searching and downloading existing NNELS titles, visit the NNELS Help Page.