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Joining the library

The Blind Low Vision NZ Library is a rich resource. From audiobooks and magazines, to Braille and tactile books, there’s something for everyone. Depending on your eye condition or print disability, you may be able to receive our Library material online, or by direct loan. Our collections include fiction, non-fiction and periodicals, including daily newspapers. These are available in one or more accessible formats:

  • Braille (mainly UEB, Uncontracted English Braille)
  • DAISY audio (a specialised audiobook format)
  • e-Braille (electronic Braille files, in brf format)
  • Our largest collection by format is DAISY audio.

Membership

Become a Library member and gain access to our collections and services. To join the Library, please email us at library@blindlowvision.org.nz, or phone us on 0800 243333.

Membership is free to registered clients of Blind Low Vision NZ. We offer several membership types, catering to different groups:

Adult membership
Registered Blind Low Vision NZ clients (over 18 years of age) are eligible for adult membership. Adult membership offers access to all Library services.

Associate membership – Digital Services
Access to our digital services (Library content on Alexa, BookLink, and EasyReader) is available to New Zealand citizens and residents with a print disability who do not meet the full criteria for Blind Low Vision NZ membership. This category of membership is open to all ages.

Conditions of access

To access Blind Low Vision NZ Library services, we request you read and agree to the conditions of access and understand the copyright obligations. Please note these conditions are to fulfil our legal requirements, so our legal name (RNZFB) is used rather than our Blind Low Vision NZ trading name in the following terms and conditions of service.

Library terms and conditions

The library collection is protected by copyright, and to receive library services, you must agree to the conditions of acceptance:
Terms of Use

  • As a borrower, you are responsible for ensuring that any books or other material you borrow from the library are not made available to any other individual or organisation, copied, reproduced, sold or uploaded to the Internet.
  • You agree to return all materials and items borrowed, except audio magazines and newspapers, to the library by the due date.

Equipment loan conditions

You understand that the device is the property of RNZFB and is on loan to you for the purpose of listening to books and magazines. Every reasonable care will be taken with the use and security of the device, and you will only power the player with the power adapter provided with the player.

RNZFB are not responsible for any stolen or broken devices.

You undertake to ensure that if you no longer require services from the library, the player will be returned to the RNZFB.

Copyright obligations

The books and other works in the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) Library collection are protected by copyright. The RNZFB has the following policy regarding copyright:

To provide access to a selection of books and other published works, the RNZFB makes available copies of these works in various accessible formats. The RNZFB is permitted by the New Zealand Copyright Act 1994 to make these copies. The permission provided by the Copyright Act 1994 is only for persons with a print disability. Therefore only New Zealanders who are blind, print-disabled or have low vision are permitted to access the RNZFB Library’s collection.

As a borrower, you are responsible for ensuring that any books or other works you borrow from the RNZFB Library are not made available to any other individual or organisation. Actions that are not permitted include, but are not limited to:

Lending RNZFB Library items to another person.

  • Copying and sending items to another person.
  • Copying to another person’s computer or electronic device.
  • Emailing another person.
  • Uploading to the internet.

To respect the rights of copyright owners and protect the RNZFB Library service for other borrowers, the RNZFB reserves the right to refuse access to its collection for any individual or organisation that makes RNZFB works available to another person or organisation.

This policy intends to ensure that the rights of copyright owners are respected and that the RNZFB Library service is not jeopardised for blind, low vision or print-disabled New Zealanders.