Library Services
We assist members with a range of technology and services. We also provide Help Guides in accessible formats, including voice-controlled technology.
We offer a selection of technologies to ensure members with varying abilities and preferences are provided for.
Alexa
Blind Low Vision NZ’s “Alexa Skill” enables you to listen to audiobooks, magazines, and newspapers from Blind Low Vision NZ’s Accessible Library with your Alexa device, using voice control.
EasyReader
EasyReader is a free, accessible reading app for people with print disabilities such as blindness, low vision, or dyslexia. The Blind Low Vision NZ Library in EasyReader gives you direct access to our collection of over 35,000 audiobooks, with all of the books recorded in our studios and received from our overseas partners.
Telephone Information Service (TIS)
Blind Low Vision NZ’s Telephone Information Service, called TIS, is an easy way to get information at your fingertips. You can find out what’s happening in your local area, hear Blind Low Vision NZ news, and get information on special areas of interest.
TIS bulletins include:
- Local and national newspaper content- with articles from over 70 newspapers
- Financial information
- Radio and TV programme schedules
- Public notices and announcements
- Updates from Blind Low Vision NZ
- Interactive feedback lines operated by associated organisations (link to associated orgs)
- Information from government departments and other agencies
- Newspaper and magazine articles
To access TIS, use a touch-tone telephone to choose whether, for example, you want to listen to the day’s news.
You can go further than this and create a favourites list using a special TIS functions menu. And there are some popular quick cheats – like the Blind Sport feedback line (menu 5 then 2). Here is the full cheat sheet including tips on how to set up a favourites list.
Synthetic voices are used for some content on TIS, and they come in different accents, so you can hear an Aussie twang, a British voice or the sound of the veldt from South Africa. Big thanks to Nuance for the great deal on 4 new synthetic voices: British Daniel, Australian Karen, Australian Lee and South African Tessa.
TIS phone numbers
TIS is free to all those registered with Blind Low Vision NZ. Check out the list below of the toll-free calling numbers covering nearly all New Zealand.
| Location | Phone number |
| Whangarei | 09 929 9099 |
| Auckland | 09 302 3344 |
| Hamilton | 07 834 2288 |
| Tauranga | 07 929 6199 |
| Napier-Hastings | 06 835 9136 |
| Gisborne | 06 929 1033 |
| Palmerston North | 06 354 8316 |
| Wanganui | 06 348 4403 |
| New Plymouth | 06 929 3088 |
| Nelson | 03 929 5033 |
| Christchurch | 03 355 8381 |
| Timaru | 03 688 6921 |
| Oamaru | 03 433 1026 |
| Dunedin | 03 455 8833 |
| Balclutha | 03 418 3332 |
| Gore | 03 203 3001 |
| Invercargill | 03 218 6470 |
| Wellington | 04 389 3858 |
All other areas: 0800 36 33 44
Library Help and Support
If you need more information or assistance with library services, please get in touch by emailing library@blindlowvision.org.nz or calling 0800 24 33 33
