National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS)

NNELS is a publicly-funded library service working to make library collections accessible to readers with print disabilities in local communities. In December 2013, NNELS partners launched the repository of downloadable accessible format materials, now available through Canada’s public library network.

NNELS is fully funded by the provincial and territorial governments of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, and Yukon. To learn more about NNELS, please visit the NNELS website.

What are users saying about NNELS?

“I really am so excited to be able to read things I want! The other places just tell me there’s no chance I’ll get my books.”
– Michelle Creedy, NNELS user, Chilliwack, BC

“NNELS has proven to make transferring the downloaded book to any digital playback device very easy. Having the entire DAISY book in its own folder within the archive makes it quick and efficient.”
– Glen Sepke, Vision Impaired Resource Network (VIRN)

“The Canadian Federation of the Blind favours a publicly funded, publicly directed, and publicly accountable library service, in which blind patrons will increasingly be able to access the same books, at the same time, from the same libraries as their sighted neighbours. We are extremely pleased that the National Network for Equitable Library Service is listening and working toward an integrated solution for our library needs. NNELS is networking with provinces, territories and public libraries across the country to pool resources and greatly expand the type and amount of material available in alternate formats, including access to Braille material.

We strongly support the NNELS initiative’s creativity of leveraging existing mainstream library resources to make accessibility to reading material for blind and print-disabled Canadians an integral part of the public library system.”
– Mary Ellen Gabias, President, Canadian Federation of the Blind