Equitable access is one of our core values at the library. We are committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive place for all community members.
Learn about the Library’s collaboration with the City of Powell River and qathet Regional District on the Joint Accessibility and Inclusion Advisory Committee at our Accessibility Committee Page, and read about how we are improving accessibility in our three-year Accessibility Plan 2023 – 2026.
We offer the following accessible services and programs.
Feedback
Want to provide feedback about accessibility at the library? Let us know what happened or how you think we can improve our space, services, and programs on our Accessibility Feedback Page.
Facility
- Wheelchair and stroller-accessible facility with entry ramp and automatic-open front entry
- Wheelchair and stroller-accessible gender-neutral washroom
- Designated accessible parking
- Bus stop located on Alberni St. at Joyce Ave.
- Dedicated Children’s and Teen’s areas
- A sound-reducing study pod at the library that reduces sound by up to 75%
Physical Items
- Multi-lingual materials in-library, both Juvenile and Adult
- Multi-lingual materials through Inter-library loans (you will need a valid PRPL library card), available in 149 different languages, both Juvenile and Adult
- English language learn-to-read books, both Adult and Juvenile
- Large print books, both Juvenile and Adult
- Audiobooks, both Adult and Juvenile
- CDs, Adult and Juvenile
- DVDs, Adult and Juvenile
- DVD players
- Victor Readers (also known as DAISY readers) for Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY) audiobooks – please ask at the Service Desk
- Cognitive Care Kits: Contents are based on the DementiAbility Method for caregivers, friends and family supporting people living with dementia. The kits contain a variety of activities, games, and books.
- Magnifying domes and sheets – please ask at the Service Desk
- Daylight Lamps for help with Seasonal Affective Disorder
Digital Items
- Libby by Overdrive offers eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines in 30 different languages
- PressReader allows access to more than 7,000 of the world’s top newspapers and magazines, and magazines in 64 different languages
- Cantook Bibliothèques Numérique: Des livres numériques populaires et classiques et des livres audionumériques canadiens en français. French eBooks and eAudiobooks are available through Cantook
- Mango Languages offers language learning for over 70 different languages
Services
CELA The Centre for Equitable Library Access
CELA provides audiobooks, digital books, print books, digital and print braille books, newspapers, described video, and 150 magazines for people with print disabilities including dyslexia, visual impairment, and the inability to physically manipulate a book. Materials are available in 13 languages. Even if the print disability is temporary, you could be eligible for this service.
Please register for this service online, or by contacting mmerlino@prpl.ca or calling 604-485-4796.
National Network for Equitable Library Service
NNELS offers only digital formats, including audiobook, DAISY, PDF, EPUB, e-text, and electronic Braille.
Please register for this service by contacting mmerlino@prpl.ca or calling 604-485-4796.
Books on Wheels
Are you or is someone you know unable to make it into the library due to illness, injury or another physical challenge? No problem! With an individual’s needs and preferences in mind, Library staff choose items from the Library’s collection of regular print books, large print books, audio books, magazines, DVDs and CDs. Then volunteers deliver the bag of materials to your door once a month. Each month we’ll pick up the old bag and leave a new one. No need to worry about due dates, and the service is entirely free!
Volunteers deliver Books on Wheels to private homes the second Wednesday of every month, between 10 am and noon. Books on Wheels goes to Willingdon Creek Village, Evergreen Extended Care Unit and Kiwanis residences the last Wednesday of every month, between 10 am and noon.
Signing up is easy. Just call Mark at 604-485-4796 or email mmerlino@prpl.ca, or have someone pick up a form from the Library Service Desk.
Books by Mail
Anyone who is sick, has a disability or who just can’t get to the Library easily can register with us to receive books through the mail. This service is available to any resident of Powell River, the qathet Regional District or the Tla’amin Nation.
To register call Mark at 604-485-4796 or email mmerlino@prpl.ca.
Read to Seniors
Volunteers read to seniors in locations throughout the community.
To register call Mark at 604-485-4796 or email mmerlino@prpl.ca.
Write On – Online Creative Writing Group
A fun, creative, and informal online space for writers. Participants receive creativity-sparking prompts each week, write for 20-25 minutes, then share, discuss, and celebrate their writing.
Virtual meetings only, on Fridays from 2-3 pm. Registrants will receive a link by email each week for our virtual meeting space.
To register complete our Online Registration Form or email Mel Edgar at edgar@prpl.ca.
Hybrid Book Club
Our Tuesday Evening Book Club offers both in-person and online participation.
To register call Mark at 604-485-4796 or email mmerlino@prpl.ca.
Other Services
- Free wifi on our public computers
- Fine-free lending of materials (and it’s free for qathet residents to get a library card!)
- Free one-on-one technical help on your laptop, phone, tablet, or other device. To reserve a time please call Mark at 604-485-4796 or email mmerlino@prpl.ca.
- Free public programs and events – check our Program Guide online or ask for a printed copy at the Service Desk
Website
- has Accessibility Preferences enabled, so users can adjust font size, contrast, and other displays to enhance readability.
- adheres to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines(WCAG) that were developed to provide a single shared standard for web content accessibility that meets the needs of individuals, organizations, and governments internationally.
Resources
Local Resources
- Evergreen Extended Care – a 75-bed facility equipped with services and staff devoted to a comfortable living environment.
- Inclusion Powell River – offers services and programs for individuals with developmental disabilities, seniors who want to stay connected, and babies to adults who need extra support.
- LIFT Community Services– works with community partners and people facing barriers in the qathet Region to provide employment, establish sustainable housing, and provide a range of inclusive, supportive services.
- Powell River Brain Injury Society – provides support, education and advocacy for persons living with an acquired brain injury, their family, friends and caregivers through goal specific, unique and innovative programming.
- Powell River Senior Citizens Association Branch 49 – promotes the physical, social and mental well-being of all seniors in the qathet area, and promotes volunteerism within the senior community.
- qathet Community Justice – facilitates conversations at no charge to help restore relationships where conflict or crime has caused harm. They support participants in developing meaningful responses to harmful actions.
- Special Olympics BC – Powell River – enriches the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities through sport.
- Strive Community Living – a multi-service, non-profit agency offering services to children, youth, and adults with varying degrees of ability and individualized needs across Southern BC.
- Trans qathet – provides peer-to-peer support in the qathet Regional District for gender diverse and trans people, and their allies.
- Willingdon Creek Village – 102 bed facility offering 24 hour care with wheelchair- accessible rooms, on-site nursing, health care aids, recreational therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and a dietician.
BC and Canada Resources
- abilities.ca – A wealth of Canadian-based information on everything from arts to employment to sexuality. Includes a directory of online Canadian resources on disability.
- Aide Canada – Canada’s largest resource hub for content catered to the autism and neurodivergent communities, including a collection of over 6000 books on autism.
- AMI– A media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through the offering of relevant original content, including livestreamed podcasts.
- CNIB: Canadian National Institute for the Blind – Research, information and assistance for those with vision loss. Their library now includes many electronic books.
- Community Living BC – Support for adults with developmental disabilities, autism and FASD
- Developmental Disabilities Association (DDA) – Information about their programs and opportunities for those with autism spectral disorder (ASD), cerebral palsy, Downs’ Syndrome and many other developmental disabilities, and their caregivers.
- Disability Alliance BC – Advocacy, programs, education, news and links to other BC and Canadian resources
- Dyslexia BC – Advocacy and support for individuals with dyslexia and related language-based learning disabilities
- Family Support Institute of BC – Supporting families who have a family member with a disability.
- Neil Squire Society – Assistive technology and innovative programs and services for those with physical disabilities.
- Trans Care BC – connects trans people, their loved ones and clinicians with information, education, training and support.