We have a range of accessible Library resources to support and accommodate people with accessibility needs. Use the arrows below to find out more about each collection.
You can find out about the accessible facilities in our Libraries on the Council Website.
Bag Books: Multi Sensory Story Packs
What is a Bag Book?
Bag Books are multi-sensory books for people with severe or profound and multiple learning disabilities. These stories consist of a few lines, with every line being accompanied by some form of sensory element such as something to touch, smell, a sound or physical interaction with the story teller. The stories are told through voice and emotion rather than words and pictures.
The stories are designed to be used at home by a parent or carer. Each storyboard also contains a link to a film where you can watch an example of the story being told.
What does a Bag Book look like?
The stories are in a large box with a handle. They are made up of a collection of objectives to help tell the story. There isn’t a book, instead there are laminated instructions and an A3 storyboard.
Where can I borrow a Bag Book?
The Bag Books are stored centrally but can be reserved and delivered to the most convenient library and you will be contacted when it is ready for collection.
Bag Books can be borrowed for 3 weeks.
Who can borrow a Bag Book?
- Holders of a Rainbow Resource Scheme card
- Early years practitioners and settings, childminders, children’s centres, or toddler groups, for use with children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
- Adults with special educational needs and disabilities
Which Bag Books are available?
Kofi & the Magic Shaker | Cobbson, Chris Santo |
He’s a winner | Martinez, Nina |
Little seed | Tsirkas, Magdalene |
Band rehersal | Baker, Sophie |
Fairground | Baker, Sophie |
Lost in London | Baker, Sophie |
Museum mystery | Baker, Sophie |
What am I? | Cummings, Stuart |
C.J. the library cat | Wolstenholme, Carole |
Uninvited guests | Fuller, Chris |
Andre’s night out | Fuller, Chris |
Gran’s visit | Fuller, Chris |
Desmond | Fuller, Chris |
There are also ideas on the Bag Books website about DIY stories where the story teller can gather items themselves, probably objects that they already have or that can be obtained cheaply.
For more information about Bag Books please see the Bag Books website.
Story Sacks: Story Books with Extra Literacy Development Materials
What is a Story Sack?
Story Sacks are fun, interactive storytelling resource. They include props, activities and stories, and are designed to stimulate literacy and language skills.
Using Story Sacks in early years settings will help with:
Language & Literacy Development
Behavioural Modelling – sharing, taking turns, listening
Engaging with words and stories
Learning through play and interactive engagement
Building confidence to react to stories
What does a Story Sack Look like?
They are in a large cloth bag containing a popular children’s book with interactive storytelling aids (puppets, soft toys etc.) and games. They can be used with one child or with a small group.
Story Sacks can be borrowed FREE by members of Bath & North East Somerset Library Service that are also:
- Early Years Practitioners
- Childminders
- Early Years Settings (Pre Schools, Nurseries)
- Children Centres
- Toddler groups
- Rainbow Resource Card holders
- Individuals training in early years work
To find out more about how you can borrow a Story Sack, please speak to a member of staff.
Where can I borrow a Story Sack?
We have Story Sacks in Bath Central Library, Keynsham and Midsomer Norton Library and Information Services.
They can be reserved into any of our core libraries, Mobile Library and Community Run Libraries and borrowed for 3 weeks.
Which Story Sacks are available?
Anything’s possible | No Room For Roo |
Bad-tempered ladybird | Old MacDonald Had A Farm |
Big red bath | Owl Babies |
Do your ears hang low? | Peace At Last |
Farmer Duck | Ring The Flamingo |
Handa’s surprise | Shaun The Shy Shark |
If only | Teddy Takes A Tumble |
Itchy bear | The Animal Boogie |
Jack and The Beanstalk | The Gruffalo |
Journey home from Grandpa | The Scarecrow Who Didn’t Scare |
Little Red Hen | There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly |
Little Red Riding Hood | The Very Hungry Caterpillar |
Messy Martin | We All Went On Safari |
Mrs Rainbow | Winnie Wagtail |
Books in Braille for Children
We have a selection of Children’s books in Large Print and Braille. Please ask staff for more information.
Bookstart Additional Needs Packs
BookTrust is the UK’s largest reading charity. As well as Bookstart Baby, Toddler and Pre-schooler packs, BookTrust also offers the following packs for children with additional needs:
- Bookstart Shine for children who are deaf
- Bookstart Touch for children with a visual impairment
- Bookstart Star for children with conditions affecting their fine motor skills
All the packs are free to parents and carers of children aged 0-5 years. We have a limited number of packs available at our libraries for families to have and you can ask staff for more information.
As the local BookStart Coordinator, we also provide packs to other local organisations such as Childrens Centres to gift to families.
Sensory Spaces at Bath Central, Keynsham, and Midsomer Norton Libraries
We have Sensory Spaces in Bath Central, Keynsham, and Midsomer Norton Libraries. The Sensory Spaces are free to use, and all have:
- sensory lighting and toys
- a giant beanbag
- a comfy rug and cushion area
- a blackout tent
Each room has an accessible guide with photographs and descriptions of what you will find inside. You can view or download this in advance, or there will be a copy available in the room.
The spaces are open to all to use and we particularly welcome families and small groups of children and young adults with sensory needs. Children need adult supervision, so please book the room for all adults and children.
You can book these spaces on Eventbrite.
Sensory Explorer Bags
We have borrowable Sensory Explorer bags for use at Bath Housing, Welfare and Advice Services, Bath Central, Keynsham, and Midsomer Norton Libraries and on the Mobile Library.
The bags are free to use in our spaces, and all contain:
- a guide to the library
- sensory/fidget toy(s)
- ear defenders
Borrow a bag from the main desk and return after use. Use the guide to familiarise yourself and child or young person with the space and explore using the fidget aids and ear defenders to improve the visit.
Reminiscence Packs for Those with Dementia
What is a Reminiscence Pack?
Our Reminiscence packs are collections of pictures, with information about the image, on a theme. They are designed to spark memories and discussion points. We create many of these packs ourselves so they feature images and themes from the local area.
Talk to staff about borrowing the packs.
Which Packs Are Available?
1968 Floods: Keynsham & the Chew Valley | Roman Baths: in and around them |
Bath Shopping | Royalty and Bath Schools |
Bath Suffragettes | Colleges & Universities |
Coal: from pit to fireplace | The 1940s |
Floral Bath | Transport |
Grow your own: from spade to plate | Twerton |
Jubilee: People | Valentine’s Cards |
Pub and Hotels | Weather effects |
Railways and Trains | Weddings |
Reading Well Books on Prescription for Wellbeing
‘Reading Well: Books on Prescription’ is a national scheme to help you manage your health and wellbeing through self-help reading. Topics include anxiety and depression, eating disorders, phobias, panic attacks and sleep problems.
These books are shelved with health books and have a distinctive sticker on the spine.
Find out more abut the scheme on the Reading Well Website.
Quick Reads to Make Fiction Accessible
‘Quick Reads’ is a national scheme to produce condensed and straight-forward versions of popular novels for adults, designed to improve literacy and make fiction more accessible.
Find out more on the Quick Reads Website
Dyslexia-Friendly Books
We have dyslexia-friendly books for Adults, Young Adults and Children. These books use fonts, spacing and paper colour to make them easier to read.
Ask staff for more information.
Accessible Guides for those with Sensory or Learning Impairments
We have accessible guides to each of our locations and sensory rooms. You can see them all on our Accessible Guides page.
Our Accessibility Statement
The Accessibility Statement for this site explains its functions and limitations, and how to contact us if you would like to raise an issue.