Tip of the Month – Accessing Audiobooks

21st October 2026

As the colder months approach, we are turning our minds to indoor activities that we can do while wrapped up in a cosy blanket, such as diving in to a good book. One common concern that we hear when people start to experience sight loss is losing the ability to enjoy reading comfortably and independently. Depending on your condition and your personal preference, lighting, magnification and reading techniques can help you continue to read. However another option that’s available is audiobooks.

There are a number of services that provide access to a wide variety of audiobooks in the format that work best for you.

Library Services

Norfolk County Council have been working to incorporate more accessible options in libraries across the county. This includes growing the supply of large print texts in local libraries, but it also includes digital access to resources through the Libby App. Libby offer a range of electronic audiobooks that library members can download free of charge, with no reservation or overdue charges. All you need is a library card. These can be accessed on your computer, smartphone, tablet or eBook reader. Norfolk County Council also has a system called BorrowBox that works in a similar way, allowing you to download electronic audiobooks on a tablet, smartphone or PC using the BorrowBox app.

RNIB

RNIB offers a Talking Books Service which is available to anyone who is registered as sight impaired. It gives users access to over 40,000 fiction and non-fiction books for adults and children in a range of formats, including audiobooks. RNIB Talking Books are now available on Alexa enabled devices, plus USB memory sticks and CDs as well as in downloadable digital formats for portable devices.

Calibre

Calibre Audio is a national charity providing a collection of over 15,000 audiobooks for anyone who finds it difficult to read print. The Calibre audio library has books available to download or in the post on a USB memory stick. Services cost £3 a month or £30 a year.

Vision Norfolk Audiobook Clubs

If you are interested in discussing your favourite books, getting introduced to new titles or simply having a place to meet and socialise with other book fans with vision impairment, Vision Norfolk runs audiobook clubs across Norfolk.

All books are supplied for free on USB drives and we can help supply a USB reader if you don’t have one.

Vision Norfolk Audiobook Clubs:

Cromer Audiobook Club – Cromer Library, 3rd Monday of each month, 2pm-3:30pm
Dereham Audiobook Club – Conservatory Room at The George Hotel, 3rd Wednesday of the month, 10:30am–12pm
Diss Audiobook Club – Diss Library, 4th Friday of the month, 2pm-3:30pm
Fakenham Audiobook Club – Fakenham Library, 3rd Monday of the month, 10:30am–12pm
Gaywood Audiobook Club – 1st Thursday of the month, Gaywood Library, 2pm–3:30pm
Great Yarmouth Audiobook Club – Great Yarmouth Library, Last Friday of the month, 1:30pm–3pm
Hunstanton Audiobook Club – Hunstanton Library, 3rd Tuesday of the month, 10:30am – 12pm
Norwich Audiobook Club – Vision Norfolk Norwich Hub, 2nd Monday of the month, 1:30pm–3pm

Beyond our book clubs, Vision Norfolk has a small supply of audiobooks on CD available to our service users. For more details or to get involved please contact Mark on 01603 573000 ext. 341 or [email protected].

Happy reading!

If you would like to discuss which audiobook options might work best for you or want help setting up an account with any of these services or learning how to use any of the related technology, Vision Norfolk is able to help you over the phone, in one of our community hubs, or in your home. Please give us a call on 01603 573000.