What we can offer you

Reading can be a lifeline for carers and for those they are caring for, including those who have a visual impairment, a mobility difficulty, a physical or mental disability, dementia or are unable to leave their homes unaided.

We have books, DVDs, large print books, and audiobooks on CDs for you to borrow.

You can choose them from your local library, or you can request them online and pick them up from an Oxfordshire Library of your choice. You will need a membership card number and a PIN number to do this, and you can get those from your library.

Check our reading lists on ‘Health and Wellbeing’, which might be of special interest to you or the person you are caring for.

You may also find the following useful:

• reminiscences boxes and bags
• 'pictures to share' books. These are written for use with people with dementia. They include photographs, pictures and words designed to stimulate reminiscence and communication
• Ammonite Press books. Books of photographs on themes, such as the 1930s, with few words
• short story audio books on CD. Ideal for those with short memory and attention spans
• books to help you cope with stress, depression and caring.
• '100 Years Book' and information about Playlist for Life. A playlist of personally meaningful music can help people living with dementia. Available in all libraries.

Use the library catalogue to search for a book

Search the library catalogue for the full range of our materials.

Choose the best library card for you

There are a number of options available. You can choose the card that best suits your needs. A standard adult card allows you to borrow up to 20 books for three weeks. It is free to borrow books but we charge for the hire of audio books and DVDs, and for requests, and we charge for the late return of books.

Other library card options

• An institution card is ideal if you are borrowing for a residential care home and allows you to request books free and to borrow them for up to 10 weeks. You will not pay overdue charges on books or hire charges for audio books. Other audio-visual material, such as DVDs, cannot be borrowed using this card.
• People with disabilities which make reading or holding a normal book difficult can use a card which exempts them from charges for the late return of books, and for the hire of audio books on CD and cassette, and gives free book and audio book requests.
• Our housebound card is for people who cannot leave their homes without assistance and can be used by their carers and helpers. On this card you can borrow up to 30 books and / or audio books and you won’t pay overdue charges. If you don’t have anyone to go to the library for you, we may be able to deliver to your home free of charge through our volunteer Home Library Service.

You can bring groups into the library

If you are a professional carer or activities co-ordinator, you may be able to bring a group of your residents into your local library on a regular basis. Check with the manager of your local library for more details.