CELA gives eligible Canadians free access to over 230,000 books in accessible formats — DAISY audio, large print digital, braille, and more. Most people who qualify have never heard of it. Here's exactly how to sign up.
CELA stands for Centre for Equitable Library Access. It's a national service that works through your local public library to provide accessible reading materials at no cost. Think of it as a shadow library system built specifically for people who can't read standard print.
It's funded through Canadian public libraries, so there's no subscription fee, no membership cost, nothing. Your tax dollars already paid for it.
Most people assume CELA is only for blind Canadians. That's wrong. CELA uses the term "print disability," which covers a lot more ground:
You need an active public library card from a Canadian library that participates in CELA. The vast majority of Canadian public libraries do — over 1,100 library systems across the country.
If you don't have one, visit your local library branch or check their website. Most provinces let you register online now. A library card is free.
Visit celalibrary.ca and click "Register." You'll need your library card number and the name of your library system.
The form asks for your name, contact info, library card number, and a self-declaration that you have a print disability. It takes about 5 minutes.
Some library systems handle CELA registration in-house instead. If your library isn't listed on the CELA site, call them directly — they may register you through their own process.
Your library verifies your card, and CELA activates your account. This usually takes 1–3 business days. You'll get an email when you're approved.
Once active, you can browse the CELA catalogue online or through their app. Books are delivered digitally (downloaded to your device) or shipped physically for braille.
CELA isn't just large print. The collection includes:
If you're mainly a large print reader, the DAISY and ePub formats are probably most useful. DAISY audio is excellent if your eyes tire easily — it's the gold standard for accessible audiobooks.
CELA works with several apps and devices:
For most people, the CELA app on a tablet is the easiest path. If you already use a Kindle or Kobo, you can transfer ePub files to your device too.
Three national services offer accessible reading materials. They overlap but have different strengths:
| Service | Collection | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| CELA | 230,000+ titles | Free (via library) | Broadest selection; works through any public library |
| CNIB Library | 80,000+ titles | Free (CNIB membership) | More curated; strong Canadian content; human-narrated audio |
| NNELS | On-demand | Free (via library) | Can request specific books to be made accessible; fills gaps in CELA/CNIB |
Smart move: register for all three. They're all free, and each has titles the others don't. CELA is the largest, CNIB has the best curated Canadian content, and NNELS fills gaps by creating accessible versions on request.
If you are about to call the library and want better wording than “do you have large print?”, use the Library Access Call Prep Sheet first. It helps you figure out whether to ask about CELA, NNELS, home delivery, or a card/PIN rescue.
Getting a library card is straightforward everywhere, but a few provinces have quirks:
No. CELA accepts self-declaration. You check a box confirming you have a print disability. No medical documentation required.
CELA focuses on digital formats. For physical large print books, your best bet is your local library's large print section or other free sources.
Yes. No fees, no catches. It's publicly funded through Canadian libraries. If you have a library card and a print disability, it costs you nothing.
There's no strict limit on digital downloads. You can have dozens of books on your device at the same time. Physical braille loans have limits that vary by library.
Absolutely. A caregiver, family member, or friend can help with registration. The account will be in your name, but someone else can walk through the process with you.
CELA is one of the best-kept secrets in Canadian accessibility. Over 230,000 books, completely free, available to anyone with a print disability and a library card. Registration takes 5 minutes and doesn't require a doctor's note.
If you're spending $30–$40 per large print book, or struggling to find titles at your local library, CELA changes the equation entirely. Combined with provincial assistive device funding for reading devices, accessible reading in Canada is more affordable than most people realize.