Royal National Institute of Blind People’s Bookshare service receives its one millionth title 

The Royal National Institute of Blind People’s (RNIB) Bookshare service has added its millionth title, with a number of children’s authors championing the service in celebration of the milestone.

The Bookshare website provides books, worksheets and resources for downloading in accessible formats, including electronic braille, PDF and audio, free of charge to teachers, pupils and students.

All the titles have been donated by 1,046 publishers and are currently used by 45,087 students at 12,647 nurseries, schools and universities. 

The RNIB declined to name the millionth title because, a spokesperson said, the organisation did not want to "prioritise publishers".

Jacqueline Wilson, whose books Double Act, Funny Girls and The Lottie Project (Yearling) are available on RNIB Bookshare, said: “I’m delighted my titles are on RNIB Bookshare which now has one million leisure and educational titles available for children and young people with print impairments in accessible formats.”

Author SF Said, whose book Varjak Paw (Corgi Children’s), is one of the most downloaded titles on RNIB Bookshare, said: "The books we love when we’re young change our lives forever. Every single child should have access to books, and to the life-changing stories contained within them. That’s why I believe RNIB Bookshare is a vital service—one that is helping all children to have the chance to share the love of reading."

David Clarke, RNIB’s chief operating officer, added: “I am delighted that RNIB Bookshare has reached this incredible number of one million titles. This means more children and young people are getting support with their learning and are able to do this alongside their sighted classmates. I know from my own experience as a student how vital it is to have materials available in formats other than print and this extends to my love of reading books for pleasure too.

“We are so grateful to the many publishers with whom we work to make all this happen and look forward to continued working and the further expansion of RNIB’s Bookshare Service."

In June 2021, Penguin Random House UK donated all of its audiobooks to RNIB’s library. Meredith Adams, social impact manager, inclusion, at Penguin, said: “Everyone deserves the chance to fall in love with reading and so we are delighted to make Penguin titles available for free to visually impaired readers through RNIB Bookshare. 

“Making high-quality books affordable and accessible has always been part of our business and we’re proud to partner with Bookshare to remove barriers to reading. RNIB Bookshare is a brilliant way for publishers to connect their stories to visually impaired readers and build their learning and confidence, whether they’re reading a favourite old story or the new book everyone is talking about.”