Capability Scotland’s Advice Service has a small lending library which is available to anyone who lives or works in Scotland and has an interest in disability issues, including carers.

To borrow books you must first become a member, this just involves completing and signing a form (to comply with data protection legislation).

You can search their catalogue online:

go to: www.shelcat.org
check that the left hand tab [Sheltcat home] is selected for Quick Search
ensure that <all SCLD libraries> is selected in the ‘Libary to search’ box at the bottom
(if not, then click > Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability at bottom right
If you know e.g. the Title words or Author of the work you are seeking, then enter them in the <type word or phrase> box, and select the relevant field
Otherwise, type in the word or phrase you are seeking in the <type word or phrase> box, and select All fields or Subject in the field box

Or you can phone, email or write to them:.

The Advice Service
Capability Scotland
11 Ellersly Road
Edinburgh
EH12 6HY

Telephone: 0131 313 5510
Textphone: 0131 3462529
Fax: 0131 346 1681
Email: advice@capability-scotland.org.uk
Web: www.capability-scotland.org.uk

They can post their resources to anywhere in Scotland, but return postage is payable by the borrower.

Example case studies:

Karen borrowed some resources to use with her 8 year old son who has ADHD to help him try to understand his condition. She said “Sam really enjoyed reading the books as he thought the character in the book was just like him.”
Margaret’s daughter has cerebral palsy and was starting school. Margaret wanted the school to talk to the other pupils about disability, so she borrowed a resource pack from the library which includes a game, story books and a video to use with groups of children.
Alan works with disabled adults and children with complex needs and borrowed a resource which could help him in his work. He borrowed My right to play, a child with complex needs by Robert J. Orr and said “this book was very helpful and interesting – I have recommended it to my colleagues”.

To join, please contact Lorna Thompson at Capability Scotland, by any of the contact means given above.