As a result of the current economic climate, charitable income has reduced throughout the UK. In 2011 Calibre Audio Library has also seen a decrease in its income and, to ensure continuation of our much valued service, from 1st January 2012 we have decided to introduce a one off £35 administrative fee to new members joining the library. New members joining Young Calibre will pay a reduced single fee of £20. All individual members will continue to enjoy a subscription-free service with no charges for, lost, late or damaged books.

Almost 75% of our 19,000 members enjoy listening to our audio books digitally on MP3 CDs and USB memory sticks. With the falling demand for cassettes, from 1st May 2012, we will be offering digital formats only to new members.

It is important for us to offer our members a range of listening options and we are investigating a downloading service in conjunction with W.F Howes. Members will be able to access around 1,000 titles through this new facility with no additional charge. We also plan to introduce an online internet streaming facility and have recently received a grant towards the set up of this service from the Big Lottery’s Awards for All programme.