Eligibility

The South Carolina State Library's Talking Book Services department provides informational and recreational reading materials in accessible formats. The program serves South Carolinians unable to use conventional print due to the following: individuals who cannot hold book or turn pages due to physical disabilities; that cannot see standard size print due to visual impairment or blindness; who have temporary disabilities due to injury, illness, or surgery; or who have physically-based learning disabilities. South Carolina institutions or agencies providing service to clientele with qualifying disabilities also qualify for service.

South Carolina residents (all ages and income levels) unable to read or use standard print materials as a result of temporary or permanent visual or physical limitations are eligible for this service. Blindness is not the only qualifying condition. Even those with low vision due to problems such as macular degeneration, are eligible. Physical conditions such as missing arms or hands, lack of muscle coordination, or prolonged weakness are qualifying conditions when their result is an inability to hold a book or turn pages. Persons with physically based, medically certifiable reading disabilities (such as dyslexia), and institutions serving clientele with qualifying conditions are also eligible.

Application Information

To obtain services, individuals and institutions must submit an application form. The form must be must be submitted with the signature of a certifying authority and mailed to the library. Certifying authorities include- but are not limited to- medical doctors, optometrists, registered nurses, rehabilitation teachers, or licensed social workers. Applicants with reading disabilities must submit certification by a medical doctor only. By federal mandate, an actual signature must be received before an application may be processed. We are unable to accept applications electronically. Applications may also be obtained from local public libraries or by calling the South Carolina State Library at 1-800-922-7818 or 803-734-4611 (in Columbia). We contact applicants when completed applications are received.

• Individual Talking Book Services Application
• Institutional Application (Schools, Nursing & Medical Facilities)
• Annual Student Listing Form for Schools