Recorded Books

Over 70,000 recorded general fiction and non-fiction books are offered. Books are available for adults, young adults and children. Textbooks are not available from Talking Books Service (TBS).

Talking Books Services provides the free loan of specialized playback equipment designed for use by blind, visually impaired, and other readers with qualifying disabilities.

Large Print Books

More than 20,000 titles, including popular fiction and non-fiction, are available from in Large Print.

BARD

Talking Books Services patrons can access BARD, our online downloading service. BARD allows registered patrons to directly download copies of Talking Books at home to be used on an NLS player or approved compatible devices.

To use BARD, you must have access to the following: An NLS digital player or an authorized purchased player; an up-to-date computer with high-speed internet service; an active, valid email address; and a USB flash drive or purchased blank cartridge. Only registered TBS patrons can apply for and use BARD.

Magazines

A variety of popular magazine subscriptions are available at no charge to eligible patrons. Magazines are available in large print; in cassette and digital formats; and as BARD downloads.

Descriptive Videos

Descriptive Videos are available for patrons who are blind or have low vision. A narrator describes action, characters, locations, costumes and sets without interfering with the dialogue or sound effects. TBS has both VHS videocassettes and DVDs available.

Braille

Braille is available to qualified patrons through interlibrary loan from a cooperating Braille library.

Access to Web-Braille

Web-Braille is the National Library Service's system for distributing Braille books via the Internet. More than 8,000 grade 2 Braille books are available for download or online use by eligible individuals and institutions with Braille embossers, refreshable Braille displays, and other Braille-aware devices. Additional titles are being added on a regular basis. Users provide their own equipment, must have an e-mail address and access to the Internet. Print/Braille and grade 1 Braille books are not included. A user ID and password are required to use Web-Braille. To obtain them, contact the library at 1-800-922-7818 or e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Assistive Devices

Assistive devices are available for in-house use at the State Library to aid readers who cannot use conventional text. These devices include:

• Closed Circuit Television which magnifies text up to 60 times its original size.
• Zoomtext® magnifies computer screen images up to 16 times their original size.
• JAWS® for Windows reads aloud information on a computer screen.
• OpenBook® scans a printed page and reads the text aloud.
• Adaptive Devices, including a larger, more easily-managed mouse; keyboard guards to guide hands in typing; touch screen computer monitor; and wheelchair accessible desks are available.

If you have any questions concerning the Talking Books Services collections, please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call toll-free, 1-800-922-7818