Latest titles in braille, audio, and in foreign languages

Get the latest books faster online through Talking Book Topics, Braille Book Review, and the Foreign Language Quarterly.

Photograph of C1 cassette player with 90th anniversary image overlay

Celebrate the 90th Anniversary of NLS

Check out the latest “Historical Perspective” on the surprising afterlife of the NLS C-1 cassette player.

Jason Broughton is NLS's new director

Learn more about Jason Broughton, the new director of NLS, and the mission of NLS to ensure that all experience the joys of reading.

NLS at the Library of Congress

What's new at NLS

National Library Service (NLS) is a free braille and talking book library service for people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical, perceptual, or reading disability that prevents them from using regular print materials. Through a national network of cooperating libraries, NLS circulates books and magazines in braille or audio formats, that are instantly downloadable to a personal device or delivered by mail free of charge.

Got a question for an NLS librarian? Our reference section can help you dive deeper into one of our reference publications or answer questions related to NLS service. Email [email protected] for help.
Learn more about BARD and other online services [PDF] and how you can sign up for BARD to download books and magazines instantly. Want assistance getting started? Get help with BARD and NLS equipment.

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ENROLLMENT AND EQUIPMENT

Sign up to use NLS services. Learn how to receive equipment and materials through the mail and register for online downloads.

BRAILLE AND AUDIO READING MATERIALS

Locate a book, magazine, or musical score. Search the NLS catalog and learn how to acquire special-format materials from many sources.

RESOURCES

Find a wealth of referrals. Learn about sources of assistive technology, education, employment advice, and more.

ABOUT

Learn what we do and why. Explore the past, present, and future of NLS.