Many NLS patrons first heard about our free audio and braille library service from family members, friends, or caregivers.
Maybe you’ve noticed your favorite aunt, who used to read a book every week, is finding it harder now to make out the words. Or you’re helping care for a neighbor who has a neuromuscular disorder and can’t hold a book. Or maybe you have a classmate with dyslexia who struggles to read the books everyone in school is talking about.
You can make a difference in their lives by telling them about NLS—circulating books and magazines in braille or audio formats, that are instantly downloadable to a personal device or delivered by mail free of charge.
Established by Congress in 1931, NLS serves any US resident or American citizen living abroad who has difficulty using regular print materials because of a permanent or temporary visual, physical, or reading disability. Enrolling is easy, and a wide range of professionals can certify an applicant’s eligibility. Proximity to a local cooperating library is not necessary to get the most out of NLS service. Many patrons never visit their network library even to sign up.
Once enrolled, NLS patrons can access books from a collection that rivals any library’s in selection, size, and scope. NLS has books in audio—which we call “talking books”—and in braille for readers of all ages and interests: Bestsellers. Biographies. Romances. Mysteries. Westerns. And lots more.
NLS has a wide range of books for young readers, too, from kindergarten through high school and beyond, including adventure stories, fantasies, animal tales, and popular titles from school reading lists.
Plus, NLS has materials not found anywhere else in audio and braille. Cookbooks, for instance. How-to guides for gardening, knitting, card games, and other hobbies. Travel guides. First aid manuals. Books on health and wellness. The world’s largest collection of music scores and instructional materials for piano, guitar, and a variety of other instruments. And dozens of magazines, too.
In addition, many of our 90-plus cooperating libraries throughout the country circulate large-print books and descriptive videos, sponsor book clubs, organize summer reading programs, and run technology tutorials and other programming.
Patrons with a smartphone or tablet can get books and magazines anytime, anywhere, via BARD—the NLS Braille and Audio Reading Download website—and the BARD Mobile app. Or they can receive books and magazines through the mail, postage-free, from the NLS library that serves their state or community. Easy-to-operate talking-book playback machines are provided, too. Our talking-book cartridges hold multiple books, so patrons can keep reading through winter snowstorms and summer beach vacations. And all NLS talking books can be navigated by chapter, section, or page and played at varying speeds with no loss of clarity.
If you know someone who might be eligible, help them sign up! NLS services are provided through a network of libraries that serve patrons in every state. Call our toll-free number—888-NLS-READ (888-657-7323)—and follow the prompts to be connected to the NLS network library in the state that would serve your family member or friend. Or visit our website—www.loc.gov/thatallmayread—and complete the short Information Request form. Check the box that says, “I am inquiring about NLS services for someone other than myself” and provide their name and the state where they live.
[My father] spent many hours just listening to the cassettes and looked forward to a new adventure with each tape. This has been a great service and I hope it continues for years to come.
— Son of NLS patron
NLS also produces reference materials on a variety of topics related to visual, physical, and reading disabilities, including a compendium of resources for older adults with disabilities and sources of large-print materials. Here are links to some other resources you might find useful:
Resources for Aging Adults and Their Families is designed to assist adults over the age of 55 with disabilities, as well as their caregivers, in handling new physical, psychological, and financial challenges.
Fraud Awareness and Prevention for Older Adults and People with Disabilities contains resources that help individuals and families identify and report financial fraud.
Blindness and Visual Impairment lists information and assistance organizations that provide direct services to people who are blind or visually impaired, including assistance and advisory services, information and referral services, and counseling and employment programs.
Assistive Technology Products for Information Access gathers information about products designed to assist people who have disabilities in accessing printed information. They convert digital text or print into synthetic speech, braille, or enlarged text.
Materials in Large Print presents selected sources of large-print materials free from NLS or other organizations for free, loan, or purchase from other organizations.
Magnifying Devices contains a brief description of different types of magnifiers, their specifications, and functionality, as well as the contact information of the vendors where the devices can be purchased.
Audio Description Resource Guide provides sources of audio description (that narrates or shares information about key visual elements) for television, film, DVDs, and web-streaming services, as well as information on audio-described live performances and tours.
BARD Access shares steps to begin using Braille and Audio Reading Download service and curates information on how to begin using BARD Mobile and BARD Express.
Explore the variety of NLS Informational Publications on issues related to blindness, visual impairment, or physical disabilities, as well as compilations of current resources on many topics of interest to NLS readers and those who provide services to them.