Talking Books Library

A woman reads a Braille book while sitting in the grass in front of her home

#Talking Books and Braille

Do you have difficulty reading or using printed books?

The Talking Books Library loans audiobooks and magazines, along with a player, FREE by mail to persons who have difficulty reading or using printed books and other materials because of blindness, or visual, physical, or reading disabilities. 

Talking Books Library customers can also request Braille books for free.

What are Talking Books?

Talking Books are full-length, unabridged books on digital cartridges (or in Braille) available for loan to eligible readers of all ages and interests, beginning with pre‑school. The Talking Books collection includes current bestsellers, romance, and mystery novels, literary fiction, non‑fiction such as science and history, print/Braille books for young readers, and over 70 current magazine subscriptions.

Once you are registered, you can also apply for BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download). Digital materials may be downloaded at no cost directly to a smartphone or tablet or transferred from a computer to a USB drive (to be played on a Talking Books player).

The iOS and Android mobile apps, known as BARD Mobile, include built-in playback capability so you can enjoy talking books anytime, anywhere.

A man holds a smartphone with X-BARD player showing on the screen 

Eligibility Requirements

Any United States resident of any age who meets one of the following criteria is eligible for Talking Books services. The eligibility criterion is established by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress.

  1. Legal blindness.
  2. Visual disability that makes it difficult to read or use standard printed materials*.
  3. Physical disability that makes it difficult to hold a book or turn pages.
  4. Reading disability (such as dyslexia).
  5. Institutions that serve eligible individuals.

*Large Print readers are also eligible for Talking Books services.

Please note: For persons who are blind or have a visual or physical disability, a doctor, nurse, social worker or other authority must certify eligibility. For persons with a reading disability, only doctors of medicine or osteopathy can certify eligibility.

Cost

All Talking Books services are free—including the loan of books, magazines, a special digital player, and all postage.

Registering

To register with Talking Books, you must fill out the application form and have it certified for eligibility.

To get an application form:

Mail or bring the completed application to the Main Library (303 Laura St. N, Jacksonville, FL 32202). For alternative formats of the application form, please contact us.

Ordering Materials

The Talking Books catalog is available online at the Florida Bureau of Braille and Talking Books Library and in large print, audio, and Braille format. Staff is available to discuss reading preferences and assist with book selections.

When you enroll, you can either:

  1. Choose daily, weekly, or monthly delivery of materials chosen by library staff (based on your reading interests)
  2. Choose specific titles by requesting a large print or recorded catalog. A catalog is also available online at flopac.klas.com 

To help library staff make better selections, you may update your reading interests at any time.

Registered Talking Books customers can request specific books and magazines:

  • Via the Florida Online Catalog with their ID and password
  • By mailing, calling, or e‑mailing Library staff

Contact our Interlibrary & Accessibility Services Department

The Florida Relay Service (711) is available on all standard telephones.

More Accessibility Options

The Library has many technologies and services available to assist the visually impaired, hearing impaired, those with sensory sensitivities, and others. Please visit our Accessibility and Assistive Technologies page to learn more about requesting accommodations at public programs, Sensory Kits, our Curbside Pickup service, magnifiers, video relay systems, and more. 

 

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Get Library Materials Delivered to Your Home

If you or someone you love are unable to come to the Library due to disability or illness, Jacksonville Public Library now offers a FREE service that delivers books and other library materials to Duval County residents via the United States Postal Service.

Available materials include regular print books, large print books, audiobooks on CD, magazines, music CDs and DVDs. Note: We are unable to send Traveling Tales Kits or lendable technology (such as Chromebooks or hotspots) through the mail.

3 Ways to Apply for Books by Mail

  1. Complete the online Books by Mail Application
  2. Contact us by phone at (904) 255-2665.
  3. Request a paper application be sent to you (or someone you know) in the mail.

Learn more at jaxpubliclibrary.org/booksbymail.

 

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