| About Nevada Talking Book Services |
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WHAT IS THE LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND OR TALKING BOOKS? The Nevada Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped are part of the Library of Congress' National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) network of libraries providing services to blind, visually or physically handicapped individuals. Books and magazines are available on cassette, disc or in Braille. Recorded books and magazines and special playback equipment are loaned to eligible readers free of charge. All reading materials are sent to and returned by readers through postage-free mail. The Regional Library in Carson city also provides reference and information services about sources of spoken-word recordings, special format materials, Braille instruction and other resources available to individuals unable to use regular print materials. WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THESE SERVICES? Anyone temporarily or permanently unable to see or hold print material is eligible for library services for the blind. eligibility includes certification as "legally blind," visually or physically impaired, and reading or learning disabled. An application form must be completed and signed by a professional trained in the evaluation of visual or physical handicaps such as a doctor of medicine, optometrist, physical therapist, etc. Nearly 23,000 Nevadans are estimated to be visually impaired and eligible for Talking Books. In FY 1999, the Nevada Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped served over 2,938 eligible readers. WHAT TYPES OF BOOKS AND MAGAZINES ARE AVAILABLE? Talking Books cover a large variety of popular adult reading interests. The collection of recorded books available is similar to that of any public library. It includes bestsellers, mysteries, westerns, science fiction, romances and biographies for all ages. Books in foreign languages and reference books are also available. Readers may request specific titles and authors or they may ask the librarian to select books for them based on their reading interests. Readers can also choose from over fifty popular magazines recorded on disc, cassette or in Braille. Nevada's collection of talking books includes over 60,000 titles and more than 109,000 copies. Over 325,000 titles are available through interlibrary loan on the NLS national network of libraries. In FY 1999 over 117,000 books were circulated to eligible Nevadans. DO I NEED SPECIAL EQUIPMENT? The recorded books must be played on special machines designed specifically for this use. Several different playback machines and accessories are available to adapt the machines to an individual's needs. These machines play cassette tapes and phonograph records slowly to allow more material on each recording. Once an application has been received the library sends a talking book cassette and disc player. WHERE CAN I GET Braille BOOKS? The Nevada Talking Book Services contracts with the Utah State Library to provide Braille books to eligible Nevadans. These books are loaned through postage-free mail directly to the reader. An application is required to receive this service. WHERE DOES ALL THIS COME FROM? NLS contracts for the manufacture of the Braille and recorded books and magazines and the special playback equipment and accessories. NLS provides the administrative support to coordinate the network of regional and subregional libraries around the nation. Nevada Talking Book Services, as part of the Nevada State Library and Archives, coordinates services statewide. The Regional Library is the circulating library for the northern part of the state, and loans playback machines statewide. The Subregional Library is the circulating library for Clark, Lincoln, Nye and Esmeralda counties. WHERE DO I SIGN UP? For an application or more information contact:
Nevada Talking Book Services Toll-free in Nevada: 1-800-922-9334 |