The Library of Congress
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
National office address:
1291 Taylor Street, NW
Washington, DC 20011
202-707-5100
202-707-0744 (TDD)
202-707-0712 (Fax)

Find Braille and Talking Books

The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), [link opens in new window]Library of Congress, administers the Braille and Talking Book Library Service, a free program that loans recorded and braille books and magazines, music scores in braille and large print, and specially designed playback equipment to residents of the United States who are unable to read or use standard print materials because of visual or physical impairment.

Local cooperating libraries throughout the United States mail NLS audiobooks, magazines, audio equipment, braille books, and braille magazines directly to enrollees at no cost. If you or someone you know is interested in receiving Talking Books, please click here to fill out a request form. Talking books and magazines and braille publications are delivered to eligible borrowers by postage-free mail and through a network of cooperative libraries. Religious publications include: Bibles, Other Scriptures, Liturgies, and Hymnals in Special Media.

Search the NLS catalog for braille and talking books, braille and large print sheet music, digital books, maps, and more.

Update:

On March 1, 2007, the National Library Service announced that C-1 and E-1 cassette players would no longer be produced. This gradual phase-out of cassette technology will make way for the production and distribution of digital talking books and players.

During the digital transition, NLS will continue to circulate and repair cassette book machines through the year 2011 until the digital transition is complete.