Residents of California who are blind and visually impaired or who cannot read print because of a physical disability can receive braille or audio books and magazines through the mail, free of charge.

People who cannot see to read a regular print book or who cannot manipulate a book because of arthritis, paralysis, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, or chronic fatigue syndrome, or who have a reading disability such as dyslexia qualify for services. They may borrow audio Talking Books or braille books through special libraries that are part of a Library of Congress program called the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS).

All kinds of books are available, from mysteries to fantasies to biographies to cookbooks to children's books. Thousands of titles are in the collection for every reading taste. Magazines are also available in braille and on tape.

The patron can call his or her Talking Book Library and ask for books, or a reader advisor can select books for him. Books are sent through the mail free of charge, and when the patron is finished with them, they are returned, again postage-free. Magazines do not need to be returned.

Some Talking Book libraries in California use volunteers to record books about the state or books by authors from the state. Be sure to ask about these special titles available on free loan.

Some Talking Book libraries have acquired a collection of popular audio-described movies for adults and children; give the library that serves your area a call to find out if it has these movies for loan.

NLS libraries may use interlibrary loan to make audiobooks and other commercially-produced materials available to their patrons. Be sure to ask your Talking Book library how to access this service free of charge.

The California State Library Braille and Talking Book Library provides access to narrated downloadable digital audio books for eligible individuals living in California. Browse the catalog of digital audio books.

You can also borrow print books on blindness, visual disabilities, and other physical disabilities. Ask your librarian for details.

To find out more and request an application, call the library that serves the county in which you live (see contact list below). Request and complete the application and start reading today!

Braille and Talking Book Library
California State Library
P.O. Box 942837
Sacramento, CA 94237-0001
Telephone: (916)654-0640
Toll-free (In-state): (800)952-5666
FAX: (916)654-1119
Email the Sacramento library or visit their website

Serves: Northern California


Braille Institute
Library Services
741 North Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90029-3594
Telephone: (323)663-1111 and (323)660-3880
Toll-free (In-state): (800)808-2555
TDD: (323)660-3880
FAX: (323)663-0867
Email the Braille Institute library or visit their website

Serves: Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties


Talking Book Library for the Blind
Fresno County Public Library
Ted Wills Community Center
770 North San Pablo Avenue
Fresno, CA 93728-3640
Telephone: (559)488-3217
Toll-free (In-state): (800)742-1011
TDD: (559)488-1642
FAX: (559)488-1971
Email the Fresno library or visit their website

Serves: Fresno, Kings, Madera, and Tulare counties


Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
San Francisco Public Library
Civic Center
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Telephone: (415)557-4253
FAX: (415)557-4375
Email the San Francisco library or visit their website

Serves: San Francisco