Residents of Alabama 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.

The Talking Book libraries in Alabama 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.

Some NLS libraries 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.

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!

Alabama Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
6030 Monticello Drive
Montgomery, AL 36130-6000
Telephone: (334)213-3906 and (334)213-3921
Toll-free (In-state): (800)392-5671
FAX: (334)213-3993
Email the Montgomery library or visit their website

Serves: 60 of Alabama's 67 counties; braille readers receive service from Utah



Library for the Blind and Handicapped
Public Library of Anniston and Calhoun County
P.O. Box 308
Anniston, AL 36202-0308
Telephone: (256)237-8501
FAX: (256)238-0474
Email the Anniston library or visit their website

Serves: Calhoun County


Department for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Houston-Love Memorial Library
P.O. Box 1369
Dothan, AL 36302

Telephone: (334)793-9767
TDD: (334)793-9767
FAX: (334)793-6645
Email the Dothan library

Serves: Houston County


Huntsville Subregional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
P.O. Box 443
Huntsville, AL 35804
Telephone: (256)532-5980 and (256)532-5981
FAX: (256)532-5994
Email the Huntsville library or visit their website

Serves: Madison County


Tuscaloosa Subregional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Tuscaloosa Public Library
1801 Jack Warner Parkway
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Telephone: (205)345-3994
FAX: (205)752-8300
Email the Tuscaloosa library or visit their website

Serves: Tuscaloosa County


Library and Resource Center for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind
705 South Street
P.O. Box 698
Talladega, AL 35161
Telephone: (256)761-3237
Toll-free (In-state): (800)848-4722
FAX: (256)761-3561
Email the library at AIDB or visit their website

Serves: Coosa, St. Clair, and Talladega counties