Guest Author - Carla Ruschival
Residents of Louisiana who are blind and visually impaired or who cannot read print because of a physical disability can receive braille, large print 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, chronic fatigue syndrome or other physical disabilities, 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 through the national collection, 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 calls the Talking Book Library and requests books, or a reader advisor selects 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 are also sent through the mail, but do not need to be returned.
In addition to the national collection, the Louisiana library has volunteer-produced books and magazines about the state, and it may use interlibrary loan to make audiobooks and other commercially-produced materials available to patrons. Collections of described movies from Descriptive Video Services, or DVS, are available and may be borrowed by Talking Book patrons.
The Louisiana library serves the entire state. Recorded books are housed on-site, and braille books are borrowed on behalf of patrons from the Utah library.
To find out more and request an application, call the library (see contact information below). Request and complete the application and start reading today!
State Library of Louisiana
Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
701 North Fourth Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802-5232
Telephone: (225)342-4944 and (225)342-4943
Toll-free (In-state): (800)543-4702
FAX: (225)342-6817
Email the library or visit their website
