Guest Author - Carla Ruschival
Residents of New Jersey 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, 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, 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 asks for 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 by mail, but do not need to be returned.
The New Jersey Library for the Blind and Handicapped in Trenton serves patrons throughout the entire state. Several public libraries partner with the Trenton library, acting as service centers to bring local walk-in service to other cities. Service centers have small collections of cassette players and recorded books.
The New Jersey library in Trenton has a sizable collection of video-described movies that may be borrowed by eligible patrons. The library also operates the Audiovision Radio Reading Service, which can be heard over special radio receivers and on the Internet.
The Trenton library may use interlibrary loan to make audiobooks and other commercially-produced materials available to patrons, and digital books may be downloaded for use with notetakers and MP3 players.
Contact the Trenton library to obtain an application or request books. Locate the service center near you to walk in to borrow books or exchange equipment.
New Jersey Library for the Blind and Handicapped
P.O. Box 501
Trenton, NJ 08625-0501
Telephone: (609)530-4000
Toll-free (In-state): (800)792-8322
TDD: (800)882-5593
FAX: (609)530-6384
Email the Trenton library or visit their website
Burlington County Service Center
Burlington County Library
5 Pioneer Blvd.
Westhampton, NJ 08060
Telephone: (609)267-9660 X3037
fax: (609)267-4091
Visit the Burlington County library website
Essex County Service Center
Bloomfield Pubic Library
90 Broad Street
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Telephone: (973)566-6200 x225
Visit the Essex County library website
Gloucester County Service Center
James H. Johnson Memorial Library
670 Ward Drive
Deptford, NJ 08096
Telephone: (856)848-9149
fax: (856)848-1813
Middlesex County Service Center
Woodbridge Free Public Library
George Frederick Plaza
Woodbridge, NJ 07095
Telephone: (732)634-4450 x303,
fax: (732)634-2052
Visit the Middlesex County library website
Monmouth County Service Center
Monmouth County Library
1001 NJ Highway #35
Shrewsbury, NJ 07701
Telephone: (732)842-5995
fax: (732)219-0140
Visit the Monmouth County library website
Mounmouth County Service Center
Mounmouth County Library
125 Symmes Dr.
Manalapan, NJ 07726
Telephone: (732)431-7223
Morris County Service Center
Morris County Library
30 East Hanover Avenue
Whippany, NJ 07981
Telephone: (973)285-6983 x208
fax: (973)282-6965
Visit the Morris County library website
Ocean County Service Center
Ocean County Library
101 Washington Street
Toms River, NJ 08753
Telephone: (732)269-5850
fax: (732)341-6698
Visit the Ocean County library website
Warren County Service Center
Warren County Library
199 Hardwick St.
Belvedere, NJ 07823
Telephone: (908)475-6322
audiovision radio reading service
