Guest Author - Carla Ruschival
Residents of Minnesota 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.
The Minnesota Library has purchased some commercially-produced digital books called Playaways. Playaways are self-playing digital books and do not require a separate player. Simply plug in headphones and listen. More information about the Playaway collection is located in the Books section under the What is Available tab on the library website.
In addition to the national collection, the Minnesota library has collections of described movies from Descriptive Video Services, or DVS, and large print books that are available for loan to Talking Book patrons. The library may also have volunteer-produced books about the state or use interlibrary loan to make audiobooks and other commercially-produced materials available to their patrons.
To find out more and request an application, call the library (see contact information below). Request and complete the application and start reading today!
Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library
388 SE 6th Avenue
Faribault, MN 55021-6340
Telephone: (507)333-4828
Toll-free (In-state): (800)722-0550
FAX: (507)333-4832
Email the Minnesota library or visit their website
