Long Island Talking Book Library

  FAQs for Prospective Borrowers

[bullet] What are talking books?

Talking books are books that have been professionally recorded onto audiocassettes by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), which is a part of the Library of Congress. LITBL is one of about 150 libraries in the country that lend these books to eligible individuals in their communities.

[bullet] Who is eligible for this service?

Any Long Island resident who cannot hold, handle, or see well enough to read regular print books because of a visual or physical disability is eligible for this service. There are no specific age requirements, although talking books are not appropriate for infants and babies.

Under federal law, individuals who have problems reading or understanding English, or who have cognitive impairments such as mental retardation, are not eligible for this service unless they also have a qualified visual or physical disability.

[bullet] Can nursing homes, schools or other institutions borrow talking books?

Certainly, as long as they are used only by eligible individuals in these institutions. The amount of equipment available for institutions is limited; please see the NLS fact sheet on service to institutions for more information.

[bullet] What kinds of talking books are available?

The LITBL collection of over 95,000 books includes best sellers, mysteries, histories, romances, biographies, travel books, current events, how-to books, children's books, and even books in foreign languages. They are the same kinds of books you would find in a public library, except they have been recorded. Talking Book readers can also subscribe to over 90 different popular magazines in special formats. LITBL does not have textbooks.

[bullet] How do you play talking books?

Talking Books can only be played on special equipment, which is lent at no charge to eligible individuals who actively use our program.

This equipment is also available for purchase from various commercial sources for individuals who prefer to have their own equipment, or for those who do not use our program, such as schools and students who require the machines for textbooks only.

[bullet] How do you borrow talking books?

Talking books are lent to readers by postage-free mail, and are returned the same way. They may also be picked up and returned at any public library on Long Island, or at our office in Bellport.

[bullet] How do readers know what books are available?

Each reader receives an annual catalog in large print, recorded, or computer disk format. In addition, each reader receives a catalog of newly available titles every other month. LITBL staff can also search for specific books by author, title or subject on their computertized catalog. To access the online catalog click here.

[bullet] How can I apply for talking books?

Application forms and additional information are available from every public library in Suffolk and Nassau Counties as well as from many doctors, optometrists, and organizations that serve people with disabilities. They may also be obtained by contacting LITBL directly.

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