TALKING BOOK SERVICE

Talking book machines are available for Hamilton and Clermont county residents through the Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired. In late 2009, the National Service Library (NLS) for the Blind and Physically Handicapped began allocating its new Digital Talking Book Machines, which will eventually replace the analog cassette machines which are still in use. This allocation process will occur over a four-year period.

Talking book machines are loaned free of charge to persons who are legally blind, visually impaired, physically disabled or print impaired. Facilities serving these individuals may also apply for machines. Equipment is provided at no cost for as long as the individual needs it. All materials are mailed postage free at all times.

Books are recorded by professional narrators and transferred to cassettes or digital flash memory cartridges. Braille books are also available for download through the NLS Web-Braille service. Talking books are available for download through the NLS-BARD (Braille & Audio Reading Download) service. More than two thousand new titles are added to the collection each year.

All reading materials (except for textbooks) are distributed by the Ohio Library for the Blind & Physically Disabled, 17121 Lake Shore Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44110-4006. Phone: 1-800-362-1262

The talking book program was established more than 70 years ago as a service of the Library of Congress to give access to print materials for persons who cannot see to read, are unable to handle print books or turn pages because of a physical disability or who have a reading disability.

For further information on the talking book machine program, email us at info@cincyblind.org or contact the talking book machine coordinator at 513-487-4225.