- What is NLS?
      - When did the program begin?
      - May I use NLS?
      - Who can certify people as eligible?
      - Are people with reading disabilities eligible?
      - Is the program available to people who are illiterate or who are learning English as a second language?
      - How long does it take for an individual to begin receiving service after submitting an application?
      - May I get talking books from my public library?
      - Does it cost anything to use the program?
      - How are materials received from and returned to the library?
      - What kind of device is needed to play talking books?
      - What is the difference between the standard digital talking-book machine and the advanced digital talking-book machine?
      - Can books or magazines be downloaded from the Internet?
      - May I get books or magazines on my personal smartphone or tablet?
      - Is there a special device to help people who are hard of hearing?
      - How are books selected?
      - Where are the books recorded?
      - Are books recorded by volunteers?
      - How can I become a reader/narrator?
      - Are magazines available through the NLS program?
      - Do you have large-print books and other materials?
      - Does your program offer music?
      - How can I access the music collection?
      - At what age can a child start using talking books?
      - Can people use the program if they are in residential care facilities or retirement homes?
      - Are textbooks available?
      - Are other resources available for accessible material?

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      - What is NLS?  NLS is a free braille and talking book library service for people who are blind or have a visual, physical, perceptual, or reading disability that prevents them from reading or handling print materials. Through a national network of cooperating libraries, NLS offers books the way you want them: in braille or audio formats, instantly downloadable, or mailed to your door for free. NLS works to ensure  that all may read  by providing eligible patrons access to NLS materials regardless of age, economic circumstances, or technical expertise.
      - When did the program begin?  The free library service was established by an Act of Congress in 1931 to provide blind adults with books in an embossed format. The Act was amended in 1934 to include sound recordings (talking books), expanded in 1952 to include children, in 1962 to provide music materials, in 1966 to include individuals with physical limitations that prevent reading regular print, and in 2016 to allow NLS to loan refreshable braille displays.
      - May I use NLS?  Any resident of the United States or American citizen living abroad who is unable to read or use regular print materials as a result of temporary or permanent visual or physical limitations may receive service through NLS. This includes those who are blind, have a visual disability, have a reading disability, or have a physical disability that prevents reading.  Learn more about eligibility .
      - Who can certify people as eligible?  Eligibility must be certified by one of the following: doctor of medicine, doctor of osteopathy, ophthalmologist, optometrist, psychologist, registered nurse, therapist, or professional staff of hospitals, institutions, and public or welfare agencies (such as an educator, social worker, case worker, counselor, rehabilitation teacher, certified reading specialist, school psychologist, superintendent, or librarian).
      - Are people with reading disabilities eligible?  Yes. Individuals are eligible if a certifying authority determines that their perceptual or reading disability prevents them from reading regular print materials.
      - Is the program available to people who are illiterate or who are learning English as a second language?  Individuals who do not have a visual or physical disability are not eligible to use the service. Public libraries are an excellent source of information about local literacy and English-language programs.
      - How long does it take for an individual to begin receiving service after submitting an application?  The goal of network libraries is to send playback equipment and an initial shipment of books within five working days of receiving a properly certified application.
      - May I get talking books from my public library?  Services are provided directly by a regional or subregional library of the NLS network. Some public libraries do have small collections of NLS-produced talking books for eligible users. Check with the regional library in your state to determine if there is a talking-book collection at a public library near you.  Find a Library  to locate a talking-book library in your area or call 1-888-NLS-READ.
      - Does it cost anything to use the program?  No. The program is tax-supported by federal, state, and (where appropriate) local government or private agencies. There is no direct cost to eligible readers.
      - How are materials received from and returned to the library?  There are two ways to receive materials from the library: through downloading from the Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) website and/or through the US Postal Service. Books and magazines, in both braille and audio formats, can also be downloaded from BARD and read using a personal or NLS-supplied refreshable braille display, an NLS digital talking-book player, a commercial digital player, or the BARD Mobile application for iOS or Android devices. Books, magazines, and equipment that are sent to readers through the US Postal Service as "Free Matter for the Blind" may be returned the same way. Materials are sent by a network library with a removable address card that, when turned over and reinserted, will show the library’s name and address for return mailing.
      - What kind of device is needed to play talking books?  Talking books require the use of a specialized mobile reading app or playback device. NLS formats render the books unusable by the general public, a requirement under the U.S. copyright law to protect intellectual property while allowing NLS patrons free use of the material. iOS and Android smart devices may be used to play the talking books. NLS also makes available two types of digital players for free: a standard model and an advanced model. Some commercially available players are NLS-compatible. If NLS equipment is not being used for reading recorded material provided by NLS and its cooperating libraries, please return the equipment to the issuing agency.
      - What is the difference between the standard digital talking-book machine and the advanced digital talking-book machine?  The standard digital talking-book machine has eight controls and provides basic functionality for the playback of talking books, including volume and tone control, rewind and fast forward, and variable speed. The advanced digital talking-book machine has additional controls for setting bookmarks and navigating through the structured levels (chapters, sections, etc.) of a book. Both machines can be operated on a built-in rechargeable battery and have an internal audio user guide, as well as a key describer mode.
      - Can books or magazines be downloaded from the Internet?  Yes. Registered patrons may download electronic files of braille books, magazines, and music materials, as well as digital talking books and magazines from the Internet through the NLS  Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) online site  or using the BARD Mobile app, available for both iOS and Android. The app allows for direct playback from within the device. Materials downloaded to a computer using BARD can be transferred to a digital cartridge or USB drive and then played on the digital talking-book machine or one of several commercial players. Patrons must have access to a high-speed Internet connection to use BARD.
      - May I get books or magazines on my personal smartphone or tablet?  Yes. The free BARD Mobile app is available for your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and your Android smartphone or tablet (including Kindle Fire) so you don’t need special equipment to read. Registered patrons may download electronic files of braille books, magazines, and music materials, as well as digital talking books and magazines. BARD Mobile is available at the App Store for iOS and the Play Store and Amazon Appstore for Android. You may be charged for data depending on your carrier’s plan.
      - Is there a special device to help people who are hard of hearing?  Yes. NLS has developed a high-volume version of the digital talking-book machine for use by patrons who are hard of hearing. The high-volume player, which is paired with a headset, is available as a standard or advanced machine that has been programmed to have an amplified volume up to 120 dB. It can be issued only by NLS and bears a warning label. The high-volume feature works only with the set of stereo headphones that NLS provides. <!--It may be requested through the  Application and Certification for High-Volume Player and Headphones [PDF: 1.97 KB / 4 p.] , which must be signed by a physician or audiologist.-->
      - How are books selected?  NLS selects the same types of books that are available through public libraries. Titles are considered for production in braille or audio format when favorably reviewed in reputable nationally distributed publications or included in authoritative bibliographies. NLS strives to provide classics and informational readings, along with popular recreational works that appeal to children, young adults, and older readers. Science fiction, mysteries, romances, and Westerns are represented, as well as bestsellers, standard religious works, and some  international-language materials . Books of local or regional interest are generally produced by network libraries.
      - Where are the books recorded?  NLS talking books are recorded by professional narrators in the studios of contractors who bid each year on book production. These contractors are usually nonprofit organizations that also provide other products and services for people who are blind, visually impaired, or have a physical disability. NLS maintains a recording studio in its Washington, DC, office in order to keep abreast of current recording technology. This studio records approximately one hundred titles per year.
      - Are books recorded by volunteers?  Most of the talking books produced for the national collection are recorded by contractors in commercial studios. However, a wide variety of volunteer-produced books and magazines are also available.
      - How can I become a reader/narrator?  Production studios awarded NLS contracts recruit and hire professional narrators. Many network libraries and other agencies use volunteer readers to record materials. Please search the  network library  page for a local library near you or the  Directory of Producers of Reading Materials  for more information.
      - Are magazines available through the NLS program?  Yes. Magazines are available in braille and audio formats. Criteria for the selection of periodicals are the same as for books. Selection librarians also consider whether the periodicals reflect a balance of current thinking in the various fields represented, have high interest and demand, are representative in their points of view, and provide recreational as well as informational reading. There are also several locally produced magazines.
      - Do you have large-print books and other materials?  NLS does not produce large-print books, however, large-print books are available from many public libraries and bookstores, and some NLS network libraries have large-print collections. Please refer to  Materials in Large Print  for selected sources of large-print materials for purchase or loan. NLS does make musical scores available in large print.
      - Does your program offer music?  NLS does not offer music for listening, but offers musical scores and books in ebraille, braille, and large print (sometimes known as bold note), and recorded instructional materials for learning to play various musical instruments. Music appreciation materials are also available.
      - How can I access the music collection?  Anyone currently registered with an NLS cooperating library that serves individuals who are blind or have a physical disability qualifies to receive music services and should contact the  NLS Music Section  directly. Other eligible individuals may sign up for service by completing the  *Application for Library Service: Individuals*  (available at  www.loc.gov/nls/ ) and returning it to their cooperating library or to the NLS Music Section. Once an application is approved, patrons will be contacted by their library and may contact the Music Section to begin receiving service.
      - At what age can a child start using talking books?  Books in the collection begin at the preschool level. Parents may contact their  local network library  and consult the reference publication  Resources for Parents of Blind and Low-Vision Children .
      - Can people use the program if they are in residential care facilities or retirement homes?  Yes. Eligible patrons may receive direct individual service in care of the facility. If the establishment has a deposit collection, they may use these materials without signing up to receive direct individual service. Direct individual service is always available, and ensures that readers receive materials that they specifically want to read.
      - Are textbooks available?  Special academic needs should be discussed with a  local network library  and educational authorities. Please  email the Ask A Librarian team  for information about such sources and about other resources available for  individuals with reading disabilities .
      - Are other resources available for accessible materials?  NLS offers  informational publications on other resources for accessible materials  and  local network libraries  may offer their own resources for more accessible materials. The following selected catalogs may also be useful:   Royal National Institute for the Blind Catalogue   www.rniblibrary.com*External*   The Royal National Institute for the Blind Library is the largest of its kind in the UK, with over 60,000 items in the collection, and its catalogue is a gateway to the entire collection for audio, braille, and music materials.   Louis   http://louis.aph.org *External*  The American Printing House for the Blind currently houses a database called the Louis, a database of accessible materials for people who are blind or visually impaired. Louis contains information about tens of thousands accessible materials, including braille, large print, sound recordings, and computer files from over 170 agencies throughout the United States.

A one-page FAQ information sheet is available for download and printing.

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