Talking Book Program
Mammen Family Public Library is a demonstration site for the Texas Talking Book Program (TBP), a free library service for people who cannot read standard print due to a visual, physical or reading disability, whether temporary or a lifelong need. The library has a sample Talking Book Machine, informational materials, and applications available!
What is the Talking Book Program?
TBP is a division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Since 1931, TBP has participated as a regional library of the National Library Service for the Blind and Printed Disabled (NLS), a division of the Library of Congress.
TBP serves approximately 25,000 readers by processing between 8,000 and 10,000 books on an average weekday. In previous years, TBP circulated over 850,000 books and magazines to its readers, with an average monthly circulation of 71,000 titles. Readers vary in age from very young children to seniors over 100!
Who Qualifies for the Talking Book Program?
Qualified patrons include Texas residents of all ages that posess one or more of the following disabilites in the long or short term:
- An individual who is blind.
- An individual who has a visual impairment that makes them unable to comfortably read standard print books.
- An individual who has a physical disability that makes it hard to hold or manipulate a book or to focus or move the eyes as needed to read a print book.
- An individual who has a perceptual or reading disability.
How do I apply for the Talking Book Program?
Interested individuals can complete the Talking Book Program Individual application which must be signed by a authorized professional and can be accessed by CLICKING HERE. Those needing assistance with the application can schedule a Book a Librarian! appointment (CLICK HERE) to work with an librarian to complete the application.
Visit the Talking Book Program website to learn more about this program, and the additional tools and resources they provide as this is just a small snapshot of the program!
