Borrow audio books and magazine for free

The National Library Service (NLS) for the Blind and Physically Handicapped is now providing eligible folks with free books on tape. Through the Library of Congress, this organization offers free Braille and recorded materials to special readers who have seriously poor vision or some other physical problems. This free program covers several needs for those handicapped individuals.

What services are available?

First, books and magazines in audio form and Braille are available. When borrowing free books or magazines, a blind person can also get specially designed cassette players without being charged. For those who have significant hearing loss, they can apply for an amplifier. Yet another benefit provided by this special program is that all these services are postage-free.

Audio books and Braille magazines

In detail, the program can provide different kinds of materials. Audio books offered by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped are the same as that from public libraries. These audio books cover fields such as classic, science fiction, mysteries, romances, standard religious works and some foreign language materials. There are also magazines in Braille and audio formats and Spanish audio and Braille materials.

Who are candidates for these free services?

This special library only accepts special candidates. One target group is individuals who have 20/200 visual acuity or less in the better eye with correcting lenses. And those whose widest diameter of visual field subtends an angular distance no greater than 20 degrees are also covered. It is necessary to point out that all these visual measurements should be done by competent authority.

Only American citizens can be entitled

In addition, those who are physically handicapped and individuals in residential care facility or retirement home are also eligible. Until now, this program does not cover foreign citizens. Only American residents are entitled, including the several states, territories, insular possessions and the District of Columbia.

NLS kids zone

In particular, the National Library Service keeps a kids zone. It is possible for preschool through grade 8 to borrow audio, Braille and print books from this program, which now maintains a national network of cooperating libraries. On its website, parents can type author’s last name or full name, complete title or just keyword to search for favorite books for their children. Both fiction and nonfiction materials are available.