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Braille and Talking Book Library
The California State Library loans braille, cassette and talking books, magazines and playback equipment to northern Californians unable to read conventional print.
Search the Braille and Talking Book Library Catalog
Announcing the electronic version of our quarterly newsletter, BTBL News
Who Can Use The Service
Californians who meet the following federal criteria can borrow material:
If your visual acuity, as determined by competent authority, is 20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting lenses, or your widest diameter of visual field subtends an angular distance no greater than 20 degrees.
If you are physically disabled as follows:
- If your visual disability, with correction and regardless of optical measurement, is certified by competent authority as preventing the reading of standard printed material.
- If you are certified by competent authority as unable to read or unable to use standard printed material as a result of physical limitations.
- If you are certified by competent authority as having a reading disability resulting from organic dysfunction and of sufficient severity to prevent their reading printed material in a normal manner.
In cases of blindness, visual disability or physical limitations, "competent authority" is defined to include doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, ophthalmologists, optometrists, registered nurses, therapists, professional staff of hospitals, institutions, and public or welfare agencies (e.g. social workers, case workers, counselors, rehabilitation teachers, and superintendents). In the absence of any of these, certification may be made by professional librarians or by any person whose competence under specific circumstances is acceptable to the Library of Congress.
What Can Be Borrowed
You may borrow recreational reading materials and magazines on cassette, disc and braille provided by the Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped network. The book collection contains thousands of fiction and nonfiction titles, including classics, biographies, gothics, mysteries, westerns, how-to and self-help guides.
A small collection of locally recorded books of local California interest (including history) is available on cassette.
A limited number of titles is available in other languages besides English, e.g., Spanish, French, German.
Search the Braille and Talking Book Library Catalog
The California State Library Braille and Talking Book Library provides access to narrated downloadable digital audio books for eligible individuals living in California. To browse the catalogue of digital audio books please visit http://unabridged.lib.overdrive.com.
You can also borrow print books on blindness, visual disabilities, and other physical disabilities.
How To Apply For The Service
Northern California Residents
You may contact the Braille and Talking Book Library to obtain a print application form, or download the online application form (PDF).
Braille and Talking Book Library
California State Library
P.O. Box 942837 Sacramento, CA 94237-0001
Hours: 9:30 - 4:00, Monday-Friday.
Phone: 916-654-0640, 800-952-5666
Fax: 916-654-1119
Internet: btbl@library.ca.govSan Francisco Residents
If you are a resident of the city of San Francisco you may receive cassette service from the San Francisco Public Library.
Contact: San Francisco Public Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
100 Larkin Civic Center
San Francisco, CA 94102
Hours: 1:00 - 6:00, Monday, Thursday, Friday
10:00 - 6:00, Tuesday and Wednesday
Phone: 415-557-4253
Internet: lbphmgr@sfpl.lib.ca.usFresno, Kings, Madera and Tulare County Residents
If you are a resident of Fresno, Kings, Madera and Tulare County you may receive cassette service from Fresno County Public Library.
Contact: Talking Book Library for the Blind Fresno County Free Library
770 North San Pablo Avenue
Fresno, CA 93728-3640
Hours: 9:30-5:30, Monday-Friday.
Phone: 559-488-3217, 800-742-1011
Internet: Wendy.Eisenberg@fresnolibrary.orgSouthern California Residents
If you are a Southern California resident you may receive service from the Braille Institute.
Contact: Braille Institute Library Services
741 North Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90029
Hours: 8:30 - 5:00, Monday-Friday.
Phone: (323)-660-3880 or (800)808-2555
Internet: bils@braillelibrary.org
For additional information please read "A Guide to the Braille and Talking Book Service" (pdf) or Contact the Braille and Talking Book Library, (916) 654-0640, email btbl@library.ca.gov.