The Talking Books Library loans Braille and audio books and magazines, along with a player, FREE by mail to persons who have difficulty reading or using printed books and other materials because of blindness, or visual, physical, or reading disabilities. An outreach service of the Miami-Dade Public Library System and the Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, the Talking Books Library serves all of Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. Referrals are available to other Talking Book libraries nationwide.
Braille Literacy
Learning to read and write Braille is considered the key to literacy for persons who are blind or have very low vision. The Talking Books Library provides materials in Braille, including books, magazines and print/Braille picture books for younger readers and their families. Print/Braille board and picture books are also available in the Miami-Dade Public Library System’s collection, and children’s programs in Braille are offered in library branches.
What are Talking Books?
Full-length, unabridged books on cassette tapes or in Braille available for loan to eligible readers.
Over 2500 new titles added per year, appealing to a wide variety of reading interests, including current bestsellers, mysteries, romances, westerns, literary fiction, history, science, psychology, and inspiration.
Over 70 current magazine subscriptions available on cassette tapes or in Braille.
Materials for all age interests, beginning with pre-school.
Books and magazines on cassette tapes available in Spanish, along with selections in other languages.
Special tape players are required to read Talking Books on cassette and are provided free on loan by mail.
Who is eligible?
Any United States resident of any age who meets the following criteria:
Legal blindness.
Visual disability that makes it difficult to read or use standard printed materials; large print readers are also eligible for Talking Books service.
Physical disability that makes it difficult to hold a book or turn pages.
Reading disability.
Institutions that serve eligible individuals.
For persons who are blind or have visual or physical disabilities, eligibility must be certified by a doctor, nurse, social worker, or other authority.
For reading disabilities, only doctors of medicine or osteopathy can certify eligibility.
Eligibility criteria for Talking Books service is established by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress.
What does this service cost?
All services are FREE - including the loan of books, magazines, a special cassette tape player, and all postage.
How do I register?
Call 305-751-8687 or 1-800-451-9544 for information and an application form, or
Anyone can search the online catalog. Registered Talking Books patrons can place book requests online. Call 305-751-8687 or 1-800-451-9544 for an ID and password.
Talking Books Library catalogs are also provided in large print, cassette, Braille, and computer diskette.
Staff is available to discuss reading preferences and assist with book selection.
Submit book and magazine requests to the Talking Books Library by mail, telephone, fax, email, online catalog, or by visiting us.
Talking Books and magazines are mailed directly to readers' homes, postage free.
