Discovering the Magic of Talking Books at the NH State Library

ByJosianne Fitzgerald
Moultonborough Library staff pose with Accesibility Services coordinator Deb Dutcher in front of shelves with large print books at the NH State Library Talking Books Collection.

On May 1, Moultonborough Library staff attended a training session at the New Hampshire State Library’s Talking Books Collection in Concord. This service is a federal program through the Library of Congress and the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), providing free reading materials to U.S. residents who are visually impaired or who have physical disabilities that make reading standard print difficult.

The collection is located in the Dolloff Building on Pleasant Street, where Accessible Services Consultant Deb Dutcher provides oversight of the program. The facility houses a significant collection of large-print books, funded in part by a $60,000 bequest from a former patron. The library also maintains a variety of Braille books, including picture books suitable for all ages.

The Talking Books are specialized audio playback devices designed for ease of use. Eligible patrons receive a kit that includes the Talking Book player, an initial cartridge of books, and headphones upon request. The players feature large, color-coded buttons labeled in both English and Braille. For patrons who need assistance, the device can play its own operating instructions out loud whenever a cartridge is not inserted. A print manual is also included.

Patrons have several options for managing their reading materials. They can create specific wish lists of titles and authors, or they can provide their favorite genres and allow library staff to curate a selection for them. These cartridges are delivered and returned via the USPS at no cost to the patron. Large-print books can also be requested and delivered through this same mail-order system.

For more tech-savvy individuals, the BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) mobile app is available. This allows patrons to download audiobooks and magazines directly to their own smartphones or tablets, with a catalog ranging from classic literature to current bestsellers.

The Moultonborough Library is now prepared to assist local patrons in navigating these services. More information is available at www.loc.gov/nls/thatallmayread, by calling the NLS at 1-888-657-7323, or by contacting the Moultonborough Library directly for assistance with the application process.