Braille and Talking Book Library
Important COVID-19 Announcement
To help reduce the spread of COVID-19 virus, facial coverings are strongly recommended inside the Library. If you have questions, please call us at 1-800-226-6075 or email us at OPAC_Librarian@dbs.fldoe.org. Thank you and please stay safe and healthy.
Summer Reading 2022
We are gearing up for another wonderful summer reading program at the Braille and Talking Book Library. Please visit our Summer Reading 2022 Page for dates, details, and how to register! You don't want to miss out on this summer's fun activities!
About the Library
The Florida Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library provides information and reading materials in Braille and recorded audio format to Florida residents who are unable to use standard print as the result of visual, physical, or reading disabilities.
Since 1950, the bureau has been designated by the Library of Congress, National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), as the regional library for Florida. In addition, ten subregional libraries provide local services to residents of metropolitan areas. Reading materials are sent to and from customers via postage-free mail and all services are provided free.
The Florida Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library is the largest library of its kind in the U.S. with a collection of more than 2.4 million items in Braille and audio format. The Library serves more than 31,647 Florida residents with annual loans exceeding 1.99 million items.
Library Services
The Florida Braille and Talking Book Library offers a wide range of services:
- Books are offered in Braille and recorded formats for all ages and include bestsellers, classics, mysteries, biographies, westerns, poetry, history, and other subject areas commonly represented in public library collections. Materials are available in English and many other languages.
- Magazines are sent to customers on a subscription basis and include more than 100 popular titles such as "Southern Living" and "Sports Illustrated."
- Equipment needed for the service is loaned to customers by the Library, including digital players and accessories.
- Books are also accessible from the Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) website using personal devices such as iPhones,iPods, Android devices, Victor Streams, and BrailleNotes.
- Catalogs are mailed bimonthly to inform customers about new books and magazines added to the collection. Recorded book customers usually receive Talking Book Topics, while Braille readers most often subscribe to Braille Book Review. These catalogs are used to select and order reading materials. A complete book catalog is also available at the NLS Web site.
- Music materials, such as scores and musical textbooks in Braille and large print, are available directly from NLS.
- Print and audiovisual materials on the subjects of blindness, disability, and rehabilitation are available for research and public education.
- Access to NFB-NEWSLINE across many devices. NFB-NEWSLINE is a free audio news service for anyone who is blind, low-vision, deafblind, or otherwise print disabled that offers access to more than 500 publications, including national and state newspapers, magazines, and breaking news sources. Patrons of the library can contact their reader advisor at 1-800-226-6075 to register.
Recording Studios
- The Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library Services in Daytona Beach
- Insight for the Blind in Ft. Lauderdale
- Brevard Association for the Advancement of the Blind in Satellite Beach
Subregional Libraries
Brevard County Talking Book Library
- Street Address
- 308 Forrest Avenue
- Cocoa, FL 32922-7781
- Telephone Numbers
- Main: (321) 633-1810
- E-mail Address
- talkingbooks@mylibraryworld.com
- Hours of Operation
- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday to Friday)
- Counties Served
- Brevard County
Lee County Talking Book Library
- Street Address
- 1651 Lee Street
- Fort Myers, FL 33901-2916
- Telephone Numbers
- Main1: (239) 995-2665
- Main2: (239) 533-4780
- Toll-free In-state: (800) 854-8195
- E-mail Address
- talkingbooks@leegov.com
- Hours of Operation
- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday to Friday)
- Counties Served
- Lee County
Broward County Talking Book Library
- Street Address
- 100 South Andrews Avenue
- Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1826
- Telephone Numbers
- Main: (954) 357-7555
- TDD: (800) 955-8771
- E-mail Address
- talkingbooks@broward.org
- Hours of Operation
- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Monday to Friday)
- Counties Served
- Broward County
Jacksonville Public Library Talking Books (Duval County)
- Street Address
- Jacksonville Public Library
- 303 North Laura Street
- Jacksonville, FL 32202-3505
- Telephone Numbers
- Main: (904) 255-2665
- E-mail Address
- JPLTBSpecialNeeds@coj.net
- Hours of Operation
- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Monday to Friday)
- Counties Served
- Duval County
Pinellas Public Library Cooperative (Pinellas and Sarasota Counties)
- Street Address
- 1330 Cleveland Street
- Clearwater, FL 33755-5103
- Telephone Numbers
- Main: (727) 441-9958
- E-mail Address
- talkingbooks@pplc.us
- Hours of Operation
- 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Monday to Friday)
- Counties Served
- Pinellas and Sarasota Counties
Miami-Dade (and Monroe County) Talking Book Library System
- Street Address
- Miami-Dade Public Library System
- 2455 NW 183rd Street
- Miami Gardens, FL 33056-3641
- Telephone Numbers
- Main: (305) 751-8687
- Toll-free (In-state): (800) 451-9544
- E-mail Address
- talkingbooks@mdpls.org
- Hours of Operation
- 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday to Friday)
- Counties Served
- Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties
Orange County Talking Book Library
- Street Address
- Talking Book Section
- 101 East Central Boulevard
- Orlando, FL 32801-0000
- Telephone Numbers
- Main: (407) 835-7464
- E-mail Address
- talkingbooks@ocls.info
- Hours of Operation
- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Monday to Friday)
- Counties Served
- Orange County
West Florida Public Library, Braille and Talking Books (Escambia County)
- Street Address
- 239 N. Spring Street
- Pensacola, FL 32502-4825
- Telephone Numbers
- Main1: (850) 471-6000
- Main2: (850) 494-7373
- E-mail Address
- talkingbooks@mywfpl.com
- Hours of Operation
- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Tuesday to Friday)
- Counties Served
- Escambia County (no longer serving Santa Rosa County)
Palm Beach County Talking Book Library
- Street Address
- Palm Beach County Library Annex
- 4289 Cherry Road
- West Palm Beach, FL 33409-9808
- Telephone Numbers
- Main: (561) 649-5486
- Toll-free (In-state): (888) 780-5151
- E-mail Address
- talkingbooks@pbclibrary.org
- Hours of Operation
- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday to Friday)
- Counties Served
- Palm Beach County
The Florida Braille and Talking Book Library
- Telephone:
- 1-800-226-6075
- Email:
- OPAC_librarian@dbs.fldoe.org
- Counties Served-
- We are the Regional Library for the state, and serve patrons in all counties not listed above.