About Your Florida Braille and Talking Book Library Service

an open book

Welcome to the library! Our goal is to offer you educational, entertaining, and enriching materials. In this packet, you will find helpful information about our services, how they work, and how to access valuable resources available through our network of libraries across the state. We hope you enjoy our services.

Audio Version of this Guide for New Clients

Download Braille Version of this Guide

Account Number

You have been assigned a unique number that helps us identify you as a patron of our services. This unique identifier begins with 999 and appears on every mailing card we send you. It helps us connect you to your account and library materials.

Cost

Library services are free to patrons.

Books

We loan audio or braille books on cartridge. Hard copy braille books are also available.

National Library Service

The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) is a division of the Library of Congress. NLS provides the equipment and most of the magazines and books that we loan to you.

Regional and Subregional Libraries

The Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library in Daytona Beach is the regional library for the state of Florida. You may contact us by dialing 1-800-226-6075, or you may email us at opac_librarian@dbs.fldoe.org.

Nine subregional libraries serve larger metropolitan areas in the state. If your county is not listed, the regional library serves your account.

The counties listed below are served by their respective local libraries, with contact information provided:

Reader Advisors

When you call the library you can talk to a Reader Advisor, who will assist you with your account, such as ordering books or replacing equipment.

Talking Book Players and Braille Ereaders

Machines are on extended loan while you use our service. Please save the box and all packing materials when your new player arrives. If your machine breaks or no longer works well, please call the library that services your account or the regional library at 1-800-226-6075 and ask to speak with a Reader Advisor. If your machine is still working, please keep it until the replacement arrives and return it afterward.

Equipment Accessories

Equipment accessories are available to patrons who need them to use their talking books. The accessories we offer include:

If you need any of these accessories for your machine or a High-Volume Player, please call the library that services your account or the regional library and ask to speak with a Reader Advisor.

Books: How to Order

Each title in our collection has a unique number, which is listed in our catalogs with the title and description of the book. Book numbers begin with two letters: DB or BR. DB stands for Digital Books. BR indicates a book in braille format. Using the book number is preferred when ordering.

There are many ways to order your books:

Auto-Select

This computer program automatically selects books for you based on your preferences. Our application lists popular genres for you to choose which are added to your account, and during your orientation with a Reader Advisor, you will discuss other preferences, such as favorite authors, book series, a favorite narrator, or language.

We can also add exclusions to your preferences if there is content you do not like. You can change your preferences at any time.

If you wish to select your own books, we encourage you to keep a long list so that you can receive books regularly.

Magazines

Many different titles are available in braille and audio formats. All audio magazines received by mail must be promptly returned to continue receiving future issues.

To start a subscription to a magazine, call the library that serves your account and speak with a Reader Advisor.

Book Delivery

Our system is called Duplication on Demand. All book requests and selections will arrive on one easy-to-manage cartridge. Magazines are sent on separate cartridges.

Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) 

If you provided an email address during registration, you may already have an account with the Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) service from NLS.

You can immediately access the entire collection when you download the free BARD Mobile App from the Apple Store or Google Play. Using the BARD Mobile App, you can download your selections to an iPhone, iPad, iPod, or Android device. You may download books directly from the internet to your computer using BARD Express and save them to a flash drive or a cartridge for your Digital Talking Book Player. You can download books and magazines directly to a third-party device like a Victor Reader Stream or BrailleNote.

If you do not have a BARD account, call your library and provide your email address to have one created. Once approved for BARD, you will receive a link to create a password.  

How Many Books?

We can customize the number of titles on each cartridge sent to you on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly rotation. Each patron has a maximum number of cartridges (5) that can be checked out at one time. Once you reach this number, you will not receive more books until at least one is returned.

Returns

You must return the audio and braille items and equipment you receive from the library. Turn the mailing card over, and the library's address will be on the reverse side of the mailing card. The statement "Free Matter for the Blind and Physically Handicapped" in the position where the stamp would be placed allows you to mail the item at no cost. Postal carriers are required to deliver the materials to you, but they are not required to pick them up from your house; you may need to take your return items to the post office or place them in a US Postal Service drop box. If you encounter problems, please call the library and talk with one of our Reader Advisors.

Address Changes

If you move, please call the library and let us know so you can continue receiving your library materials. We also need to know about changes in your telephone number and email.

Vacation

If you will be away from home briefly, please call the library and ask a Reader Advisor to stop your service temporarily. If you plan to be gone for several months, we can change your address so your library materials will be sent to your temporary address. When you return from vacation, please call the library to restart your service or change back to your local address.

Damaged or Defective Cartridges

If a cartridge is damaged or defective, please put a string or rubber band around the cartridge and replace it in the book container. Call the library that services your account and request a replacement if you want another copy of your order.

Refused Mail

If you refuse mail from the library, we will deactivate your library services if we cannot verify your address. We will make three (3) attempts to contact you to verify your information before your account is suspended.

Cancelling Service

If you want to stop your library service, please call your servicing library. All equipment and library materials must be returned. If you have the original shipping box and mailing card, pack the machine back in the box; turn the mailing card so that the library’s address shows, and tape the card in the plastic window so that it will not fall out. If you do not have the original box, any appropriate size box will do. We can send you a postage-paid label so you can return the equipment at no cost.

Touch and Listen Newsletter

Touch and Listen, the bureau-wide newsletter, is biannually produced in the Spring and Fall and includes all the latest library news. You can subscribe to receive it by email, hard copy braille, large print in English or Spanish, or by audio in either language. It is also available on our website https://dbs.fldoe.org/Library/. If you would like to subscribe, please contact a Reader Advisor and let them know which format you would prefer.

Outreach

If you are part of a group or organization who does not know about the services of the Florida Braille and Talking Book Library, please call 1-800-226-6075. We would be happy to talk or set up a meeting to discuss our services.

Volunteers

Volunteers make a difference for our service and readers who cannot utilize standard print. We are always looking for new volunteers. Please call the library that services your account or the regional library at 1-800-226-6075 to learn more.

Friends of Library Access

The Friends of the Library Access, Inc. is a non-profit corporation established to assist the Braille and Talking Book Library and a network of cooperating libraries by purchasing and donating supplies and equipment for various projects. They also help with public education and outreach efforts. Visit their website at www.friendsoflibraryaccessinc.org if interested in learning more.

More Information

If you have questions, please call the library that services your account or the regional library and speak to a Reader Advisor. We are here to help you get the most from your library services.

Sincerely,
Reader Services, Florida Regional Library

Our mailing address is:
FL Braille & Talking Book Library
421 Platt Street
Daytona Beach, FL 32114

Email: opac_librarian@dbs.fldoe.org

Return to top of page

DISCLAIMER: Links on the Florida Division of Blind Services (DBS) website that are directed toward websites outside the DBS, provide additional information that may be useful or interesting and are being provided consistent with the intended purpose of the DBS website. DBS cannot attest to the accuracy of information provided by non-DBS websites. Further, providing links to a non-DBS website does not constitute an endorsement by DBS, the Florida Department of Education or any of its employees, of the sponsors of the non-DBS website or of the information or products presented on the non-DBS website.