New Patron Information
What You Need to Know About Your Braille and Talking Book Library Service
ACCOUNT NUMBER
You have been given a unique number in our computer which begins with the numbers 999. This number appears on every mailing card we use to send you your library materials and identifies you and your account.
COST
The Braille and Talking Book Library Service is totally free for the patron as it is funded by your state and federal tax dollars.
BOOKS
The materials we loan are books on digital cartridge or in Braille. They are not abridged or changed in any way from the titles you would find in a library or bookstore.
NLS
The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped is a division of the Library of Congress. NLS provides the equipment and most of the magazines and books that we loan.
TALKING BOOK PLAYERS
Please save the box and all packing materials when your new player arrives. If your talking book player breaks or no longer works well, please call the Library at 1-800-226-6075 and request a replacement. If your machine is still working please keep it until the replacement arrives.
EQUIPMENT ACCESSORIES
Are available to customers who need them to use their talking books.
•Headphones are available to any customer who wants to listen to books without disturbing the people around them.
•High volume players with amplified headphones are available and require special verification of hearing loss.
•Pillow Speakers are small speakers that can be placed on a pillow or next to the ear for those readers who are confined to their bed.
•The USB Adapter allows you to use a flash drive more conveniently with your digital talking book player. If you need any accessories for your machine please call the Library at 1-800-226-6075.
BOOKS: HOW TO ORDER
Each title in our collection has a unique number; these numbers are listed in our catalogs with the title and a brief descriptive paragraph about the book. Book numbers begin with two letters, DB or BR. DB stands for Digital Books; these books are on digital cartridges and come in the small blue boxes. BR indicates a book in the Braille format. If you prefer to receive only books you select, we encourage you to keep a long list so that you can receive books on a regular basis.
There are many ways to order your books:
•You can tear out the catalog order forms at the back of a catalog, indicate your selections, put your name and address on the form and send it to us using the address on this booklet.
•You can call us at 1-800-226-6075 and ask to speak with a Reader Advisor and give them your selections, ask for help in selecting titles you would like to read, or start an Auto-Select account.
•You can also send in a handwritten list of books if you feel that your handwriting is legible.
•If you have computer access you can submit your order online at . PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS ARE ON YOUR ORDER.
READER ADVISORS
When you call the Library you can talk to a Reader Advisor, who will assist you with a number of things such as ordering books or replacing equipment.
AUTO-SELECT
This is a computer program which automatically selects digital books for you based on your preferences. When you start this program you discuss these preferences with a reader advisor or we can send you a form listing all the choices available. You can change your preferences at any time. Your preferences can be favorite authors, subjects, book series, a favorite narrator or language. We can also make a preference of things that you do not like as well that will be excluded from your profile.
TALKING BOOK TOPICS
This is a bimonthly catalog of new audio books added to the Library’s collection. Talking Book Topics is available in large print and on digital cartridge. The order forms for the large type edition of Talking Book Topics do not have your name or address printed on them. We suggest that you use a label with your name and address such as a return address sticker. If you subscribe to the audio version of Talking Book Topics (TBT), you will be receiving it on digital cartridge. The order forms for each issue of TBT will arrive separate from the cartridge. If you lose your order form, please contact your local cooperating library to replace it. If you receive the magazine first, hold the cartridge until the order form arrives. You may keep TBT on cartridge for one month after you receive it. Then return the cartridge to its container and mail it back to the producer. Mail the TBT order forms separately to your local cooperating library.
If you send the cartridge back early by mistake, contact your local cooperating library for a replacement. TBT is also available via BARD.
BARD
Braille Audio Recording Download – It is now possible to download books directly from the Internet to read using your Digital Talking Book Player, a third party device like a Victor Reader Stream or Braillenote. Now you can download audio books to an iPhone, iPad, iPod or Android devices using the BARD Mobile App. For more information or instructions, please call the Library.
INTERNET SERVICES
The Library is available on the Internet at If you would like to order your books via the online catalog, please call the library and we will set you up with a username and password. You can also correspond with the library via e-mail by using the address of: .
MAGAZINES
Many different titles are available on loan free of charge through the Library and from NLS and they are available in both Braille and audio formats. Now that all audio magazines are being produced in digital format, they must be promptly returned so that you will continue receiving future issues.
•Audio titles available from NLS are listed in the Talking Book Topics; Braille titles available from NLS are in Braille Book Review.
•Magazine anthologies are also available by subscription: Senior Living, Women’s Interests, Men’s Interests, General Interests, Literary/Historical/Cultural, and Spanish Language. Each anthology cartridge contains a number of individual magazine titles and issues, ask your Reader Advisor for the current schedule and listing.Please return the magazine cartridges to avoid possible interruption of service.
•Magazines are also available via BARD in both audio and Braille formats; these do not have to be returned to the Library.
•To start a subscription to a magazine available through NLS, call the Library at 1-800-226-6075. Please note that it may take 6 to 8 weeks to start or cancel a magazine subscription.
BRAILLE BOOK REVIEW
This is a bimonthly catalog of new Braille titles added to our collection. This catalog is available in large print and in Braille. PLEASE NOTE that the order forms for both the large print and Braille editions do not have your name and address printed on them. The easiest way to mark them is to use a label with your name and address printed on it such as a return address sticker.
HOW MANY?
We can customize the number of books that will be sent to you on a weekly, bi-weekly or even monthly basis. Each patron has a maximum number of items that can be checked out at one time. Once you reach this number you will not receive any more books until you have returned some. We will lower this number at our discretion if you have trouble returning items by the due date.
LOAN PERIOD
We ask that you read and return books and magazines within 45 days of receiving them. Even though we do not charge overdue fines, keeping too many books out can impact your receiving new materials in a timely manner. Equipment is loaned to you for as long as you are enrolled in the service and can be replaced when it no longer functions properly.
RETURNS
All audio and Braille items that you receive from the Library must be returned. Simply turn the mailing card over and the library’s address is one the reverse side of the mailing card. The statement “Free Matter for the Blind and Handicapped” in the position where the stamp would be placed allows you to mail the item without cost to you. 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.
REGIONAL AND SUBREGIONAL LIBRARIES
The Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library in Daytona Beach is the regional library for the state of Florida. Additionally, there are Sub-regional libraries serving many of the larger metropolitan areas in the state. Please call 1-800-226-6075 to find out if you have a subregional library available in your area and get their address and phone number.
CONTACT INFORMATION
The Regional Library is in Daytona Beach and the phone number is 1-800-226-6075. The following are sub-regional libraries:
•Brevard County Talking Book Library 1-321-633-1810
•Broward County Talking Book Library 1-954-357-7555
•Duval County Talking Book Library 1-904-630-1999
•Escambia County Talking Book Library 1-850-471-6000
•Lee County Talking Book Library 1-800-854-8195
•Miami-Dade and Monroe County Talking Book Library 1-800-451-9544
•Orange County Talking Book Library 1-407-835-7464
•Palm Beach County Talking Book Library 1-888-780-5151
•Pinellas and Sarasota County Talking Book Library 1-866-619-9568
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 changes in your telephone number.
VACATION
If you will be gone for a short time, please call the Library and ask a Reader Advisor to place a temporary “stop” on your service. If you will be gone for several months, we can change your address temporarily so your books will be sent to you at your temporary address. When you return from vacation, please be sure to call the Library to restart your service or change your address back to your permanent address.
DAMAGED BOOKS
In order to identify a book that is defective, please put a string or rubber band around the cartridge and replace it in the book container. If you would like to receive another copy, call the Library at 1-800-226-6075 and request a replacement.
REFUSED MAIL
If you refuse mail from the Library, we will inactivate 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 will be suspended. If you want to make changes in your service or stop your service, please call the Library. If you have questions or problems, please call the Library at 1-800-226-6075.
CANCELLING SERVICE
If you want to stop your library service, please call us. 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 won’t fall out. If you don’t have the original box, any box of appropriate size will do. We can send you a label so that you can return the equipment at no cost to you. Please also return any books you may have at the same time.
FRIENDS OF LIBRARY ACCESS
Is a non-profit corporation that was 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. You can join the Friends of Library Access for $10.00 per year for an individual annual membership, $50.00 per year for a supporting member, or $200.00 for a lifetime membership.
TOUCH AND LISTEN NEWSLETTER
The quarterly newsletter of the Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library is available in large type, in both English and Spanish. Audio versionsare posted on our website.A braille version is also available. Contact your Reader Advisor and let them know how you would like to receive your copy.
OUTREACH LIBRARIAN
If you are part of a group or organization who does not know about the services of the Braille and Talking Book Library, please call386-239-6010 and we would be happy to set something up to come talk about our services at a meeting.
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers make a difference for readers who are unable to read conventional print. We are always looking for new volunteers. This volunteer effort ensures that people who have reading disabilities have access to Braille or talking books.
Contact the Volunteer Services Coordinator to volunteer or get more information. Phone number: 386-239-6000.
MORE INFORMATION
If after reading this information you have questions, please call the Library at 1-800-226-6075 and speak to a Reader Advisor. We are here to help you get the most from your library services.
Sincerely,
The Customer Services Section
Our mailing address is:
Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library; 421 Platt Street; Daytona Beach, FL 32114