Access California's Braille and Talking Book Library

Updated September 12, 2023
The Braille and Talking Book Library (BTBL) is a branch of the California State Library which cooperates with the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disables (NLS). 
BTBL lends free braille and recorded books and magazines to patrons of all ages. Residents of Northern California who have been certified as unable to read ordinary print or hold a print book of any age are eligible for free services. 

Books and players are provided by the Library of Congress and mailed postage free to and from readers. Their catalog includes novels, mysteries, westerns, biographies, magazines and much more. Titles are available in audiocassette, digital audio cartridge, braille, downloadable audio or braille and electronic braille formats. 

They also offer print books on blindness, visual impairments, newspapers available via touch-tone phone and more.

Please contact the California State Library for an application. Email [email protected] or click here to learn more. 

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