Residents of Kentucky who are blind and visually impaired or who cannot read print because of a physical disability can receive braille, large print or audio books and magazines through the mail, free of charge.

People who cannot see to read a regular print book or who cannot manipulate a book because of arthritis, paralysis, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome or other physical disabilities, or who have a reading disability such as dyslexia, qualify for services. They may borrow audio Talking Books or braille books through special libraries that are part of a Library of Congress program called the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS).

All kinds of books are available through the national collection, from mysteries to fantasies to biographies to cookbooks to children's books. Thousands of titles are in the collection for every reading taste. Magazines are also available in braille and on tape.

The patron calls the Talking Book Library and requests books, or a reader advisor selects books for him. Books are sent through the mail free of charge, and when the patron is finished with them, they are returned, again postage-free. Magazines are also sent through the mail, but do not need to be returned.

In addition to the national collection, the Kentucky libraries have books and magazines of state and local interest that are recorded by volunteers. Interlibrary loan is used to make audiobooks and other commercially-produced materials available to library patrons. Collections of described movies from Descriptive Video Services, or DVS, are available and may be borrowed by Talking Book patrons.

The Frankfort regional library serves 111 of the 120 counties in Kentucky. The Louisville subregional library serves Jefferson County, and the Northern Kentucky library serves eight counties in the Covington area.

To find out more and request an application, call the library (see contact information below). Request and complete the application and start reading today!

Kentucky Talking Book Library
300 Coffee Tree Road
P.O. Box 537
Frankfort, KY 40602-0537

Telephone: (502)564-8300
Toll-free (In-state): (800)372-2968
FAX: (502)564-5773
Email the Frankfort library or visit their website

Serves: Kentucky (111 of 120 counties)


Louisville Talking Book Library
Louisville Free Public Library
301 West York Street
Louisville, KY 40203

Telephone: (502)574-1770 and (502)574-1625
TDD: (502)574-1621
FAX: (502)574-1659
Email the Louisville library or visit their website

Serves: City of Louisville and Jefferson County



Northern Kentucky Talking Book Library
502 Scott Boulevard
Covington, KY 41011-1530

Telephone: (859)962-4095
Toll-free (In-state): (866)491-7610
TDD: (859)962-4060
FAX: (859)962-4096
Email the Covington library or visit their website

Serves: Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Owen, and Pendleton counties