Residents of Arkansas who are blind and visually impaired or who cannot read print because of a physical disability can receive braille 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, or chronic fatigue syndrome, 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, 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 can call his or her Talking Book Library and ask for books, or a reader advisor can select 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 do not need to be returned.

Talking Book libraries often have volunteers who record books about the state or books by authors from the state. Be sure to ask if any special titles are available on free loan.

Some Talking Book libraries have acquired a collection of popular audio-described movies for adults and children; give the library that serves your area a call to find out if it has these movies for loan.

Some NLS libraries use interlibrary loan to make audiobooks and other commercially-produced materials available to their patrons. Be sure to ask your Talking Book library how to access this service free of charge.

To find out more and request an application, call the library that serves the county in which you live (see contact list below). Request and complete the application and start reading today!

Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
One Capitol Mall
Little Rock, AR 72201-1085
Telephone: (501)682-1155
Toll-free (In-state): (866)660-0885
TDD: (501)682-1002
FAX: (501)682-1529
Email the Little Rock library or visit their website

Serves: 60 of Arkansas's 75 counties for recorded books; all braille readers in Arkansas


Library for the Blind and Handicapped, Southwest
Columbia County Library
220 East Main Street
P.O. Box 668
Magnolia, AR 71754
Telephone: (870)234-0399
Toll-free (In-state): (866)234-8273
FAX: (870)234-5077
Email the Southwest library in Magnolia

Serves: Bradley, Calhoun, Cleveland, Columbia, Dallas, Hempstead, Howard, Lafayette, Little River, Miller, Nevada, Ouachita, Pike, Polk, Sevier, and Union counties