Residents of Wisconsin 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, 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 Wisconsin library has volunteer-produced books about the state and books by Wisconsin authors. The library may also use interlibrary loan to make audiobooks and other commercially-produced materials available to their patrons.

The Wisconsin library loans video-described movies from Descriptive Video Services, or DVS, to eligible patrons. The library also has many files of information related to blindness and disabilities. Residents throughout the state are encouraged to call the library toll-free for reference assistance on these topics.

Small collections of recorded books are available for loan and for demonstrations from some local public libraries throughout the state.

The Wisconsin library serves the entire state. Recorded books are housed on-site, and braille books are borrowed on behalf of patrons from the Utah library in Salt Lake City.

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


Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
813 West Wells Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233-1436
Telephone: (414)286-3045
Toll-free (In-state): (800)242-8822
TDD: (414)286-3548
FAX: (414)286-3102
Email the Wisconsin library or visit their website