Residents of Georgia 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, 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 asks for 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 by mail, but do not need to be returned.

Some Talking Book libraries use volunteers to record books about the state or books by authors from the state. Many libraries have acquired a collection of popular audio-described movies for adults and children. NLS libraries may use interlibrary loan to make audiobooks and other commercially-produced materials available to their patrons, and digital books may be downloaded for use with notetakers and MP3 players.

The Georgia Library for Accessible Services (GLASS) in Atlanta serves the entire state. Other libraries, called subregionals, are branches that serve specific counties throughout the state. Braille books are borrowed for Georgia patrons from the Utah library.

To find out more or to request an application, follow the link below to locate the library that serves the county in which you live. If you do not find your county listed, then your books will come from the Atlanta library, and you should contact them directly.

Click here for Georgia Talking Book libraries. The list includes complete contact information for each library, such as local and toll-free phone numbers, email addresses, and websites.