Who may use the service?
Persons who are unable to read or use standard printed materials due to blindness, low vision, missing arms or hands, lack of muscle coordination, prolonged weakness, or physically based reading disabilities (such as dyslexia) are eligible. An application signed by a certifyiing agent is required.

How do I volunteer?
Volunteer opportunities are available in our local recording studio. Volunteers have the
opportunity to produce books written by Kansas authors or written about the state of Kansas. Production includes recording the material or editing previously recorded books. Please contact the regional library for more information.

How are the books sent and how long may they be kept?
Books are sent postage free, through regular U.S. mail, and are returned in the same manner. All have pre-addressed postage free mailing cards for easy return.

Why won't talking books play on regular cassette players?
Talking books have a nonstandard cassette format that permits four tracks per cassette. A normal Talking Book tape can hold almost six hours of narration. Home stereo equipment is designed to play commercially produced 2- track tapes.

What happens if the cassette player stops working?
Do not attempt to repair library equipment. A replacement is sent in exchange for the inoperable player. Please contact your Talking Book Service center.

When will Talking Books be available on CDs? For many years, the primary format for talking books has been cassette. Extensive research revealed compact discs (CDs) to be too fragile a format in the hands of users and the postal system. For these reasons NLS has chosen the USB (Universal Serial Bus) Flash Drive for the circulation of digital talking books (DTBs). In 2008 NLS will begin to replace its existing cassette-based talking book system with a new system based on digital talking books.

Are videotapes included in the collection? Descriptive videos are available. Descriptive videos are movies and television programs enhanced with narration that describes the actions, settings, gestures, and other key visual elements.Titles range from the Nova Series to Disney Movies, and also include new releases such as Harry Potter, and A Beautiful Mind. A current list of DVS is available in Microsoft Word formats. To update your request list print the available order form and mail to the library.

What about magazines on tape?
A variety of popular free recorded and Braille magazines are available. Contact your Talking Book Service Center for a complete list.

Does Talking Books provide textbooks?
While some books teachers and professors may assign can be obtained at Talking Books, textbooks are not specifically provided by Talking Books. Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic specialize in providing textbooks for students.

What if I want to make suggestions about titles or authors to be recorded on Talking Books?
If there are some books or authors you would like to suggest for production especially those about Kansas or by Kansas authors please contact the regional library. While we will consider your suggestion the library retains the final task of determining whether or not a book will be produced locally. Any books you send will remain the property of the library.