Talking Book Services Director Mary Rodgers Beal talks with a group of children about braille books.
The Mississippi Library Commission serves as a free public library service for eligible Mississippi residents who are unable to read standard print due to a visual, physical or organic reading disability and for institutions which serve these eligible individuals (schools, hospitals, living facilities, etc). Click here for more information on eligibility.
Talking Books Collection
The Talking Books collection offers a wide range of popular fiction and nonfiction titles for adults, teens, and children. The collection holdings may be searched by anyone using the online catalog, but only registered Talking Book Services patrons may place requests.
Materials include:
Picture of talking book digital cartridges and digital player machines
- audio books and magazines on digital cartridge
- Braille books and magazines
- books in large print
Specialized Talking Book Players are also provided on loan, at no charge, to patrons registered and actively utilizing Talking Books services. Equipment includes:
- Digital cartridge playback machines
- Adaptive devices for the playback machines to further assist individuals with physical or hearing limitations
Materials are mailed directly to the individual’s home in special returnable packaging and may be returned to the Commission without cost through the U.S. Postal Service under the “Free Matter for the Blind and Physically Handicapped” privilege.
BARD: Braille & Audio Reading Download
The BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) service allows Talking Book Services patrons with internet access and an email address to search for and download titles to either a personal flash drive or a digital cartridge for immediate listening. New titles are frequently added to this service. Talking Book Services registered patrons need to register separately for the BARD service.
Large Print Direct
Talking Book Services registered patrons may also receive Large Print materials mailed directly to their homes. To learn more about this service, contact 1-800-446-0892.
The Reading Light
Talking Book Services publishes a quarterly newsletter, The Reading Light, that is available in PDF and audio formats.
National Library Service (NLS): That All May Read
The Commission is able to provide the above services through a partnership with the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) in the Library of Congress.
For more information:
Call:
1-800-446-0892 (toll free) or 601-432-4151
Fax:
1-601-432-4476
Email:
talkingbooks@mlc.lib.ms.us
Mail:
Mississippi Library Commission
Attn: Talking Book Services
3881 Eastwood Drive
Jackson, MS 39211-6473