Talking books
The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped provides special equipment and books on cassette or in digital form through state and local agencies to serve citizens with visual impairments. Marion Public Library serves as Marion’s local agency, and provides Talking Books cassette/digital players to eligible individuals who are unable to read due to blindness, severe visual handicap, or physical limitations.
Books and magazines on specially formatted cassette tapes or digital players are delivered to the patron’s residence through normal mail delivery. These materials are sent from the Cleveland Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Application for this service is made at the library through the local coordinator. If necessary, the coordinator may meet with the patron at their residence to help fill out the application and demonstrate the equipment. There are no fees for this service.
This program is also available to patrons with learning disabilities who may benefit from the use of taped textbooks. These patrons must be certified on the application form by their medical physician in order to be eligible. Recording for the Blind, located in New Jersey, is the agency which tapes the textbooks and mails them to the patron. There is a fee associated with this program. For more information about this service, contact the Talking Books program coordinator at the Marion Public Library at (740) 387-0992.
