Talking Book Basics for School Libraries

 Library service: Consists of audio and braille books and magazines that are mailed directly to and from the student’s home.

 Tax supported: There is no out-of-pocket expense to the student. All postage is “Free Matter for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.”

 Eligibility: Illinois residents who have a visual or physical impairment that prevents the reading of standard print are eligible. Some reading disabilities also qualify.

 Applications: Call to request by mail or download them from our website. All applications must have the qualifying condition certified by an authorized professional. Mail, email, or fax applications back to the address or number on the reverse of this sheet.

 Equipment: Each student receives a digital talking book machine to use with the book cartridges. Equipment is federal property and must be returned when no longer in use. Please keep the box the player is sent in and flip the mailing card over to return for repairs or when ready to close the account.

 Materials: Our collection has a wide variety of popular fiction and non-fiction for adults and children. It currently includes over 84,000 titles in digital audio books; 70 magazines; 15,000 braille books; 200 descriptive DVDs; newsletters and book lists.

 Children’s Materials: Our collection does not include textbooks, but we have a range of storybooks, classics, non-fiction, bestsellers, and YA. Magazines include Cricket, National Geographic Kids, Muse, and Sports Illustrated Kids.

 BARD: Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) is an online digital catalog that allows students to download material to a flash drive, a blank book cartridge, or the free BARD Mobile apps for iOS, Android, and Kindle devices.  Ordering Books: Make requests by phone, email, through the online catalog, or by mailing in the order form found in the bimonthly Talking Books Topics catalog. All library staff can assist students with downloading or ordering books for their account. Books can also be automatically selected for them based on general reading preferences. The loan period for each book is 6 weeks.  Library Demonstration Accounts: Receive a talking book player and sample books to demonstrate service to your students, parents, and teachers. Library accounts can access the entire catalog and download 4 specific BARD titles for demonstration use only. Equipment must be returned at the end of the school year and accounts must be reactivated at the beginning of the school year.

 Certification: Librarians may certify students’ eligibility by signing the applications. Exception: Reading disabilities must be certified by a medical doctor.

 Classroom Accounts: Teachers with qualifying students may sign up to receive a player and materials for use in the classroom (access to full collection). Teachers may also handle a student’s individual account to have books sent to the school rather than the home. Equipment must be returned at the end of the school year, and accounts must be reactivated when the next school year begins.

 Reader Advisors: Our Reader Advisors are available Monday–Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm. They’re like personal librarians and the point of contact for any questions or issues.

Illinois State Library Talking Book and Braille Service 300 S. Second Street Springfield, IL 62701 Phone: 1-800-665-5576 Option 1

Illinois Talking Book Outreach Center 125 Tower Drive Burr Ridge, IL 60527-5783 Phone: 1-800-426-0709 Fax: 1-630-734-5055 [email protected] www.illinoistalkingbooks.org