What are Talking Books?
Talking Books are current, popular books and magazines for
adults and children recorded on cassette tapes for patrons who
are unable to use regular printed
materials. Talking Books are available in English, Spanish, and other languages.
Books and magazines are also available in Braille.
What is the Talking Books Library?
The Talking Books Library is a special service of the Palm Beach
County Library and a part of the Library of Congress National
Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. We
lend Talking Books along with special cassette tape players, free-of-charge to eligible patrons. Special catalogs are provided for
patrons to select books, or library staff will assist with book selection. All services are available by mail, or in person. This Library serves all of Palm Beach County.
Who is Eligible for Service?
Anyone who is unable to read small print due to blindness or a visual disability (includes large print readers), or anyone unable to hold a book or turn pages due to a
physical disability, is eligible. These disabilities need not be permanent to qualify for the service. In certain instances, individuals with reading disabilities such as
dyslexia are also eligible.
 May
I Order Talking Books Online?
Talking Books may be ordered through the Talking Books Website: www.klas.com/talkingbooks/florida. On the Talking
Books website, patrons can order books and search for authors,
titles and subjects. Telephone the Talking Books Library to
obtain a user I.D. and password.
What is the Cost?
All Talking Books services, including postage, are FREE of charge.
 How
to Apply for Service?
Call the Talking Books Library, 649-5500 (West Palm Beach);
or 1-888-780-5151 (South County and Glades area),
or email outreach@pbclibrary.org for an application. The application may be certified by
an M.D., Ophthalmologist, Registered Nurse, or other qualified professionals serving the blind or physically disabled.
Download a copy of the Talking Books application form.
Download Spanish version of application form.
Descriptive Videos
The Talking Books Library collection includes
descriptive videos, feature length movies and documentaries that
include audio enhancements of the locations, costumes , sets and
action without interfering with the dialogue and sound effects.
These videos are played on a standard VCR and no additional
equipment is required.
Selections can be made from a large print catalog
available from Talking Books. Registered Talking Books patrons
can borrow two descriptive videos at a time, either in the mail
(free of charge), or by visiting the Talking Books Library
between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Accessible Computer Center
Computer, access software and other devices
designed specifically for use by the blind, physically
handicapped or reading disabled children and adults are
available by appointment, Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m.
until 3:30 p.m.
The Center is located in the Palm Beach County
Library System Talking Books Service at the Library Annex in
Lake Worth. Please call to make an appointment.
Greater West Palm Beach
(561) 649-5500 |
South County & the Glades
Toll Free 1-888-780-5151 |
Appointments, orientation and basic computer
training sessions are 90 minutes. The Accessible Computer
Center contains computers with:
- Large print displays through magnification
using Zoomtext,
- Speech output using JAWS and MAGIC
software,
- Word processing and other Microsoft Office
products and,
- High-speed access to the Talking Books and
Palm Beach County Library catalogs and the Internet.
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