Talking Books/Homebound Services

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That All May Read

The Talking Books/Homebound Service of the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library is part of a nationwide network of cooperating libraries headed by the National Library Service, a division of the Library of Congress. This free program provides library services and materials in alternative formats to persons with visual or physical disabilities. Books are available in Large print, Audio, Downloadable and Braille formats. All materials are sent to borrowers and returned by postage-free mail.

Contact Information:

Talking Books/Homebound Services
200 SE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Evansville, IN 47713
Telephone: (812) 428-8235
Toll-Free: (866) 645-2536
Fax: (812) 428-8397
Email: Ask EVPL
Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm

About

What is Available

The Talking Book collection includes bestsellers, romances, mysteries, westerns, science fiction...books on current events, history, religion, biographies...as well as poetry, humor, young adult and children's books! Online catalogs: IN-Pac or NLS

Customers may also choose from more than seventy popular magazines. Talking Books also circulates materials in other formats, such as Braille, Large Print and Descriptive Videos.

Special Equipment

The easy to use playback equipment required to play Talking Books is also provided at no charge! Special accessories such as breath switches, extension levers, and amplifiers are also available to those who need them.

Home Delivery

Reading materials and equipment are sent to borrowers and returned to the library by postage-free mail.

Service Area

From our library we serve residents in eleven Southern Indiana counties. They include: Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Knox, Martin, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh and Warrick. Indiana residents outside this area can obtain information from the Indiana State Library, Talking Book & Braille Library at the following toll free number: (800) 622-4970.

Other Services

Reference information related to blindness and disabilities... Readers' Advisors to assist with book selection... Onsite Assistive Technology Workstations (computers with internet access, equipped with screen-reading (JAWS) and screen-enlarging (Zoom Text) software... a video magnifier (Clearview+) which enlarges printed materials on a video screen is also available. Contact Talking Books via Ask EVPL for more information.

Apply

Eligibility

Anyone who cannot use standard print materials because of a visual or physical disability, even if temporary, is eligible for Talking Books. Some learning disabilities due to an organic dysfunction such as dyslexia may also qualify. More on eligibility.

To Apply

An application form is required to begin service. Simply complete the application, have it signed by a "certifying authority," and mail it back to us. The application may be signed by your doctor, optometrist, visiting nurse, counselor, etc. If you are reading disabled it must be signed by a doctor of medicine (M.D. or D.O.). You may pick up an application in our office or request one by telephone, Ask EVPL, or in writing. Or click here to print an application.

Resources

Online Resources for the Blind & Physically Handicapped

Low Vision Aids, Appliances & Adaptive Technology