Questions? 

Contact Talking Books Staff at (401) 574-9310 or email us at talking.books@olis.ri.gov.

You can also contact:

Alicia Waters
Library Services Coordinator
alicia.waters@olis.ri.gov

Neshmayda Calderon
Information Services Technician: Talking Books
neshmayda.calderon@olis.ri.gov

Kelley Lima
Information Services Technician: LORI Services
kelley.lima@olis.ri.gov

About Talking Books

Talking Books Library, the Rhode Island Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, provides library service free of charge to anyone in Rhode Island who is unable to read standard print material because of a temporary or permanent visual or physical handicap. The program is part of the National Library Service network which provides free digital books, braille books, magazines, music materials and equipment to eligible residents and agencies. The Talking Books Library program is administered by the Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services.

Talking Books Library Services for Individuals

Individuals applying for Talking Books Library service must complete an application and have a certifying authority sign the form. Check the eligibility requirements for individuals to see if you qualify for this free service. See Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

TBL Services for Agencies, Institutions and Their Clients

Rhode Island social service agencies, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, K-12 schools, colleges and university disability centers, senior centers, and public or private libraries that serve individuals with low vision, blindness, or physical disabilities are also eligible to receive materials and equipment for their programs.

Agencies applying for institutional Talking Books Library membership must complete an application and have the agency director and a contact person sign the form. For more information see Frequently Asked Questions. For requirements, visit TBL Free Library Services to Institutions.

Materials and Equipment

Talking Books Library provides the following free resources to its members:

  • Access to over 125,000 titles
  • Over 99,000 downloadable digital titles through BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download service)
  • Over 80 magazine titles available for digital download
  • Over 100 descriptive DVDs
  • Digital players and headphones loaned to members
  • Braille books
  • Talking Times Newsletter (news and information for members)
  • Talking Book Topics and Digital Talking Books Library book catalogs sent automatically to members
  • Interlibrary loan of titles available from the National Library Service network.

Policies

  • Borrowing policies can be found on the TBL Policies page.
  • Learn more about the services available to members.