The Talking Book Program was born in 1918, when the Texas Legislature appropriated $1,000 for the State Library to purchase raised-lettering books for visually impaired Texans. Over the years, the program has expanded into complete library service for all residents unable to read standard print.
The Talking Book Program (TBP) provides free library services to qualifying Texans with visual, physical, or reading disabilities. TBP is part of the National Library Service to the Blind and Print Disabled, a program administered by the Library of Congress. The TBP collection consists of more than 100,000 titles, including hundreds of titles in Spanish, and some in French, German, Russian, and other languages.
A Historical Look
- In 1918, service began when the Texas Legislature appropriated $1,000 for the State Library to purchase raised-lettering books.
- In 1931, the Library of Congress selected the State Library to participate in a regional system established to provide service nationwide to adults who were blind. The State Library was one of the original 18 libraries chosen (Pratt-Smoot Act).
- In 1952, library service for children who were blind was added.
- In 1966, Texans with physical disabilities, preventing them from holding a book or turning pages, were included.
- In 1974, service was expanded to include individuals with learning disabilities of an organic nature.
- In 1978, a Volunteer Recording Studio is founded to record Texas materials for the network.
- In 2006, Talking Book Program celebrated 75 years of service with a ceremony at the Capitol and a reception at the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building.
- In 2009, the NLS Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) website launched for patrons to download books from a computer.
- In 2011, TBP was selected as the National Library Service Library of the Year.
- In 2013, the BARD Mobile app for iOS devices was released, followed by Android in 2015.
- In 2018, the Volunteer Recording Studio celebrated its 40th anniversary
- In 2021, NLS and TBP will celebrate 90 years of helping people with a print disability read throughout the country.
The Talking Book Program is available to Texans with visual, physical, or reading disabilities that prevent them from reading standard print. In order to receive free services, please fill and/or print out the Talking Book Program application, sign the agreement (electronic typed signature accepted), complete the information, and have the form signed by a professional (“certifying authority”) who can certify that you meet one of the following criteria for service:
Application for Talking Book Services
Internal Links
Eligibility / Certifying Authorities / Veterans / Application Forms/Aplicación / Address
External Links
School Service
Related Links
Student Resources for Reading Disabilities / Want to become a Demonstration Site? / Getting Started with the Talking Book Program / Loan Policy / National Library Service for the Blind & Physically Handicapped
Today, the Talking Book Program provides library books and magazines in special media to more than 16,000 Texans of all ages and backgrounds across the state.