Eligability Requirements And Services Information

In cooperation with a network of regional and subregional libraries, the Library of Congress provides a free library service to persons who are unable to read or use standard printed materials because of a visual or physical impairment. Books and magazines in recorded form, talking books, or in Braille are delivered to eligible readers by postage-free mail and are returned in the same manner. Specially designed record players and cassette players are also loaned free to persons borrowing talking books.

The regional library provide a full range of library services to handicapped readers. In many states readers receive talking books through subregional libraries. In addition, these libraries offer their handicapped readers reference and readers' advisory services. Eligible United States citizens residing in foreign countries are served directly by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, see U.S. Citizens Residing In Foreign Countries.

Who Can Use The Service

People who meet the following requirements can borrow material:

If your visual acuity, as determined by competent authority, is 20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting lenses, or your widest diameter of visual field subtends an angular distance no greater than 20 degrees.
If you are physically disabled as follows:
- If your visual disability, with correction and regardless of optical measurement, is certified by competent authority as preventing the reading of standard printed material.
  If you are certified by competent authority as unable to read or unable to use standard printed material as a result of physical limitations.
  If you are certified by competent authority as having a reading disability resulting from organic dysfunction and of sufficient severity to prevent your reading printed material in a normal manner.
In cases of blindness, visual disability or physical limitations, "competent authority" is defined to include doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, ophthalmologists, optometrists, registered nurses, therapists, professional staff of hospitals, institutions, and public or welfare agencies (e.g. social workers, case workers, counselors, rehabilitation teachers and superintendents). In the absence of any of these, certification may be made by professional librarians or by any person whose competence under specific circumstances is acceptable to the Library of Congress.

How To Apply For The Service

Contact your area's Regional Library. Click here for the alphabetical state listing.

What Can Be Borrowed

Library patrons may borrow recreational reading materials and magazines which are provided by the Library of Congress, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped on cassette, disc and in Braille. This book collection contains thousands of fiction and nonfiction titles including classics, biographies, science fiction, gothics, mysteries, westerns, how-to and self-help guides.

There are small collections of locally recorded books of local interest (including history) available from some libraries such as The Braille Institute in Los Angeles.

A limited number of titles are available in languages other than English, e.g., Spanish, French, German. Print books on blindness, visual disabilities and other physical disabilities are also available.

For further information or application forms write to the library serving your area.

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