Guidelines for Using Talking and Braille Books in Your School or Classroom

As a new school year is well underway, here are some important reminders about the services you receive from our library:

• Please submit new student certification forms for any eligible students in your school who have not previously used our cassette or Braille books. These forms and individual applications for home library service are available for download at www.nysl.nysed.gov/tbbl/
• When sending in an application to register a student for home library service, please indicate specific titles needed for English or Literature classes.  Those titles will be sent out as soon as the application is processed and the registration set up. 
• Make sure all applications are properly certified.  If the student has a reading/learning disability, a medical doctor must sign the application and the original signature must be included with the documents that are sent to us.  Contact us if you have any questions on eligibility, or on the application or certification process.
• OVERDUE BOOKS:  Please remind your students to return cassette or Braille books that were borrowed during the previous school year, especially if the student is registered for home library service. Help us to ensure that these titles are available for all eligible students who need them. If you would like a list of the books that are currently charged to your school, call us to request one.  We want to be able to provide prompt service to the 1,700 plus schools and thousands of students who use our services, and your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
• HOW TO CONTACT US:  You may reach our library by calling either of the numbers at the top of the page, or by e-mailing us at the address listed above.  If you e-mail us, please include the name of your school or indicate “TBBL request” in the subject line, so that we can distinguish it from any SPAM e-mail that we might receive.  
•  We now have a direct FAX line in our portion of the library that may be used for submitting book requests.  Our fax number is (518) 486-1957.  Please keep in mind that applications may not be faxed in to us because of the original signature requirement for certification.
• Our library is CLOSED on all state holidays, but you may call our 800# at any time during a holiday, evening, or weekend and leave us a message. Please leave a complete phone number where we can reach you, including area code and extension, if applicable.
• If your school has had a recent change in address or contact information, please call to let us know so that library materials sent out to your school will not be delayed.
• SUMMER READING:  Our library has thousands of titles that are appropriate for required or recreational summer reading.  If students who are registered for home library service need specific titles, please let us know (or send a list home with the student) before the end of the school year, so that we can assure availability. More information about the NYS Summer Reading Program can be obtained on our website.
• TEXTBOOKS:  Textbook and curriculum based material is not part of our library collection.  Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D) is the main source of recorded textbooks in the U.S.  They recently changed their format of educational books from cassette to AudioPlus CD’s.  These CD’s will not play on a standard CD player, but special players are available for purchase from RFB&D.  They may be contacted at (800) 221-4792 or details may also be found on their website at www.rfbd.org

We look forward to hearing from you.  Please call us with any questions or concerns about our program or services. 

The School Services Staff of the NYS Talking Book & Braille Library
Sharon B. Phillips, Senior Librarian