The New York State Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL) is a free service for New Yorkers (outside of New York City and Long Island) who are unable to use standard print materials. Contact us for help signing up!
Are you here to apply on behalf of an institution, such as a school, nursing home, or public library? Please visit our page about Service for Institutions.
How do I know if I qualify for TBBL?
You may be eligible for TBBL if you:
- Can’t see well enough to read conventional print.
- Have a physical limitation that prevents you from holding a book or turning its pages.
- Have a perceptual or reading disability.
The links to apply are below. Your application must be signed by a professional familiar with your disability—like a doctor, registered nurse, or case worker—so we know you qualify for TBBL services.
For more information about who is eligible for TBBL services and authorities who can sign your application, see the National Library Service’s Talking Books and Reading Disabilities fact sheet.
I’m ready to sign up for TBBL. What do I do next?
Choose from an application below based on the applicant’s age or language spoken.
Adults
Adults aged 18 and older should complete and submit one form: our TBBL Application for Individuals.
Children and teens
Children and teens under 18 years old should get help from a parent, guardian, or caregiver, and complete and submit the TBBL Application for Individuals including the Parental Acknowledgement section. A typed or handwritten signature is acceptable.
Parents, guardians, and caregivers, please note: As of 2024, upon acceptance, your child will have access to the entire NLS catalog of reading material without content-based limits.
Adults, children, and teens who speak Spanish
All age groups will fill out one form: the National Library Service’s Spanish Language Application for Individuals.
Parents, guardians, and caregivers, please note: The parental acknowledgement form is included in the Spanish-language application and is not a separate form.
What do I do after I fill out the required forms?
Once you complete the forms, you can submit to us by:
- Emailing them to: tbbl@nysed.gov.
- Faxing them to: (518) 474-7041.
- Mailing them to:
New York State Talking Book and Braille Library
Cultural Education Center
222 Madison Avenue
Albany, NY 12230-0001
After You Apply
When will I know that I’m approved?
We are typically able to get back to you within a few business days.
What happens next?
When we receive your completed application, we will register you for service and send you:
- A packet with a welcome letter and a Guide to Library Services, which explains how to use the library according to your own particular reading needs.
- The equipment you requested.
- Several books in subject areas you told us you like (if you asked us to choose books for you).
Please note that these items may arrive at different times.
How do I request materials?
We have a guide for that! Visit our page on how to Request Books from Home Using the Talking Book and Braille Library Online Catalog.
What if I want to use my library materials digitally?
No problem! Once you are approved for TBBL, we also register you for the Braille and Audio Reading Download, or BARD. It’s a free service provided by the National Library Service (NLS) that allows you to instantly download more than 150,000 digital books and over 100 magazine titles directly to the devices you already use, like smartphones, tablets, or computers. You don’t have to visit us in Albany to use BARD, and you don’t receive physical books mailed to your home. You can learn more about BARD on our website.
I still need help signing up. What do I do?
You can contact us. We are happy to help!