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Library and Information Services

The West Virginia Library Commission Special Services

1900 Kanawha Boulevard E.
Charleston, WV 25305
Phone: 1-800-642-8674
Email: talkbks@wvlc.lib.wv.us
Website: www.librarycommission.wv.gov
Hours: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday

The West Virginia Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped offers free library service to people unable to read or handle ordinary books and magazines because of a visual or physical disability. The Library provides a variety of materials on popular subjects, current events, and best sellers. Materials are available in large type and Braille. Thousands of audio books and magazines are available on cassette, Cd, digital cartridges and by downloading from the National Library Service's BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) website. Patrons may either visit the library, browse online or have materials mailed free of charge. The library also provides players and selected accessories. This service is provided as a part of a national program administered by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print-Disabled (NLS), Library of Congress.

NFB-NEWSLINE® for the Blind

Information: 1-800-642-8674, 410-659-9314, or 866-504-7300
Obtain a local NFB-Newsline® Dial in Number: 888-882-1629
Website: http://www.nfb.org/nfbnewsline

NFB-NEWSLINE® for the Blind is the world's first free talking newspaper service, which offers consumers the complete texts of more than 500 publications with the use of a touch-tone telephone, portable talking book player, iPhone app, or Alexa. NFB-Newsline® also provides access to television program listings, job listings, weather forecasts, some retail advertisements, and emergency alerts.

Learning Ally

20 Roszel Road
Princeton, NJ 08540
Member Services: 800-221-4792
Washington DC Studio: 202-244-8990
Email: custserv@learningally.org
Website: www.learningally.org

Learning Ally, formerly RFB&D, is a national organization providing audio textbooks, library services and educational resources to those who cannot read standard print because of a visual, physical, or perceptual disability. Learning Ally specializes in textbooks and books needed in various professions. Books are produced in digital format and can be played on specialized talking book players and apps for iOS and Android phones and tablets. A membership fee is required.

Bookshare

480 South California Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
Phone: 650-352-0198
Fax: 650-475-1066
Email: info@bookshare.org
Website: www.bookshare.org

Bookshare.org is an online library that enables members who have visual impairments, reading, or other print disabilities to legally share thousands of accessible electronic books and periodicals. An annual subscription fee is required for non-students. Bookshare Members download books and magazines in a compressed, encrypted file. They then read the material using adaptive technology, typically software that reads the book aloud (text-to-speech) and/or displays the text of the book on a computer screen, or Braille access device. Materials are also available by means of apps for iOS and Android devices.

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