Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
What's New: BARD, Braille and Audio Reading Downloads
The BARD program is a National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) free digital book download service. Over 15,000 books and over 40 magazine titles are available with new books added weekly.
Telephone: (225) 342-0035 or Toll-free: (800) 543-4702
Fax: (225) 342-6817
Email: sbph@state.lib.la.us
Hours of Service: 8:00am - 5:00pm Monday through Friday exclusive of state holidays.
Function and Mission:
Free library services are available to any Louisiana resident who is unable to read standard print materials due to a permanent or temporary visual or physical disability. Books and magazines in large print, Braille and recorded cassettes as well as descriptive videos are loaned to people of all ages who cannot read because they are visually impaired, legally blind, reading-disabled or unable to hold a book or turn pages. To learn more about qualifying conditions and eligibility click here. There is no cost to the the user for postage, shipping or the repair and maintenance of special equipment needed to play the recorded cassettes. Services are also available to schools with eligible students and to institutions with eligible patients, clients or residents.
Over 70,000 titles in a broad range of subjects, both fiction and non-fiction can be borrowed. Louisiana Summer Reading Program materials and Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award titles are also available in alternate formats for young people ages four through 18. The Louisiana Voices Audio Book Production Program records Louisiana-related books and magazines on special format audiocassette tapes for distribution to users registered for Special Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Volunteer narrators and audio technicians produce audio books of local and regional interest in the Louisiana Voices studio located at the State Library of Louisiana.
NLS Digital Download for the Blind
Margaret C. Harrison
Coordinator Of Outreach Services
(225) 342-4942
mharriso@state.lib.la.us
Angela Cinquemano
Louisiana Voices Program Manager
(225) 219-1696
lavoices@state.lib.la.us
Emma K. Schroth
Children and Teen Services Librarian
(225) 342-9563
sbphkids@state.lib.la.us
