TBBL Loan Policies

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Loan Policies
These policies govern the circulation of the Talking Books and Braille Library materials and equipment. Registered readers accept responsibility for using materials with reasonable care and for returning them to the Library.

Borrowers return materials through the mail using Free Matter for the Blind mailing privileges and are expected to use the same mailing containers in which books and playback equipment were mailed. Pre-addressed postage-free mailing labels are provided.

Registered readers must notify the library when there is a change of address or phone number, a desire to cancel or suspend service or a need to transfer service to another state. Borrowers may not lend library materials or equipment to other persons. Only Louisianans who are unable to use standard printed materials as a result of temporary or permanent visual or physical limitations are eligible for services.

Playback Machines
Cassette players and Digital Talking Book Machines are loaned to eligible borrowers for use with the recorded collection of the Talking Books and Braille Library. Individuals are allowed to borrow one cassette player and one digital talking book machine.

Institutional users such as schools, libraries, prisons, or nursing homes are allowed up to four cassette players. Special circumstances may be communicated to the Coordinator of Outreach Services, at 1-800-543-4702 or (225) 342-4942. Players in need of repair are replaced upon receipt of non-working cassette players. Playback equipment, whether it is working or non-working, must be returned and is recalled when readers are no longer borrowing from the recorded collection.

Recorded Books
The loan period is four weeks. Although no overdue fines are imposed, overdue notices are sent. Renewals may be requested. Registered readers in good standing work with their reader advisor to determine the number of books that are to be checked out to them at any one time. Those not in good standing are subject to limitations imposed at the discretion of the Coordinator of Outreach Services.

Large Print Books and Big Books
Five large print books and five big books may be checked out at one time. Readers are responsible for the cost of replacing lost large print titles.

Borrowers are urged to observe the 4 week loan period to ensure that large print titles are available for other readers.

Braille Books
TBBL has a contract with the Utah State Library for the Blind and Disabled to provide Braille books for the use of Louisiana readers. Registered readers in good standing may determine the number of books that are to be charged to them at any one time. Overdue notices are sent. No overdue fines are imposed. Renewals may be requested. Braille books check out for four to six weeks. If you need to keep Braille longer, you may borrow the material for three months.  

Descriptive Videos
Because copies are limited, only one movie may be charged to an individual at any one time. Videos are loaned for two weeks from the day it arrives at the home of the borrower. A parent must complete, sign and return a statement of responsibility for borrowers ages 17 or younger. Video borrowing privileges may be revoked, at the discretion of the Coordinator of Outreach Services, for patrons who establish a pattern of repeated loss or damage to videos in the library’s collection.

Violation of Library Policies
Violation of Library policies may result in temporary suspension of some or all Library services.