Digital Talking Books

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In 2009, the National Library Service began offering digital talking books and players to our readers. The digital talking book is a new type of book that replaces the cassette tape. Instead of a magnetic cassette tape, the new players use a USB Flash Drive embedded inside a hard plastic cartridge digital talking book.

The new format offers improved audio quality while being more durable and easier to use. These books, recorded and played using digital audio technology, provide the same high quality narration that NLS patrons have come to expect.

If you are interested in borrowing a digital talking book machine and digital talking books, please contact the TBBL at 1-800-543-4702 or (225) 342-0035 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

By law, TBBL gives priority service to veterans of the United States armed forces who have received honorable discharges from military service. Documentation that verifies a veteran's status, such as a copy of the DD-214 form, must be submitted to the library in order to give veterans priority in receiving the new digital player.

BARD Application Instructions -

BARD - Braille and Audio Reading Download 

Log in at this web address: https://nlsbard.loc.gov/cgi-bin/nlsbardprod/index.cgi

for the free Braille and Audio Reading Download program which includes over 21,000 downloadable digital talking books and over 40 digital magazines.