The Adult Services department of the NJ State Library Talking Book and Braille Center (TBBC) serves New Jersey adult residents who have difficulty reading because of blindness, a physical impairment, a reading disability or a vision challenge.
Apply for Service
TBBC offers free access to over 100,000 titles and 40 magazines in accessible formats for New Jersey residents with reading disabilities.
Materials can be downloaded or delivered directly by mail. All items are shipped postage-free as “FREE MATTER FOR THE BLIND OR PRINT DISABLED.” TBBC also provides audio and braille technology training at select libraries throughout the state.
To get started, new members must complete an application and have it certified to confirm eligibility. TBBC proudly supports New Jersey libraries and institutions serving eligible individuals.
Apply now online and discover a world of accessible reading at your fingertips.
Publications
- Braille Book Review
- Electronic Newsletter
- Talking Book Topics (TBT): TBT is published every two months by National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), Library of Congress. It’s mailed to all TBBC members and it lists new items. TBT is available in large print, on the web, and can be downloaded as an audio magazine from BARD. Patrons can also search TBBC’s online catalog and request books online; they must call TBBC to obtain their username and password.
Resources
Books and Magazines
TBBC offers a wide range of free, accessible reading resources for individuals of all ages with print disabilities. Tens of thousands of book titles, along with dozens of periodicals, are available through innovative tools and services.
For our members, TBBC provides books in several accessible formats:
- Audiobooks and Magazines
- Braille Books
- Large Print Books for Children, Teens and Young Adults
- Search the NLS Catalog online. Registered patrons can also visit our new Patron Page to browse and order books. This new patron website replaces our old self service catalog. Patrons can logon to the new Patron Page by clicking the link, selecting NJ1A – Trenton from the drop down menu, and then entering their patron ID and password.
- First time users can contact the library for their initial login ID and password through our reader services phone line at 800-792-8322 or by email at tbbc@njstatelib.org.
Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD)
BARD, offers downloadable books and magazines for patrons who are unable to read standard print due to a visual, print, or physical disability. These services are provided by the NLS.
Audiobook Players
Individuals, places and libraries registered with the TBBC are eligible to receive a no-cost, long-term loan of an easy-to-use Digital Talking Book Machine (DTBM).
Library Equal Access Program (LEAP)
LEAP offers free technology courses for individuals aged 55 and above, who have some level of vision loss, to teach them how to use accessibility features available on Apple iPad and iPhone devices.
News Reading Service
Newsline offers access to hundreds of audio newspapers, grocery ad flyers and magazines via the internet, telephone access, on-demand emails, or via the NFB-Newsline mobile app for Apple devices. Are you already registered for Newsline? You can log in here.
Additional Resources
For a list of NJ services and resources, see the Resource Directory of the NJ Division of Disability Services.
TBBC Services for Library Staff
TBBC offers a valuable, no-cost service that your library can bring to your community. To increase the visibility of the services of the TBBC in our communities, we partner with fellow public libraries in several ways.
Do You Still Have Questions?
- Email: tbbc@njstatelib.org
- Phone: 800-792-8322 ext. 0
- Fax: 609-406-7181
TBBC is open to walk-in visitors Monday through Friday 8:00, a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and State Holidays.
Servicios Hispanos
- Llame gratis al 800-792-8322 ext. 822; o envíe un correo electrónico a tbbcspanish@njstatelib.org.
- TBBC abre cinco días a la semana, de 8:00 a. m. a 3:30 p. m., de lunes a viernes. Cerramos los sábados, domingos y días festivos estatales.
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed on this website do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.