Welcome to The New Jersey State Library Talking Book & Braille Center (TBBC). Founded in 1967, TBBC is a library that provides no-cost, home-delivered services, on behalf of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped at the Library of Congress, to children, teens and adults in New Jersey who have difficulty reading standard print or trouble holding a book. Apply for our library service. Contact us toll-free at 800-792-8322, Monday through Friday, between 8:30am – 4:15pm.
- Read our current newsletter.
- Donate: If you would like to make a donation to support the work of TBBC, please donate here.
- Need some inspiration? Read what our members say about our library service.
- We also partner with public libraries to offer TBBC’s services in our NJ communities.
Penn Museum – Tactile Trip Around the World
Penn Museum invites visitors with vision loss to explore the museum through the senses on Saturday, June 8, 2019 from 12-4pm! The program will feature sensory stations in eight galleries, including a chance to touch real artifacts. Museum staff will be stationed around the building to guide visitors who are blind or visually impaired through the tactile experiences, give verbal descriptions, and offer way-finding assistance. Visitors with vision loss who require or prefer sighted guides are encouraged to bring an assistant or companion. The program is FREE with regular Museum admission. General admission is $15, senior citizens 65 and above are $13, children 6-17 years old and college students with ID are $10. One sighted companion per visitor receives free admission. Please send questions or RSVPs to Kevin Schott at kschott@upenn.edu or call (215) 898-4277.
To learn more click here >>>>>>>>>
Spring 2019 LEAP Classes
TBBC is partnering with the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI) on t
he LEAP initiative. The Library Equal Access Program (LEAP) provides free computer and iPad training classes at assistive technology learning centers located in 11 public libraries across the state. LEAP is for New Jersey residents 55 and older who have a change in vision.
The iPad and computer classes will be provided by Advancing Opportunities and will be held from March through June. Classes will meet once a week for an hour and a half.
CLICK HERE For More Information >>>>>>>>>
NEWEST LEAP LIBRARY:
The Monmouth County Library has officially launched it’s Library Equal Access Program (LEAP) in Manalapan, New Jersey. This program serves the previously overlooked Central Jersey area. The program brings excitement to all of those participating.
Check out this Amazing Device at OrCam
OrCam MyEye 2
For the Blind and Visually Impaired
The most advanced wearable assistive technology device for the blind and visually impaired, that reads text, recognizes faces, identifies products and more.
Click here to watch the video>>>>>>
OrCam MyReader 2
Read from any surface
The most advanced Artificial Intelligence device for the blind and visually impaired, that can read the morning paper, a favorite book, text messages, emails, and more.
Click here to watch the video>>>>>>
Veterans Can Receive a Free OrCam through the VA. How Can You Qualify?
There are currently 160,000 legally blind veterans and over 1 million veterans with low vision according to the Veteran Administration’s estimates.
Click here to watch the video>>>>>>
Contact Eve Posner Independent Distributor, Amit Group at 973.820.5090 or email eve@amit-group.com
Middle Atlantic Blind Golfers Association
Is Hosting a FREE Co-Ed Golf Clinic for Blind and Visually Impaired Children ages 7-21
Monthly lessons and outings at various golf courses in the Mid-Atlantic Region. They provide golf clubs, balls and a bag as well as teach the participant how to golf!
Here is a link to a video explaining the organization https://vimeo.com/121383123
For more information about the Junior Blind Golf Program please contact Mike Molloy: 215-579-7266, 215-499-0599 (cell) or mgmolloy@aol.com
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC has a variety of programs for blind/visually impaired visitors. Take part in verbal imaging and touch tours as well as art workshops for kids, teens, and adults.
You can get on their mailing list to receive brochures or visit this link for upcoming programs:
For More
Information>>>>>
More Information for Library Staff
The New Jersey State Library Talking Book & Braille Center (TBBC) serves New Jersey residents of all ages (children, teens and adults) who cannot read standard print or who cannot hold a book or turn the pages of a book because of a physical impairment, a reading disability, or a visual impairment. TBBC provides no-cost, home-delivered services as a regional library of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), a division of the U.S. Library of Congress. In addition to serving individuals, we serve all places in NJ that serve eligible residents and we serve libraries. You must apply for service.
TBBC is a division of the New Jersey State Library. The New Jersey State Library is affiliated with Thomas Edison State University. The New Jersey State Library Talking Book & Braille Center is supported with funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services .
Kudos for TBBC: Read our kudos page to discover just how important our services are to those we serve.
Read our current newsletter for an update on the services we provide.
Contact us: Call toll-free 800-792-8322; Email tbbc@njstatelib.org.
The no-cost, home-delivered services of the New Jersey State Library Talking Book & Braille Center (TBBC) are available to all New Jersey residents of any age (children, teens and adults) whose ability to read is affected by a physical impairment, a reading disability or a vision impairment. This includes anyone who cannot read standard print or who cannot hold a book or turn the pages of a book. Read our kudos page and discover how important our services are to those we serve.
The New Jersey State Library Talking Book & Braille Center provides books in Braille and audio formats. TBBC’s collection has tens of thousands of book titles and dozens of periodicals available. Machines for playing the recorded materials are available on loan from TBBC. We also have an app for Apple & Android devices: BARD Mobile. Our services include:
- Audiobooks
- Audio Magazines
- Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD)
- BARD Mobile App
- Braille Books
- Large Print Books for Children, Teens & Young Adults.
Services for Librarians
Each new reader must complete an application and have it certified for eligibility for our services. To obtain an application, call us toll-free at 1-800-792-8322 or download an application from our web site. Everything shipped between TBBC and you is shipped postage-free as “Free Matter for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.”
To receive our services, you must apply. Visit our Apply for Service page to download applications.
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
