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.
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.
For More Information >>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Applications are still open for the National Federation of the Blind Engineering Quotient program (NFB EQ), a week long summer engineering program for blind and low vision teens from around the United States jam-packed with fun and learning!
Learn more here >>>>>> NFB EQ Application / National Federation of the Blind
Thank you for your interest in the 2019 NFB EQ program. This application will be open from January 15, 2019 through March 17, 2019. For more information about the program, please visit blindscience.org/nfbeq. If you have questions, please contact NFB at 410-659-9314, extension 2418 or stem@nfb.org.
The Board of Trustees of The New Jersey Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired (CBVI) is now accepting applications for the awarding of five scholarships to blind, vision impaired or deaf-blind individuals. Any CBVI consumer of any age, currently registered to receive services, who will be enrolled in a post-secondary accredited educational program of higher learning during the 2019 – 2020 academic year is eligible to apply.
Information on the scholarships to be awarded, the application and detailed instructions can be found on the CBVI web site at: www.cbvi.nj.gov/scholarships.html. Applications can be completed and submitted electronically on-line, however, you must also send the other required documentation to complete your application package.
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Notices will not be sent to students who are missing necessary documentation.
Applications and supporting documentation must be received by or before March 21, 2019 by mail to:
NJCBVI Scholarship Committee, P.O. Box 47017, 153 Halsey St. 6th Floor, Newark, NJ 07101-47017 or by Email to: CBVI.Scholarship@dhs.state.nj.us
Be My Eyes
Mr. Wiberg, who has retinitis pigmentosa, wondered what would happen if he enabled blind and partially sighted people to “borrow” the eyes of sighted volunteers for short amounts of time using smartphone technology.
Read the full article in Optometry Today (OT) on how the new technology, Be My Eyes, is transforming the lives of those who are blind or have low vision. >>>>>>>>>>
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.
