The NJ State Library Talking Book and Braille Center (TBBC) offers free, home-delivered, accessible library services to New Jersey residents through its role as a network library of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), part of the Library of Congress.
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.
Who is eligible for TBBC’s services?
New Jersey Residents are Eligible
TBBC serves New Jersey residents of all ages, (children, teens, and adults) who have difficulty reading standard print or handling books due to blindness, vision loss, physical or perceptual impairments, or reading disabilities.
This includes individuals whose ability to read may be affected by:
- Blindness
- A Vision Impairment
- A Physical Impairment
- A Perceptual Impairment
- A Reading Disability
Eligible individuals can choose from the following no-cost, home-delivered services:
- Long-term loan of a digital audiobook player;
- Loans of audiobooks on digital cartridges;
- Downloadable audiobooks;
- Audio magazines and Braille;
- Loans of Braille Books;
- And access to an audio news reading service.
All equipment and audiobooks are property of the U.S. Library of Congress. Any unused equipment or audiobooks should be returned to TBBC.
Download an application below.
Places that Serve Qualifying NJ Residents are Eligible
Any place that “might be expected to include” at any time clients who meet our eligibility criteria can apply for an institutional account.
Examples include:
- Assisted living centers;
- Continuing care communities;
- Hospitals;
- Nursing homes;
- Rehabilitation centers;
- and schools for the blind.
A facility can have audiobook players, audiobooks, Braille books, and a Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) account for downloading audiobooks and magazines.
BARD is a service offered by the NLS.
These places can also register individuals for individual accounts. These institutional applications are called deposit accounts, but there is no cost. All equipment and audiobooks are property of the U.S. Library of Congress. Any unused equipment or audiobooks should be returned to TBBC.
The institutional deposit account application should be completed, signed, and then faxed, scanned and then emailed, or mailed back to TBBC. Information is below.
Download an application below.
Libraries Are Eligible
Libraries may have deposit accounts and can have:
- Long-term loans of audiobook players;
- A collection of audiobooks;
- and a collection of Braille books to use with patrons.
Libraries can also register their patrons for individual accounts.
All equipment and audiobooks are property of the U.S. Library of Congress. Any unused equipment or audiobooks should be returned to TBBC.
The library deposit account application should be completed, and faxed, scanned and then emailed, or mailed back to TBBC. Information is below.
Download an application below.
Applications
Applications frequently get updated because of changes to laws and policies. Please discard any paper applications you may have and only use the form on this page, or from NLS.
Individuals (English)
The individual application needs to be completed and certified. Information on certification can be found on the page of the application titled “REQUIRED TO BE COMPLETED BY CERTIFYING AUTHORITY.”
- Updated February 2025 – Please discard older versions.
- Application for Library Services and Certificate of Eligibility (PDF)
- Eligibility Criteria for Individuals and Certification from NLS
- Spanish language applications may be found at the NLS website
Institutions
- Eligibility Criteria for Institutions from NLS.
- Places that serve NJ residents who meet our eligibility criteria, including public libraries, may apply for an account as an institution.
- Please email TBBC at tbbc@njstatelib.org for more information.
Certified applications can submitted by:
- Emailed to us at: tbbc@njstatelib.org
- Faxed to us at: 609-406-7181
- Mailed to us at: P.O. Box 501, Trenton NJ 08625
- The last page of the application is a return label; a stamp is needed.
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.