Talking Books

The CKLS Talking Book Service provides books and magazines in braille and recorded format and playback equipment to any Kansas citizen unable to use standard print materials because of a visual or physical impairment.

CKLS Talking Book Service operates under the Kansas Regional Talking Books Library, a division of the Kansas State Library. The regional library is located on the campus of Emporia State University. It functions to coordinate the services throughout the state, provide audio recordings of books and magazines directly to users, maintain a back-up interlibrary loan collection of books, make duplicate replacements for damaged digital cartridges, provide reference service, and act as liaison between the Kansas Network and the Library of Congress.

The Library of Congress, using a network of libraries throughout the United States, provides free talking book and braille service which is designed to meet the cultural and recreational reading needs of eligible readers by providing:

  • a well-rounded leisure-reading collection
  • bibliographic access to the collection
  • equipment adapted to readers’ needs
  • timely registration and service
  • helpful response to requests for information
  • timely and accurate circulation of books and playback equipment

National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) has produced three short testimonial videos featuring patrons of the braille and talking book program. These videos are posted on the Library of Congress YouTube channel. Links with a short description of each video are below.

NLS Braille and Talking Books and Magazines

NLS patrons speak about the benefits of receiving free braille and talking books, magazines, and music materials in the mail: The freedom to read their way. (1:50)

NLS BARD and BARD Mobile

Patrons speak about the benefits of downloading free braille and talking books, magazines, and music materials through the NLS Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) and BARD Mobile. (1:55)

NLS Music Materials

Patrons speak about the benefits of receiving free audio, braille, and large-print music scores, texts, and other instructional materials and recordings in the mail or downloading them through BARD. (2:26)

Please share these videos on your web pages and social media accounts and use them in your outreach efforts.