Winter is almost here, and many of us are hanging up the hiking boots until spring and looking forward to cozying up with a good book. For people who are blind or low vision, the Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library (WTBBL) offers talking books in a variety of ways, whether you’re settling in with an old classic or stretching your brain with something new.
WTBBL is a branch of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), which was launched almost 100 years ago to ensure everyone had access to books. Since then, they’ve expanded to magazines, newspapers, music scores, and even some audio-described movies. The program is completely free of charge to anyone in Wisconsin who is blind or low vision or any other print-related disability.
“The NLS was first started for veterans in the 1930s, and later expanded to anyone who is blind or low vision or couldn’t read a traditional book,” says Katie Saldutte of WTBBL. “It started as an accessible service for anyone who couldn’t use standard print, and that’s still our mission today. We want to make sure everyone can enjoy reading.”
The talking books provided by WTBBL are very similar to those on phone apps like Audible or through the public library using apps like Libby. But there are some notable differences. First, all WTBBL talking books are free and have no waitlist. Second, WTBBL talking books can be listened to in a couple of different ways–either by downloading and listening on your computer or on a physical cartridge played on a talking book player.
While you can still order cartridges to be mailed to you as has been the case for years, some people may prefer to skip waiting for the mail and receive their talking books digitally. The Bard Express program allows you to access all books available through WTBBL on your computer at home, and new updates have made downloading and listening to them simple. Once downloaded, you can either listen to the books using an app on your phone or on your computer through the new Bard Express Talking Book Player.
“NLS has gone to great lengths to make Bard Express very accessible and user-friendly for access technology users to download and listen to books,” Access Technology Specialist Jim Denham says. “The iOS app is also very user-friendly. It’s one of the first apps I show people when they are learning to use an iPhone because of how easy it is to use.”
If you prefer to listen to talking books through the traditional cartridge player, you can still use Bard Express to quickly get the books you want. Plug either a USB drive or a blank talking book digital cartridge into your computer, download the book from Bard, and transfer it to your preferred device. You can buy a blank cartridge for your digital talking books at the Sharper Vision Store at Store.WCBlind.org/Store/Product/Digital-4GB-Cartridge-For-Talking-Book-Player.
WTBBL and Bard also offer digital braille books that can be read on a refreshable braille display. When downloading your talking books, make sure you are not accidentally downloading a braille book, as it will not play on a talking book player.
To sign up to receive books from the WTBBL, you must be certified by a qualified vision services provider or other certifier. You cannot sign up for the WTBBL on your own. The Council is able to certify someone who is blind or low vision for the program, as are many doctors, other vision services providers and some teachers.
You can find more information about WTBBL on their website at dpi.wi.gov/talkingbooks. If you have more questions on how to use talking books, or would like to sign up for the program, contact Jim Denham at JDenham@WCBlind.org, or call 608-237-8104.
