The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress provides free recorded and brailled books to eligible adults and children. The Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the Cleveland Public Library serves as the Regional Library for the fifty-five northern Ohio counties.

Anyone who cannot read regular print with conventional eye-glass correction, who cannot hold a book or turn a page, or who cannot read print because of a neurological handicap (e.g., dyslexia) is eligible for Talking Book library service. Request an application from the Regional Library, State Library of Ohio or from your local public library. State your disability on the form and have it signed by a competent authority such as a doctor, optometrist, registered nurse, professional health worker, or in the absence of any of these, a professional librarian. In the case of a neurological handicap, the application must be signed by a doctor of medicine or osteopathy.

Complete books are recorded by professional narrators onto cassettes or discs. More than a thousand new titles are added to the collection each year. Braille, a system of writing using raised dots, adds almost four hundred titles each year. Volunteer agencies such as the taping and brailling services of the Cleveland Sight Center help the Library increase the scope of available books, especially those of regional interest.

Many popular magazines reflecting a broad range of taste and interests are available in braille, on discs or on cassettes. A few of the selections include American Heritage, Good Housekeeping, Sports Illustrated, Reader's Digest, Newsweek, Ebony and Guideposts.

The Library also provides onsite computer access to reference sources in large print, braille and "voice" output.

Specialized items such as brailled sports schedules and tax forms, raised line maps and recorded and brailled foreign language books are also available. The Music Services section of the National Library Service lends large-type musical scores and instructional materials in braille and recorded forms.

Special cassette and phonograph players are available to Talking Book users and are distributed in Ohio by a network of libraries and community agencies under the supervision of the State Library of Ohio. Equipment is provided at no cost for as long as the individual needs it. Various attachments such as remote control units and amplifiers are available to patrons with special needs. All materials are mailed postage free at all times.

Catalogs and special booklists, updated regularly, keep readers informed about new books. The Regional Library sends newsletters to readers in large print, braille, or on cassette. Messages and requests are taken 24 hours a day on a toll-free telephone line: 1.800.362.1262.