Kansas Talking Books offers direct access to collections of reading and viewing material. Kansas Talking Books is also the conduit for patrons to access other services for patrons to get local news and weather alerts, receive Braille schedules for major sports leagues or to receive physical copies of digital books in Braille format. A description of these collections and services, with useful resources, are listed below.
Browse the collection then order on your computer. Anyone can browse the collection. Only registered Kansas Talking Book patrons, with username and password, can order items.
BARD is a service of the National Library Service (NLS) for the Blind and Print Disabled. The service is available to Talking Book patrons. Access requires an email and internet connection to download books, magazines, instructional music materials. BARD is available online and through an app. Use the links in Useful Resources for details on how to access BARD.
Kansas Talking Books and NLS offer magazines in a variety of topics and ages. Talking Books has national and local interest magazines for patrons. NLS offers more than 90 magazines available in either cartridge or braille hard copy or through BARD.
Kansas Talking Books staff produce local audio magazines, often with the help of volunteer narrators. These magazines are focus on living in Kansas and topics of interest to Kansans.
NEWSLINE is a free audio and braille service providing access to current and reliable information from local and national sources. NEWSLINE includes over 500 publications: national, state and international newspapers; breaking news sources and emergency weather alerts; magazines, television listings, retail ads and job listings. Subscribers to NEWSLINE can access the inforamtion a variety of ways: touch-tone telephone, website, Apple iOS mobile app and Amazon Alexa smart speakers. Subscribers can download publications to a digital Talking Book player or compabtible device. NEWSLINE offers a full access account and a limited access account for minors.
Kansas Talking Book braille patrons can request braille books or a braille eReader. Both are provided by the Utah State Library and the eReader is BARD compatibile. To request braille books or an eReader call 800-662-5540. View and request material for the eReader at the Utah State Library catalog.
The NLS allows Talking Book patrons to request a hard copy of any digital braille book available through BARD. Every Kansas Talking Book patron can order an embossed copy of a book, up to 5 books per month. The physical copy is sent to your home address through the U.S. postal mail. These books are yours to keep.
You can also place order by calling Talking Books at 800-362-0699.
A limited number of annual subscriptions to Bookshare, an online library of accessible ebooks, are available to Kansas Talking Books patrons. Bookshare library has over 960,000 titles in a variety of formats, in fiction and non-fiction, bestsellers, textbooks and career resources, as well as magazines. Download titles via internet connection. Titles are available to read on any device including smartphones, tablets, laptops, computers and assistive technology devices.
Kansas Talking Books offers videos with descriptive audio tracks in DVD and VHS format. The audio tracks provide enhanced narration to describe actions, settings, gestures and other key visual elements. The collection includes documentaries, like the NOVA series, popular and award winning films, and shows for kids including Disney movies.
Call 800-362-0699 to get an eCard or visit your local library.
Talking Books staff share news and updates on collections, services and programs on the blog, Talking Books Talk. The blog includes notices from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
Kansas Talking Books patrons can subscribe to automatically receive annual braille calendars. Patrons can also access braille and eBraille listings of games for these national sports leagues: MLB - Major League Baseball. NBA - National Basketball Association, WNBA - Women's National Basketball Association, NFL - National Football League, NHL - National Hockey League.
Call 800-362-0699 ext 3 to order
The State Library of Kansas offers digital books to all Kansans with a Kansas Library eCard. The clouldLibrary has audiobooks in fiction and non-fiction from popular authors and large publishers.
1 Kellogg Circle
PO Box 4055
Emporia KS 66801
Monday-Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.