| Patron Handbook |
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| General Information |
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The Oregon State Library’s Talking Book and Braille Services (TBABS) is a free, tax supported library service located in Salem, Oregon. It loans books and magazines in special formats to anyone who cannot see to read regular print, hold a book to turn its pages, or who has a physically based reading disability. All of the lending is done free through the mail. TBABS is part of the Oregon State Library, which is an agency of the State of Oregon. TBABS is also part of the Library of Congress, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) network of regional libraries.
TBABS loans books and magazines in audio and Braille format. Because the audio books are in a specialized format, TBABS loans specially designed audio players to patrons who request audio book service. TBABS also repairs, at no cost, the equipment loaned to its patrons.
TBABS has leisure reading books and magazines like those you would find in your local public library. However, listening music is not available, but instructional music materials and musical scores can be obtained directly from the National Library Service (NLS). We can supply information to you about this music service upon request.
For information or questions about our services, TBABS offers a toll free telephone line 1-800-452-0292 for use throughout the state of Oregon, as well as a local Salem number 503-378-5389, and TTY relay telephone number 503-378-4334. You may also send us an email at tbabs.info@state.or.us, or visit our website at www.tbabs.org.
Reference resources are not available from TBABS, although information about other services or products for those who are blind or visually impaired is available. For answers to general reference questions, you may visit http://www.oregonlibraries.net/ or call your local public library.
In addition to our core service of making audio and Braille books available through the mail, TBABS also offers additional services. As always, there is no subscription or registration fee; all services are free. These services include:
BARD: Braille and Audio Reading Download
BARD makes complete digital books and magazine issues that have been recorded by the NLS available for download at home. These are the same books that you are able to borrow from TBABS. To subscribe to this service you must have a computer, Internet access, active email address, and a compatible audio book player. A user ID and password are required to use BARD.
Unabridged: Downloadable Audio Books
The Unabridged service provides commercial digital audio books, which are downloaded to your computer via the Internet and can be transferred to CD or an MP3 player. To subscribe to this service you must have a compatible computer with an Internet connection. A user ID and password are required to use Unabridged Downloadable Audio Books.
NFB-NEWSLINE
Would you like a newspaper with your morning cup of coffee? Then sit back and enjoy the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) newspaper service called NFB-NEWSLINE. You will have access to over 230 newspapers (including several in the Spanish language) through a toll free phone number, email, or on the web. Of local interest are the Oregonian, the Statesman Journal, the Eugene Register Guard, and the Oregon Associated Press newswire. A user ID and password are required to access NFB-NEWSLINE.
Web-Braille
If you want to read Braille on-line or download Braille reading materials at your convenience, then check out Web-Braille! Web-Braille is an Internet-based service that provides, in an electronic format, many Braille books, some music scores, and all Braille magazines produced by the NLS to library users with Braille embossers, refreshable Braille displays, and other Braille-aware devices. To use Web-Braille you must have a compatible computer with an Internet connection. Users provide their own equipment and must have an active e-mail address. A user ID and password are required to use Web-Braille.
Descriptive Videos
Are you a movie lover? Check out our collection of over 400 Descriptive Video titles. Descriptive videos play in any VCR, but they have a special sound track that describes the visual elements of the movie. Patrons may borrow one descriptive video at a time, and the loan period is three weeks. To play these videos you must supply your own VHS video tape player. Call TBABS to request a catalog of our available titles.
Voter’s Guide
Vote independently! The Secretary of State, League of Women Voters and Talking Books provide free, non-partisan voting guides to all active patrons over 17 years old. These guides are available on cassette, in Braille, in large print, on CD, and on our website. During an election year, the guides are provided for both the primary and the general elections. If you’re interested in the voter’s guide, let us know what format will work best for you.
Magazines
Magazines in special formats, including audio, digital Braille (Web-Braille), and press Braille, are available free of charge to patrons. Popular titles include National Geographic, Sports Illustrated, True West, and Consumer Reports. To request a catalog of available magazines on audio and in Braille, please call TBABS and ask for a copy of the Magazines in Special Media catalog.
If you are interested in signing up for any of the above services or need additional information, please go to the TBABS website: www.tbabs.org or call 1-800-452-0292 and speak with a TBABS representative.
Free Matter for the Blind
Materials sent to and from TBABS are considered Free Matter for the Blind. No stamps or other postage is required. The Free Matter status is a mailing class allowed by the post office due to appropriations Congress makes to the United States Postal Service for this privilege, and certain regulations must be observed.
Braille, large type (in 14 point typeface, like as you see here), sound recordings, and special reproducers or adaptive equipment (as defined by the Domestic Mail Manual) qualify to be mailed as Free Matter as long as certain conditions are met. These conditions include the following:
- The matter must be unsealed so it may be opened for postal inspection.
- The matter contains no advertising.
- The matter must be for the use of the blind or other persons who cannot use or read conventionally printed material because of a physical disability, and who are certified by competent authority as unable to read normal reading materials.
- The matter must show in the upper right corner of the address side the words Free Matter for the Blind.
- Handwritten letters, regardless of the print size, do not qualify as Free Matter for the Blind. Only letters that have been typed in 14 point print or larger qualify.
- Letters or notes, regardless of format, should not be enclosed in a mailing container for Braille or recorded books, or in a mailing container for equipment.
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