Audio Books are known as Talking Books at our library and within the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) system. This guide contains an introduction to how the Talking Books service works. We look forward to serving you and providing you with books.
The Connecticut Library for Accessible Books (CT LAB) has access to over 120,000 books in audio format. These materials are provided by the NLS. The NLS collection includes nonfiction and fiction, including bestsellers. Titles are available in a variety of world languages. The collection is intended to appeal to patrons of all ages.
Talking Books are loaded on to specially designed cartridges and sent to patrons. To listen to books, a Talking Book Cartridge is inserted into a Digital Talking Book Player. Talking Book players are provided to patrons, for free, as part of Talking Book service from CT LAB.
Each Talking Books cartridge can hold up to twelve books. Typically, patrons receive up to three cartridges at a time, with each cartridge containing six books, for a total of 18 books.
CT LAB patrons have access to approximately forty magazine titles in audio format. Contact CT LAB to learn more about available titles and to subscribe to magazines.
CT LAB patrons have access to the NLS music collection. This collection consists of music scores in braille and large print, music instruction books, and music appreciation books. For music materials, patrons should contact the NLS Music Section at (800) 424-8567 extension 2.
Call CT LAB at (860) 704-2220 or (800) 842-4516 to request books. Phone lines are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. This is the fastest way to order more books or make changes to your patron account.
Contact CT LAB with book requests via email at csl.AccessibleBooks@ct.gov. CT LAB staff can provide the same kind of assistance to patrons via email as on the telephone.
Patrons may mail written book requests to CT LAB at our mailing address:
CT Library for Accessible Books
786 South Main St.
Middletown, CT 06457
Place written requests inside a mailing envelope. Do not seal the envelope. In place of postage, write, Free Matter for the Blind, on the top right corner of the envelope.
CT LAB Reader’s Advisors assist patrons with book orders, searching the catalog, and updating patron accounts. When you call CT LAB, provide your name and we will connect you with your Reader’s Advisor.
As part of your application, you indicated how you want books to be selected for you. The two options are explained below.
Patrons using the request only service are sent Talking Book cartridges only when they contact CT LAB to request more books. If you have the maximum number (three) of cartridges checked out to you, you need to return at least one cartridge before more books are sent to you.
If you opted to have CT LAB select titles for you, we use the reading preferences that you selected on your application to choose books for you. You can also contact CT LAB to request specific titles that you want sent to you. When a patron on turnaround service returns a Talking Book cartridge to CT LAB, we automatically send them a new cartridge with books. Turnaround service ensures that books are sent to patrons as fast as they return cartridges to CT LAB.
There are no fixed loan periods for books on Talking Book Cartridges. If you have reached the maximum number of cartridges that can be checked out (3 cartridges), no additional cartridges will be sent to you until you return at least one cartridge.
There are several ways to search for books and browse the CT LAB Collection. Access the resources book discovery at our Find Books page
All Talking Books cartridges are mailed to patrons using the United States Postal Service (USPS). Materials are delivered and picked up postage-free by USPS. Talking Book cartridges are sent to patrons in specially designed plastic mailing containers. To remove a cartridge from its container, locate the two plastic straps that hold the cartridge lid closed. Lift the ends of the straps to release them from their closed position. To insert a cartridge into a digital talking book player, place the end of the cartridge that is opposite the hole in the cartridge into the player.
To return a Talking Book Cartridge, place the cartridge inside its plastic mailing container and press the straps into place to secure the cartridge lid. Remove the paper index card on the outside of the case. Removing the index card exposes a sticker with the CT LAB mailing address. Place the mailing container with your outgoing mail.
Your service can be adjusted at any time. Please call CT LAB and ask to speak with your Reader’s Advisor to make changes to your account. Common account changes include:
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