MCB Braille and Talking Book Library (BTBL)

If you have a vision disability (or several other disabilities), you can borrow audio or braille books by mail, for free, from

http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,1607,7-154-28077_54234---,00.html

Eligible individuals are children or adults who are:

•     Legally Blind (visual acuity of 20/200 or less in better eye with correcting glasses or the widest diameter of visual field subtending an angular distance no greater than 20 degrees)
•     Visually Impaired (lacks visual acuity to read standard printed materials without special aids or devices other than regular glasses)
•     Unable to hold a book or turn pages (examples include being without arms or use of arms; impaired or weakened muscle and nerve control; limitations resulting from strokes, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, polio, arthritis)
•     Unable to read because of a reading disability resulting from an organic dysfunction (this disability requires the signature of a medical or osteopathic doctor as certifying authority)

The application is at

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dleg/BTBL_application_form_349081_7.pdf

You can search for books online at this link and you can also order books at this link.  You can also reach a Reader Advisor at 800-992-9012 or by e-mailing BTBL@michigan.gov.

BTBL Reader Advisors assist patrons in a number of ways. They:

•     Send out books
•     Conduct searches based on author, title, title number or book series
•     Place orders for catalogs
•     Assist patrons in finding books based on personal reading interests
•     Begin and cancel service for magazine subscriptions as well as check on the status of subscriptions if service is interrupted
•     Search for materials not carried at the BTBL locally (some of these items can be obtained through inter-library loan), including foreign language books on cassette
•     Place orders for equipment to replace machines that have stopped functioning correctly
•     Provide reference service