Talking Books
- General Info
- Talking Book Service
- Dakota Radio Information Service
- Related Info
- Volunteer Opportunities
North Dakota State Library Talking Books offers an array of services for citizens of North Dakota who are unable to read standard print materials because of a visual, physical, or reading disability. Two programs are available for those who qualify for these services: Talking Books and Dakota Radio Information Services (DRIS).
The Talking Books program provides patrons with free access to talking books and magazines. The Talking Books program is administered by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), a division of the Library of Congress.
Dakota Radio Information Services (DRIS) broadcasts local newspapers over a closed circuit radio to the patrons in the middle and western portion of the state. In addition to local news, DRIS also broadcasts a nationally syndicated radio program twenty-four hours a day. These programs utilize volunteers who read newspapers on the radio, record books and magazines, and provide other valuable services to keep this program running smoothly.
Contact Information
Please contact us if:
- you have a question about your service
- your name, address, or telephone number changes
- you need to transfer your service to another state or country
- you want to order books by phone
- your player is broken, lost, or stolen
- you need a replacement for a damaged or incomplete book
- you wish to discontinue service temporarily or permanently
Talking Books
701-328-1408
Talking Book Request Line
800-843-9948
TDD
701-328-4923, or
800-892-8622
E-mail
tbooks@nd.gov
Mailing Address
North Dakota State Library Talking Books
604 East Boulevard Ave. – Dept. 250
Bismarck, ND 58505-0800
The Talking Books program provides patrons with free access to talking books and magazines. The Talking Books program is administered by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), a division of the Library of Congress.
For more information about the transition to digital talking books, please read our recent news release,
Digital Talking Book Players and Books Debut in North Dakota.
Eligibility
- Persons who are totally and legally blind.
- Persons with visual disabilities who are unable to read standard print clearly and comfortably for a reasonable length of time.
- Persons with physical disabilities who cannot hold a book, turn pages, or focus on printed material due to muscle or nerve deterioration, paralysis, or some other disabling condition.
- Persons with reading or learning disabilities certified by medical doctors as having an organic dysfunction of sufficient severity to prevent reading printed material in a normal manner.
- Persons unable to read due to a temporary visual/physical disability (such as recuperation from surgery) for the duration of the disabling condition.
Services Available
- Recorded Books on Digital Cartridges, Cassettes, Large Print Books, and Braille Books
The book collection consists of popular fiction, non-fiction general informational and recreational materials for all ages and tastes, similar to that found in a public library. Patrons may also request books by North Dakota authors, as well as books about North Dakota. - Magazines
There are more than 70 magazines available in cassette format. - Digital and Cassette Players
North Dakota State Talking Book Library lends digital and cassette players for use with talking books. A number of accessories, such as headphones, are available upon request. - BARD
Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) is a service offered through NLS that allows patrons to download books off a NLS website to a computer. The books can then be transferred to a blank cartridge similar to the ones NLS uses, or to a USB flash drive and then played on the NLS digital player. - Free mailing
Books, magazines, players and catalog book orders may be sent and returned via the US Postal Service without cost, thanks to a Free Matter for the Blind and Handicapped mailing privilege. - Reader Advisory
Talking Book staff offers patrons a variety of services, including helping to choose books and subject bibliographies, solving service problems, locating and obtaining books from other states, referral to alternative resources and reference services.
For more information about Talking Books, please view the Talking Books brochure. If you would like to apply for the Talking Books program, please complete and print the Talking Book Service Application form, ask a certifying authority to complete and sign their section, and mail to the address on the top of the form.
BARD Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Search the NLS online catalog using Voyager
Talking Books: Titles Recorded at the State Library (pdf)
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS)
Dakota Radio Information Service (DRIS) is a reading radio broadcast for persons with print impairments. This broadcast is available 24 hours a day for patrons. The local news is read live each weekday and is rebroadcast in the evening.
DRIS is received with a closed circuit radio that is provided free of charge by the North Dakota State Library.
Eligibility
- Persons who are totally and legally blind.
- Persons with visual disabilities who are unable to read standard print clearly and comfortably for a reasonable length of time.
- Persons with physical disabilities who cannot hold a book, turn pages, or focus on printed material due to muscle or nerve deterioration, paralysis, or some other disabling condition.
- Persons with reading or learning disabilities certified by medical doctors as having an organic dysfunction of sufficient severity to prevent reading printed material in a normal manner.
- Persons unable to read due to a temporary visual/physical disability (such as recuperation from surgery) for the duration of the disabling condition.
The Dakota Radio Information Service Application form can be filled in online. After you have filled in the form, print it, ask a certifying authority to complete and sign their section, and mail to the address on the top of the form.
Dakota Radio Information Service Program Schedules
General
(pdf)Detailed - June 2012 (pdf)
