Notice: Beginning October 1, 2024, the Library of Congress will require that all NLS applications for free library service for individuals under the age of 18 include a parental acknowledgment for NLS services and devices. A parent or guardian must acknowledge that their child will receive services and equipment and will have access to the entire NLS catalog of reading material. All materials and equipment (including digital talking book cartridges, hard copy braille, players, and accessories) must be returned when no longer needed. The NLS standard patron application form has been revised to incorporate the required parent/guardian acknowledgment. Completed forms can be emailed to [email protected].

Idaho Talking Book Service

The Idaho Talking Book Service (TBS) is a free, convenient audiobook library service for Idahoans who are unable to read standard print due to low vision, blindness, or a physical, perceptual, or reading disability.

The service is completely free for users, who receive titles by downloading them and/or having the materials (on cartridges) mailed directly to and from their residence at no cost.

How It Works

Determine Eligibility

To utilize TBS, a person must have a qualifying condition, such as blindness, which can be certified by a medical professional, social worker, activities director of a care facility, public library staff member, and others.

Eligibility Requirements and Certified Authority List

Apply

Submit an application for yourself, someone else, an institution, or a school. Applications are available in English and Spanish. You can fill out the application on your computer, but it must be printed and submitted via email, mail, or fax.

Applications

Personalize Your Service

Once a TBS patron’s application has been approved, they or their caregiver will receive a phone call from a TBS customer service representative (CSR), who will set up the TBS account in a way that works best for the patron.

Maybe they love westerns and romance, or they can’t get enough biographies. There are more than 100,000 fiction and nonfiction audiobook titles available, along with about 70 magazines and a selection of locally recorded audiobooks and magazines about Idaho and the Northwest. Audiobooks can be chosen by genre, author, or title. The CSRs can even find books just from the name of a character.

There is also an online catalog to search for available titles. After patrons narrow down their reading choices, they can decide how many audiobooks they would like to receive and how often.

Receive Audiobooks

A new patron receives an easy-to-use player and their audiobooks, which are on a cartridge that effortlessly fits into the player. The audio cartridges are sent at no cost (for delivery or return) via the U.S. Postal Service. When a patron is ready to return a cartridge, they simply turn the mailing card over, slide it back into the case, and put the case in their outgoing mail. No trip to the post office needed.

Download Options

TBS audio titles can also be downloaded to a computer or device via the Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD). BARD Express is an easy way for patrons to access BARD on their computer. The BARD Mobile app is available from Google Play, the App Store, and Amazon for Android, iOS, and Kindle devices. Patrons or their caregivers can receive help with BARD from a TBS customer service representative.

Learn more about BARD

Questions?

Reach out to a customer service representative by phone or email. They are available to answer questions, help with the application, change a patron’s service, and even just chat about books.

[email protected]

208-334-2150

325 W. State St. Boise, ID 83702