OLBPD

Eligibility

Any resident of the United States or American citizen living abroad who is unable to read or use standard print materials as a result of a temporary or permanent visual, physical, or neurological (e.g. dyslexia, etc.) limitation is eligible to receive service.

Materials

OLBPD patrons can expect to borrow audio and braille books and magazines such as they might find in print at a local public library. OLBPD also lends described DVD’s and Blu-Ray titles, as well as Playaway pre-loaded digital audio books. OLBPD does not lend large print books. Madison Public Library houses a large print collection. Check the public services department for books in large print.

Equipment and Accessories

OLBPD works in partnership with the State Library of Ohio Talking Book Program. The State Library of Ohio Talking Book Program acts as the machine lending agency loaning equipment and accessories to eligible participants for the State of Ohio. Equipment available includes digital talking book players in standard and advanced models, as well as player accessories such as headphones, flash drive elbow adapters, pillow speaker, breath switch, and a specialized high-volume player and headphones for patrons with significant hearing loss.

Downloading Books

BARD, the Braille and Audio Recordings Download service, offers downloadable books and magazines for patrons who are unable to read regular print due to a visual, print, or physical disability. BARD is a service offered by OLBPD and the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled at the Library of Congress. New titles are added regularly, including a growing number of locally produced materials.

The BARD Mobile app for Apple is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. It allows users to download and listen to talking books and to read braille books using a braille display. The BARD Mobile app for Android (including Amazon Kindle Fire devices) is also available that allows users access to audio materials on their Android devices. BARD Mobile can be downloaded through the App Store, Google Play store, and Amazon Appstore. BARD Express is a free Windows-based application that simplifies searching for, downloading, and transferring audio materials from BARD to a cartridge or a USB flash drive for playback on a digital player. An active BARD account is required to download, install, and use BARD Express.