Eligibility & Applications
Who Is Eligible?
The New Hampshire Talking Books Library provides free library service to those unable to read standard print materials. This may be due to a temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, perceptual, or reading disability, or a physical disability that prevents them from using regular print materials, turning pages, or hard to hold a book for an extended period of time. If temporary, we will provide service while it is needed and cancel when a person's health has improved to where reading is comfortable once more.
Certifying Authorities
Eligibility must be certified by one of the following: public or welfare agencies (such as an educator, a social worker, case worker, counselor, rehabilitation teacher, certified reading specialist, dyslexia specialist, school psychologist, superintendent, or librarian), registered nurse, therapist, professional staff of hospitals, institutions, doctor of medicine, doctor of osteopathy, ophthalmologist, optometrist, or psychologist. Certifying authorities are not permitted to certify relatives. Applicants cannot certify themselves.
Institutional Application
Facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, senior day care, assisted living homes and group homes, schools, and public libraries may also apply for the service by filling out an Institutional Application. This allows administration, staff, activity directors, librarians, and teachers to request services for eligible residents or students. We will provide a player and deposit collection for you to use as a demonstration of library services. We encourage each eligible student or resident to complete an Individual Application so we may better meet their reading needs.
Individual and Institutional applications and the eligibility criteria for talking book library services.
Adults 18 years of age and older whose low vision, blindness or disability makes reading regular printed material difficult can use our individual application form to become a Talking Books member.
Juveniles under 18 years of age whose low vision, blindness or disability makes reading regular printed material difficult must use the Individual Application with Parental Acknowledgement for NLS Services and Devices form to become a Talking Books member.
Institutions and agencies whose clientele includes those who are blind, low vision, or physically disabled are eligible for an institutional account. An institutional account allows an agency to check out materials and keep equipment for demonstrations and group activities. Use our institutional application form to become an institutional member of Talking Books. Please note: all schools and other institutions whose clientele is or may be under 18 years of age should contact the library for further information regarding the Parental Acknowledgement for NLS Services and Devices form requirement.
Examples of a Qualifying Disability
Examples of a Qualifying Disability
These are examples of physical problems that may be eligible:
- arthritis of hands & wrists
- blindness
- cataracts not ready for surgery
- dyslexia
- epilepsy not fully controlled
- full body cast
- head injuries
- macular degeneration
- multiple sclerosis
- muscular dystrophy
- stroke aftermath
- Stryker frame
