Talking Books and Braille Service for Nassau Residents
Nassau residents are eligible for both talking books and braille books through the New York Public Library’s Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library. To borrow audio or braille books from the Andrew Heiskell Library you must first register with them.
Eligibility
The Andrew Heiskell Library operates a books-by-mail program that delivers recorded and braille titles postage-free. Nassau residents are eligible if they have difficulty reading standard printed materials because of one or more of the following:
- You can’t see well enough to read conventional print. Specifically, you must: be legally blind (with vision in the better eye of 20/200 or less with correcting lenses), or have a visual field no greater than 20 degrees in diameter, or be unable to see well enough to focus long enough to read standard print, even with corrective lenses; or
- You have a permanent or temporary physical limitation which prevents you from holding a book or turning its pages. Physical disabilities which may prevent the ability to read include: multiple sclerosis, stroke, cerebral palsy, severe arthritis; paralysis; a missing arm or hand; lack of muscle coordination; prolonged weakness; or
- You have a physically-based reading disability. You must be certified by a doctor of medicine (MD) or osteopathy (DO) as having a reading or learning disability due to an organic dysfunction severe enough to prevent reading in the usual manner.
Application Required
You must fill out an application and return it to the Andrew Heiskell Library to confirm eligibility. More information on the application process can be found on their website. If you have a reading or learning disability, your application must be signed by a Medical Doctor or a Doctor of Osteopathy. Otherwise, your application may be signed by doctor or a professional (such as a social worker, teacher or librarian) who is familiar with the applicant’s disability.
Once Accepted
Once your application has been received and confirmed, the Andrew Heiskell Library will register you for service and send you the requested equipment. They will also send you an information packet containing a welcome letter, sample catalogs of available books, and a guide to library services (which explains how to use the library and how to get the best service for your reading needs).
Contact the Andrew Heiskell Library
The Nassau Library System pays for a toll-free number so Nassau residents can call the Andrew Heiskell Library: (855) 697-6975.
If you wish to speak with someone at Nassau Library System, please e-mail outreach@nassaulibrary.org or call (516) 292-8920 x273 during regular business hours.
