Talking Books
The Washington Talking Book & Braille Library houses a varied collection of books and magazines on cassette. Special cassette players needed to play these materials are provided free of charge to registered users.
Braille Books
The braille book collection includes adult and children's books. A special children's collection of books combines print and braille so that blind and sighted readers may share their reading enjoyment.
Large Print
Large print books are available for registered readers who cannot easily read conventional size print.
Magazines
WTBBL offers free subscriptions to many popular magazines, newsletters, and sports schedules on cassette, in braille, and in large print. Lists of available magazines:
For more information about available magazines, contact WTBBL's magazine desk directly at 206-615-0416 or through our receptionist using the phone numbers listed below.
Youth Services
WTBBL offers braille, large print, and audio cassette books for children of all ages, from toddlers to teens, for home and school. The Library offers a by-mail summer reading program, performances and events for children and their families, and an accessible children's room with toys, a VCR player, and computer equipment. For details, use the link above to go to the Children's Services page or send an e-mail to the children's librarian at wtbbl@sos.wa.gov or contact the children's librarian through our receptionist using the phone numbers listed below.
Deposit Collections
Deposit collections of large print and cassette books may be loaned to libraries, schools, senior centers, and long-term care facilities throughout the State of Washington.
Audio Book and Brailled Book Production
Audio books and brailled books by Pacific Northwest authors and about the Pacific Northwest are produced at WTBBL and are available, as are children's books and special interest subjects not available elsewhere.
Partial lists of braille books and partial lists of digitally-mastered cassette books produced locally at the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library can be viewed at the link Audio and Braille Books Locally-Produced at WTBBL. Braille books are available on-line for download as web-braille books. A partial list of digital audio books produced locally at WTBBL is available at the link Word Document List of Downloadable Audio Books. Digital audio books produced at WTBBL can be downloaded at the link Log in to Download Audio Books.
The Collection Development Policy of WTBBL includes selection criteria for local production of audio and braille material.
Braille Transcription Class
WTBBL offers a free course in braille transcription in 22 lessons on Wednesday evenings from January to June. This is a six-month class with computer homework and pc-based software provided. Classes meet at the Library. For more information, contact the Library and ask for the Volunteer Coordinator.
Evergreen Radio Reading Service
Information of immediacy such as newspapers, grocery ads, shopping news, magazines, and special news for those who cannot easily read regular print is provided in the Puget Sound area and parts of Eastern Washington. Special radio receivers are provided free of charge. Seattle Times article of June 6, 2005, describing WTBBL's Evergreen Radio Reading Service. The ERRS brochure is available as a Word document. Listen to the Live Webstream of the Evergreen Radio Reading Service
Reference
The Washington Talking Book & Braille Library offers reference service on issues of blindness, physical disabilities, and issues of general interest. You can contact the reference librarians through our receptionist using the phone numbers listed below. Reference services are also available by using InfoEyes, an online virtual reference and information service for the visually impaired.
Live Online Conference Room
The Washington Talking Book & Braille Library offers live online Internet/Web voice conferencing for programs, conferences, and other online chat and conference services. Use the link directly above to link to WTBBL's online conference room. An audio-recording of the Library's most recent online book discussion program can be accessed at Persepolis.
CCTV Demonstrations
Demonstrations of closed circuit magnifiers (CCTV) are available by appointment.
On-line Public Access Catalog (OPAC)
If you use a computer connected to the internet, you can find out about all the books in the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library's (WTBBL) collection. Use the link directly above to connect to WTBBL's OPAC page.
WTBBL Brochure
The Library's informational brochure provides basic information about the Library and many of the services provided.
Patron Art Show
The week-long Patron Art Show held at WTBBL in October, 2009, showcased art created by several WTBBL patrons and marks the first of what may become an annual event. Use the link above to learn more details of this past event and see photographs from the Opening Reception for the event.