Georgia Library Service (gls) for the Blind & Print Disabled
NLS en Español
The National Library Service (NLS) has launched a Spanish-language website to help connect Spanish speakers to a large and growing collection of Spanish books and magazines.
Readers with low vision or blindness, or a disability that prevents them from using regular print materials can find information about NLS, apply for service, as well as find various resources and library materials in Spanish with ease. Take a look and share with your favorite Spanish-language readers: https://www.loc.gov/nls/es/
Braille On Demand
Active GLS patrons can now request and receive up to five hard-copy braille titles per month, which are theirs to keep. Any braille book available on BARD is eligible to be produced in hard copy by this program. Books are mailed directly to the patron.
Complete the NLS Braille On Demand Request Form to place your order. If you need help completing the form, call GLS at 1-800-248-6701 toll free, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
About GLS
GLS provides vital reading materials in accessible formats. Individuals are eligible for GLS if they are blind, low vision, or physically unable to hold a book and turn the page. GLS services are also available to persons with reading disabilities such as dyslexia.
All potential patrons must enroll in GLS services and have their application signed by a certifying authority. That certifying authority must be someone who can attest to the condition that is making a person eligible. This is typically a physician, a nurse, a professional caregiver, therapist or educator– sorry relatives cannot certify people. A librarian can certify patrons as well.
What does GLS offer patrons?
GLS Atlanta
First Floor
One Margaret Mitchell Square, NW
Atlanta, GA 40403
1-800-248-6701
(Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm EST)
The National Library Service (NLS) has launched a Spanish-language website to help connect Spanish speakers to a large and growing collection of Spanish books and magazines.
Readers with low vision or blindness, or a disability that prevents them from using regular print materials can find information about NLS, apply for service, as well as find various resources and library materials in Spanish with ease. Take a look and share with your favorite Spanish-language readers: https://www.loc.gov/nls/es/
Braille On Demand
Active GLS patrons can now request and receive up to five hard-copy braille titles per month, which are theirs to keep. Any braille book available on BARD is eligible to be produced in hard copy by this program. Books are mailed directly to the patron.
Complete the NLS Braille On Demand Request Form to place your order. If you need help completing the form, call GLS at 1-800-248-6701 toll free, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
About GLS
GLS provides vital reading materials in accessible formats. Individuals are eligible for GLS if they are blind, low vision, or physically unable to hold a book and turn the page. GLS services are also available to persons with reading disabilities such as dyslexia.
All potential patrons must enroll in GLS services and have their application signed by a certifying authority. That certifying authority must be someone who can attest to the condition that is making a person eligible. This is typically a physician, a nurse, a professional caregiver, therapist or educator– sorry relatives cannot certify people. A librarian can certify patrons as well.
What does GLS offer patrons?
- Access to a collection of over 100,000 narrator-read audiobooks produced by NLS
- Access to the 950,000+ titles in the Bookshare collection, in a variety of formats including text-to-speech audio, braille or highlight text
- Access to embossed and digital braille A digital talking book machine that is very simple to use
- Free postage to return materials
- Reader advisory, helping patrons select books that they will enjoy
- An app that allows instant access to audiobooks for mobile devices for those who are comfortable with technology
- Access to the large print collection from the entire PINES network (we mail the books to patrons via Free Matter for the Blind and offer extended due dates)
- Access to a collection of audio described popular movies on DVD or Blu-Ray
- Remote programming include book clubs, children’s summer reading programs, peer support groups
- (When not in a pandemic) Live programs such as keyboard class, iPhone class, book discussion groups.
- Books: Recorded and braille books from a national collection that includes a variety of popular interest writings such as bestsellers, classics, mysteries, biographies, westerns, children’s books, and foreign language materials.Search the catalog for books
- Magazines: Library patrons can also subscribe to over seventy popular magazines such as Good Housekeeping, Sports Illustrated, and National Geographic.Search the catalog for magazines
- Equipment and Accessories: Special playback equipment is needed to listen to the books and magazines produced by NLS. This equipment is lent to eligible users free of charge for as long as the individual is a user of the reading material provided by NLS and its cooperating libraries. Accessories are available which will help readers with limited mobility or hearing impairment use the equipment.
- Book Reviews and Catalogs: Registered borrowers learn about new books added to the collection through two bi-monthly publications, Talking Book Topics and Braille Book Review. These are available in large print, recorded, or braille format.
- Music: Recorded music is not available through the NLS library program. However, such material is often available from local public libraries. A collection of musical scores in braille and large print; textbooks and books about music in large print and braille; and elementary instruction for voice, piano, organ, guitar, recorder, accordion, banjo, and harmonica are available in the recorded form directly from NLS. If you’re a GLS patron you can call NLS for music instruction materials at 800-424-8567.
GLS Atlanta
First Floor
One Margaret Mitchell Square, NW
Atlanta, GA 40403
1-800-248-6701
(Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm EST)