For the visually impaired, settling down with a good book is a lost and sorely missed pleasure. But help is readily available through the free Talking Book Program offered by the National Library Service (NLS) for the blind and physically handicapped.

This unique service provides thousands of recorded titles through the mail, postage-free. Since the NLS cassettes are recorded on four tracks at a non-commercial speed, a special playback machine is required and is also provided free of charge. U.S. residents of all ages are eligible for the program if they have difficulty reading regular printed materials because of a visual impairment, blindness, a physical disability that prevents them from holding a book or dyslexia.

“This is an invaluable service that only the public library system offers,” said Jeff Tomlinson, director of the Uncle Remus Regional Library System. “I only hope more members of our community who need the program will take advantage of it.”

According to Amelia Schwartz, retired librarian who is now a Library Board Trustee of the Morgan County Library, “Patrons who use the Talking Book Program are among the most energetic, articulate supporters of the library. A participant told me she was on the brink of despair when she could no longer read large-print books. ‘The recorded book service made one of my greatest pleasures possible again,’ she said.”

Applications are available at all neighborhood public libraries, from doctors, public health officials, optometrists, hospital staff, social workers, special education teachers and at www.loc.gov/nls. Eligibility must be certified by doctors of medicine, hospital or welfare agencies staff or professionals in various fields related to health care. At their discretion, librarians familiar with the applicant may do the certifying.

For more information, pick up a NLS brochure at your local library or contact the Northeast Georgia Talking Book Center, Athens-Clarke County Regional Library, 2025 Baxter St., Athens, GA 30606-6331; call (706) 613-3655 or (800) 531-2063; or visit clarke.public.lib.ga.us/talkingbooks/index.html.