Idaho Talking Book Service Catalog (KLAS)

This Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) allows users to order books from the Idaho Talking Book Service directly from their computers and download digital titles from BARD or the Shelf Project. Anyone may search the catalog, but only those eligible to use the Idaho Talking Book Service can order from it. Additional information and search tips.

BARD Database

A list of digital titles currently available for download. Users must be registered to use the Talking Book Service and must register to use BARD.

How do I sign up to download from BARD?

If you haven’t done so,

1. first submit an Application.
2. Once approved, you can Register to use BARD.
3. Here are additional Registration and Download Instructions.

The Talking Book Service has more than 85,000 audio books and 70 magazine titles from which to choose. The collection contains fiction and non-fiction topics ranging from astronomy to westerns. Reading levels range from very easy to adult. Books are available in many languages in addition to English. Plus, users can receive books and magazines in Braille, enjoy books about Idaho’s history and lifestyle, and listen to more than 200 daily newspapers!

Registered users can request books via the online library catalog, by supplying their reading interests and having books automatically selected from those topics, by downloading from an online database, or by scanning paper or audio catalogs for recently recorded books.

Locally Recorded Materials

The Talking Book Service records audio books and magazines about Idaho and the Pacific Northwest and currently has more than 800 books and several magazines available. Contact the Talking Book Service to receive a login and password to download via the Shelf Project database.

Magazines

More than 70 titles on a variety of topics! Select magazines from the following lists:

Online Databases

Download from these online databases and never have to wait for a title again! Requires a computer, high speed Internet access, and ability to manipulate files.

BARD:

• More than 65,000 audio magazine and book titles professionally recorded by the National Library Service.
• Audio titles on topics of local interest recorded by regional libraries
• More than 15,000 Braille titles

Shelf Project: Hundreds of books about Idaho and the Pacific Northwest history, geography, and other topics recorded by volunteers at the Talking Book Service. Contact the Talking Book Service to sign up.

Braille books and magazines

Braille readers receive paper Braille books and magazines from Utah via the USPS. Contact the Talking Book Service at 800.458.3271 to register for this free service.

Kids Zone

Audio, Braille, and print/braille books in the NLS collection for preschool through grade 8.

Newsline

Listen to more than 300 daily newspapers from across the U.S., including 3 titles with Idaho news: The Idaho Statesman (southwest Idaho), Post Register (eastern Idaho), and The Spokesman-Review (northern Idaho) Users also can listen to magazines, local TV listings, job listings and more! Contact the Talking Book Service for more information or to receive your password to use Newsline free of charge.

Connections – TBS News

Keep current on the latest news with the quarterly newsletter. Receive in large print, audio format, via email or the Shelf Project. Listen to the newsletter podcast.

Music materials

Enjoy audio, braille, and large-print music scores, texts, and other instructonal music materials. Listen to an overview of the free service.

Other resources:

Access to these fee-based resources is not part of the Talking Book Service, but these resources provide additional sources and types of reading materials. Titles from these resources will play on the Talking Book Digital player with a free User Authorization Key (UAK) provided by the vendor.

Bookshare: More than 150,000 digital books, textbooks, newspapers and magazines available for download and accessiblein multiple formats. No access fees for students of all ages.

Learning Ally: 75,000 audio textbooks and literature titles downloadable and accessible on mainstream as well as specialized assistive technology devices.

Louis Catalog: Maintained by the American Printing House for the Blind (APH), the Louis Database of Accessible Materials contains information on accessible print materials produced by about 160 organizations throughout the United States. Materials are available in braille, large print, audio, and electronic file format. To purchase materials developed by APH, visit ShopAPH.

Louis Plus: This database locates accessible instructional materials in Louis, the National Instructional Materials Acess Center, and Bookshare.