A 501(c)(3) charity · Est. 1999 · Phoenix, Arizona
That all may read.
Arizona Friends of Talking Books supports the Arizona Talking Book Library, which mails free audio and braille books to children and adults across Arizona who cannot read standard print because of vision impairment, a physical disability, or a reading disability.
The library serves people who are blind or have low vision, dyslexia, Parkinson’s, or an injury that makes holding a book hard. Free, from age 5 to 105.
Who we serve
Free books for anyone, at any age, who cannot read standard print.
The Arizona Talking Book Library is a free public library for anyone in Arizona who cannot use standard print, whether the barrier is what you can see, what you can hold, or how you process words on a page.
All ages, 5 to 105. Children, teens, adults, and seniors who are blind or have low vision, a reading disability, or a condition that makes holding a book hard.
Vision
Blindness, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and other low vision.
Physical
Parkinson’s, MS, stroke, or anything that makes holding a book hard.
Reading
Dyslexia and other reading or learning disabilities.
Not sure? A doctor, nurse, teacher, therapist, or librarian can certify you.
Full list of qualifying conditions
What the Friends do
Public funding runs the library. Donors pay for what it cannot afford.
State and federal funding pays for staff, postage, and the national collection. The Friends raise the money for local recordings, described movies, players, and outreach.
- 01
Local recording studios
Volunteers record Arizona history, Southwest authors, and regional magazines that the national program does not record. Over 2,000 titles so far, on cartridge and on BARD.
- 02
Audio-described movies
A DVD collection with audio description, paid for by donors, mailed free to any patron who asks.
- 03
Advocacy & outreach
Most eligible Arizonans have not heard of the library. We visit clinics, schools, and senior centers to find them, and we advocate for the service with state and federal officials.
- 04
Volunteer programs
Training, equipment, and appreciation for the volunteers who narrate, review, and repair players.
Your gift helps an Arizonan read again.
Your tax-deductible donation funds recordings, players, and outreach. Giving takes about a minute.