By Elizabeth Burns and Stephen Felle

The New Jersey State Library Talking Book and Braille Center (TBBC), an affiliate of Thomas Edison State University, is pleased to announce that the list of professionals who can certify an application for our library has recently been expanded. 

TBBC loans audiobooks and braille to people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical, perceptual, or reading disability that prevents them from using regular print materials. This is part of a national program from the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS).  

How does TBBC know whether someone qualifies for services? An applicant does not need to provide any medical records or prescriptions. Instead, someone familiar with the applicant, who is qualified to determine that the person is eligible for services, signs TBBC’s application, certifying that the applicant qualifies for services. The person signing the application is called a “competent authority” or a “certifying authority.” 

Who can, and cannot, be a certifying authority is defined by law. Those of you familiar with TBBC’s services may remember that applicants with reading disabilities needed to have the application certified by a medical doctor or a doctor of osteopathy.

Good news!

Applicants with reading disabilities are no longer treated differently than those who are blind, have low vision, or have a physical reason they cannot read a book. Their applications no longer have to be certified by an M.D. or D.O. 

In addition, the list of people who can be a “certifying authority” has expanded to include professionals involved in diagnosing reading disabilities. Educators, school psychologists, and certified reading specialists can now sign the application on behalf of any applicant. Others who can sign the application include doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, ophthalmologists, optometrists, registered nurses, and therapists; as well as professional staff of hospitals, institutions, and public or welfare agencies such as social workers, case workers, counselors, rehabilitation teachers, superintendents, or librarians.  

TBBC has tens of thousands of fiction and nonfiction audiobooks, all of which have professional narration. Many of these books are not available commercially; they were created specifically by NLS for our patrons. This means they are only available from TBBC. Other times, the commercial audiobook (the one you can find in libraries and bookstores) is also available from TBBC. Our easy to use BARD Mobile app lets patrons download and listen to our entire audiobook collection right from their mobile device. If using a smartphone or tablet isn’t possible for a student, TBBC loans machines to listen to the books. TBBC library members also have access to NFB-NEWSLINE, which provides audio versions of national, international, and local newspapers. All of these services are provided with no waitlists and no cost to the patron. 

TBBC’s collection of world language reading materials is expanding significantly because of the Marrakesh Treaty, an international agreement that more than 100 countries signed on to. This treaty helps countries across the world share accessible versions of their books more easily.  

With these changes and updates, college and university staff members who are eligible certifying authorities may now sign applications for their students. This could be staff from your school’s library, health, or disability services department. Our most up to date application can always be found online at the Apply for Services page on our website. Applications can be filled out electronically and emailed in. We also accept applications by fax or mail. We can also provide virtual training for your staff and your students about what TBBC offers, and how to sign up. 

TBBC staff can answer any questions about this new exciting change, or any other questions about our library in general. We can be reached Monday through Friday by phone at 800-792-8322 ext. 812 or by email at tbbc@njstatelib.org. Our staff continue to work from home, so you may need to leave a message including your name and phone number when you call. Messages will be returned as soon as possible.