Anyone who is a resident of the U.S. or its territories temporarily or permanently unable to see or hold print material is eligible for library services for the blind. NLS provides service to individuals who fall into any of the following categories:

1. Blind persons whose visual acuity, as determined by competent authority, is 20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting lenses, or whose widest diameter of visual field subtends an angular distance no greater than 20 degrees.
2. Persons whose visual disability, with correction and regardless of optical measurement, is certified by competent authority as preventing the reading of standard printed material
3. Persons certified by competent authority as unable to read or unable to use standard printed material as a result of physical limitations.
4. Persons certified by competent authority as having a perceptual or reading disability and unable to read printed works to substantially the same degree as a person without an impairment or disability.
5. Persons eligible for service (falling into any of the above categories) who are now living as residents of the United States (including its territories, insular possessions, and the District of Columbia), or are American citizens eligible for service who are now living abroad, or dependents of active military personnel or diplomats.

6. This includes individuals who have had a qualifying disability from birth, individuals who are disabled because of medical conditions or trauma, and individuals who become disabled as they age. Individuals who have a temporary disability may qualify for service on a temporary basis. Individuals who are blind or have a print disability and who have been honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States receive special priority.

See the Certifying Authority section below regarding who can certify the application.

To apply for service follow one of these steps:

1) Complete the Word or PDF document on the left

• Submit through the portal to the right (drag & drop or upload from your computer)

2) Complete the Word or PDF document on the left

• Email to us at nvtalkingbooks@admin.nv.gov

If you have any questions, please contact us at 775-684-3354 or 800-922-9334.

Eligibility must be certified by one of the following:

Doctor of medicine, doctor of osteopathy, ophthalmologist, optometrist, psychologist, registered nurse, therapist, or professional staff of hospitals, institutions, and public or welfare agencies (such as an educator, social worker, case worker, counselor, rehabilitation teacher, certified reading specialist, school psychologist, superintendent, or librarian).

We can now accept digital or photocopied signatures.

View a brief video from the National Library Service for a description of services or to learn more visit their website.  There you will find contact information for the NLS network library in your state or locality as well as details on who we serve, eligibility, and how to enroll. There are links to resources for people with visual, physical, or reading disabilities. And you can browse the online catalog and discover the tens of thousands of books that NLS patrons can download instantly and read on a mobile device or have delivered to their home on audio cartridge or in braille. Have a family member or friend who might be interested? Let them know where to find us too!