Special Needs Services

Talking Book Program- The TBP provides free library services online and by mail to qualifying Texans with visual, physical, or reading disabilities. The Talking Books Program collection consists of more than 100,000 titles, including hundreds of titles in Spanish, and some in French, German, Russian, and other languages. Apply for service at www.tsl.texas.gov . Victoria Public Library has a BARD playback machine and materials available for demonstrations at our Service Desk. Ask a staff member for more information.

Magnifying Glass- We offer an LED-backlit Magnifying Glass available for in-library use only.

Screen Reading Programs- We offer two software programs for use on our Scan-Pro computer to help patrons with visual disabilities. This computer is located to the left of the Service Desk and is also ADA compliant for wheelchair bound patrons. A staff member can help with using this software.

Jaws Screen Reader helps disabled users to read the screen either with a text-to-speech output or by a refreshable Braille display. 

Zoom Text helps users with special needs on the computer by enlarging and reading aloud everything on the computer screen. Headphones are available for patron use at the service desk also.

National Library Service for the Blind & Print Disabled- NLS is a free online or by mail service that offers braille, audio and foreign language reading material as well as music and magazines. This service is for patrons with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical, perceptual, or reading disability that prevents them from using regular print materials. Enroll in this program by visiting www.loc.gov/nls/ . Ask a staff member for more information.