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Young Readers
Downloadable Book Services Available to You:
BARD: Digital audio books and magazines are available for download from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
To apply go to https://nlsbard.loc.gov/az. This is the same site you will go to for downloading books once you have been approved to use the service.
For further instructions, please click here.
Greater Phoenix Digital Library: The MP3 audiobooks available through this “virtual branch” play on the digital talking book player (plus this site offers eBooks, music and videos!!). Powered by Overdrive software. To download, you will need an AZ State library card number which the library will assign to you, please call us at 602-255-5578, or toll-free outside the Phoenix area at 1-800-255-2278.
To start, go to the login page. For further instructions, please click here.
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Summer Reading Program:
Summer 2013 is right around the corner! It’s almost time for a break from school (whew), hot, hot weather, and long cool A/C afternoons reading your favorite books and authors. Bonus -- Young Readers ages 18 and under -- Join us for the Summer Reading Program and earn great prizes for all that cool summer reading!
Read three books to earn a prize. Books that qualify can be talking books or Braille books from the Braille and Talking Book Library, downloaded books, or books found at your local public library. When you’re ready to receive a prize – call, email or send Nicole your list of books that you’ve read. Be sure to let us know about the books that you’ve read that you enjoyed. And keep reading all summer long!
This year our theme is “Dig Into Reading” for children and “Beneath the Surface” for teenagers. Dates for the program will be: June 3 – July 26th, 2013.
Check out these booklists for awesome underground reading ideas for this summer:
Dig Into Reading Juvenile Booklist
Beneath the Surface Young Adult Booklist
If you have any questions, please contact Nicole at 602-255-5578, toll-free outside the Phoenix area at 1-800-255-5578, or by email.
Have Fun Reading!
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Grand Canyon Reader Award
Each year students across Arizona read and nominate their favorite books for the Grand Canyon Reader Award. The books are divided into five categories: Picture Books, Non-Fiction, Intermediate, Tween and Teen. These books can be found at your local public library, or at your school media center. Otherwise, click on each year for a list of the 2013 and 2014 nominees that can be ordered through the AZ Braille and Talking Book Library.
For more information about the Grand Canyon Reader Award, please visit their website at www.grandcanyonreaderaward.org.
To vote for your favorite book, please contact your school’s media specialist or librarian.
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Links for Young Readers
Braille Bug - Check out this fun site from the American Federation for the Blind; learn about Braille and test your book and Braille knowledge with lots of trivia and games.
NLS Kids Site – Use the Kids Catalog to search for children’s books in the national collection. Discover lists of award winners, bibliographies, information about popular children’s book series, and more.
Learning Ally – Learning Ally is a non-profit group that provides students with print and learning disabilities recorded versions of many textbooks used in schools.
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Lists! Lists! Lists!
Check out these booklists, find a great book:
AZ "Our State Our Story" books
Children's Classics
Newbery Winners and Honors
Preschool to Early Elementary Age Reading
Wolfner Library bibliographies for Young Readers
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The Braille and Talking Book Library offers descriptive videos and DVDs that may be borrowed. Described videos have a second audio track with a narrator’s voice describing the action on the screen during the breaks in the dialog and sound effects.
Patrons in good standing may borrow two videos or DVDs at a time for a two week checkout period. You may request a descriptive video catalog from the library, or check out complete video lists on the Video webpage under What’s Available. Otherwise, click on the title of this section for a list of Juvenile and Family Videos and DVDs.
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For Parents and Teachers
Raising Special Kids supports and encourages Arizona families with special health needs or various disabilities. Parents and/or Teachers can contact them at 602-242-4366 voice/tty, 1-800-237-3007 or check their web site www.raisingspecialkids.org.
National Information Center For Children and Youth With Disabilities is an information clearing house that provides information on disabilities and disability related issues with special focus on children with disabilities from birth to age 22. Contact them at 1-800-695-0285 voice/tty or search their web site www.nichcy.org.
NLS Reference Circular: Parent’s Guide to the Development of Preschool Children with Disabilities: Resources and Services. A comprehensive list compiled in 2004.
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children: NOPBC is a national organization of parents and friends of blind children reaching out to each other to give vital support, encouragement, and information. A division of the National Federation of the Blind.
Phoenix Public Library provides a variety of accessible resources to assist children with disabilities. Click here for further information.
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