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Music Materials in Braille, Large Print and Audio: A Research Guide

The music section of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled provides scores and materials in braille and large print to eligible patrons of the program. This guide presents a basic overview of the collection.

Introduction

Amanda Reynolds, photographer. Justin and Candy on stage at the Coolidge Auditorium. 2014. Library of Congress.

The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), authorized by Congress in 1962, includes a significant collection of braille and large-print musical scores, recorded instructional materials, and recorded materials about music and musicians. All materials are circulated postage free, and some digital audio and ebraille materials are available for download over the Internet.

Any person eligible for NLS service is also eligible for NLS music services.. However, while patrons receive most NLS services through the network of cooperating libraries, music materials are circulated directly to patrons from the NLS headquarters in Washington, D.C. Services must be requested through the office as noted below.

About the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled

National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled

National Library Service (NLS) is a free braille and talking book library service for people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical, perceptual, or reading disability that prevents them from using regular print materials. Through a national network of cooperating libraries, NLS circulates books and magazines in braille or audio formats, that are instantly downloadable to a personal device or delivered by mail free of charge.