LVPD stands for Library for the Visually & Physically Disabled. The LVPD is a public library branch that also serves as the local Talking Book and Braille Library for Muskegon and Ottawa counties.
LVPD FAQs
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General Questions
The LVPD is a library for everyone, both disabled and abled. You do not need to be disabled to come in and use our public library services.
- Public Computers with large monitors
- Tables that raise and lower for wheelchairs or other needs
- Extra Large Keyboards for low vision
- Software that will increase screen text size
- Screen reading software
- Speech to text software
- Text to Speech Software
- Document Magnifiers
- Braille Printer
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Talking Book Service
The Talking Book Service is a free service that mails braille and audio books to people's homes. You can also download the books to your phone or tablet.
To qualify for Talking Books you need to have one of the following disabilities:
- Low vision
- Blind
- Can’t hold books or turn pages
- Reading disabilities
If you have one of these for a short time, you can also use the service during that time.
For a more details about who qualifies, visit the NLS qualification webpage
There does need to be a qualifying signature on the Talking Book application. To prove you qualify, the second page of the application must be signed by a:
- Doctor
- Nurse
- Social Worker
- Others like hospital staff and therapists
To start the service, please download the application and send it into our office. We can also mail the application to you if needed. If you need a mailed application please contact our office at 231-737-6310 or email us at lvpd@madl.org.
To return a cartridge, remove the address card on the outside of the case and put the Talking Book into your mailbox.
Yes, once you are signed up for Talking Book Service, you can also have Braille books mailed free to your home. Patrons can have up to five Braille titles at a time.
Yes, a lot of magazines are available in Large Print, Talking Book, and Braille formats. To see what is available, you can download the magazine order form and mail it in, or contact the LVPD to start receiving magazines.
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Tovertafel
Tovertafel, Dutch for "Magic Table," is the leading interactive gaming system for complex and differentiated care needs. The Tovertafel projects engaging light games onto surfaces, designed to stimulate on a social, physical, sensory, and cognitive level.
The Tovertafel was designed with children and adults with disabilities in mind. However, The Tovertafel enables people of diverse abilities to play together, regardless of their physical, cognitive, or language differences. This warm technology helps people to connect to the world in their own way, practicing social-emotional skills and learning standards while creating meaningful moments.
Walk-ins are welcome, however, those with an appointment will have priority. You can make an appointment from our LVPD Branch page.
The Tovertafel has dozens of different games that focus on the following effects:
- Cognitive
- The Tovertafel games produce cognitive effects. Everyone is challenged at their own level and there are lots of opportunities for practicing and making mistakes
- Turning train tracks, puzzles, memory match
- The Tovertafel games produce cognitive effects. Everyone is challenged at their own level and there are lots of opportunities for practicing and making mistakes
- Physical
- Games with a physical component elicit intuitive moments and respond to even the smallest of hand movements of the players. This increases their self-confidence and motivates them to continue playing and moving
- Popping Bubbles, pushing a beach ball, wiping leaves, polish silverware
- Games with a physical component elicit intuitive moments and respond to even the smallest of hand movements of the players. This increases their self-confidence and motivates them to continue playing and moving
- Social
- Fun is something you experience with each other. Games that stimulate the social domain promote interaction and social contact between the care professionals, players and visitors.
- Birthday cake, soccer
- Fun is something you experience with each other. Games that stimulate the social domain promote interaction and social contact between the care professionals, players and visitors.
- Sensory
- Sensory stimulation has many positive benefits, including mood enhancement. In these games, this is achieved using interactive images and sounds.
- Fish pond, music maker, puppies
- Sensory stimulation has many positive benefits, including mood enhancement. In these games, this is achieved using interactive images and sounds.
- Cognitive
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BARD
"BARD" stands for Braille and Audio Reading Download, a free service provided by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) within the Library of Congress. It allows eligible patrons to download audiobooks, magazines, and braille books directly to their personal devices.
To apply, go to the BARD application webpage and fill in the information. Our library is “MI – The Muskegon Area District Library for the Visually and Physically Disabled (in Muskegon, MI)”. You can also call the LVPD at 231-737-6310 to get help in signing up.
BARD can be used in a few different ways. The most common way is on a phone or a tablet. You can download the app from the Apple app store or the Google Play store to start listening.
You can also download audio books, magazines, and more from BARD to a thumb drive. This thumb drive plugs into the player and plays the downloaded items.
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Senior Book Bin
Senior Book Bins are bins of large print books that are delivered to senior communities throughout MADL's service area.
Senior Book Bins are delivered by MADL staff to your facility on a monthly basis.
Each Senior Book Bin consists of 20 large print books of various genres.
If a Senior Book Bin book is lost or damaged, please notify us at 231-737-6310 or lvpd@madl.org. There are no fines for lost or damaged items, although repeated damage could result in a re-evaluation of service.
The books in each Senior Book Bin has a luggage tag with a large letter or number. This letter or number will be at the top of each book spine.When new Senior Book Bins are dropped off, the previous month's bin will be picked up and returned to our library. If you have books that patrons are not finished with, they can be returned with next month's bin.
Senior Book Bins are intended for senior living or community facilities in the MADL service area.
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Ellison Die Cuts
No, the Ellison Die Cuts are free to use. However, you must supply your own paper.
The Muskegon Area District Library now houses the Ellison Die Cut collection at our LVPD Branch Location and is accessible anytime the branch is open.
Think of it like using a cookie cutter for a variety of materials. Instead of using scissors, which can be slow and tricky, this machine quickly cuts through things using special steel rule die shapes. It's like making multiple copies of the same shape effortlessly. If you're looking to create shapes and letters easily, the Ellison Die Cut is your solution. Our Ellison Die Cuts are located at our LVPD Branch Location.