LVPD
The Library for the Visually and Physically Disabled (LVPD) branch of MADL serves the residents of Muskegon and Ottawa Counties. We offer free braille and talking book library service that is administered by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress. This service provides materials in accessible formats that can be shipped for free directly to the patron's home or downloaded to a personal device.
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LVPD
The Library for the Visually and Physically Disabled (LVPD) branch of MADL serves the residents of Muskegon and Ottawa Counties. We offer free braille and talking book library service that is administered by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress. This service provides materials in accessible formats that can be shipped for free directly to the patron's home or downloaded to a personal device.
Technology
Computers
- Large screens
- Adjustable height desks
- Large text keyboards
- Keyboards with braille bumps
- Zoom Text Software
- Jaws screen reader software
Private Device Room
- Large Screen
- Adjustable height desk
- Jaws Screen reader software
- Zoom Text software
- Physical print to speech software
Assistive Devices
- Magnifiers
- Braille Printer
Tovertafel
Tovertafel, Dutch for “Magic Table,” puts games onto a table that you can play with your hands. This device was made for children and adults with disabilities. It creates a fun setting and helps with learning and playing with others.
Tovertafel FAQ
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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.
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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.
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Walk-ins are welcome, however, those with an appointment will have priority. You can make an appointment from our LVPD Branch page.
*The Tovertafel was funded in part through a grant by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library of Michigan.
Tovertafel
Tovertafel, Dutch for “Magic Table,” puts games onto a table that you can play with your hands. This device was made for children and adults with disabilities. It creates a fun setting and helps with learning and playing with others.
*The Tovertafel was funded in part through a grant by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library of Michigan.
Talking Books
Talking Books are audio books available through the NLS. They are stored on a cartridge and each is mailed in its own case. Through the service, you can read over 120,000 titles, including new titles.
When you sign up, you tell us your favorite authors and types of books. We use these to pick books for you. You can also call or email the LVPD to request exactly the book titles and authors you want. To look for books online, you can search the NLS online catalog, opens a new window.
You can also tell us how often you want new books. The default is to send new books when a cartridge is returned. Books can also be sent weekly, monthly, or when you call to request them.
If you qualify for the Talking program and want to start, fill out an application and get it back to our office. This application can be picked up at the LVPD, mailed to your home, or downloaded. Someone who can prove you qualify for the service must sign the application’s second page.
Players are the size of a hard cover book. Each player has large colored buttons of different shapes. Players hold a charge for 29 hours and can be recharged with a standard outlet.
Extra items for the players are available if you need them.
- Headphones
- Pillow Speakers
- Breath Switches
- Amplified Players
Amplified players need a separate application. This is because the player is so loud that it can cause deafness. Contact the LVPD to request an amplified player.
Talking Books FAQ
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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To return a cartridge, remove the address card on the outside of the case and put the Talking Book into your mailbox.
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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.
Talking Books are audio books available through the NLS. They are stored on a cartridge and each is mailed in its own case. Through the service, you can read over 120,000 titles, including new titles.
When you sign up, you tell us your favorite authors and types of books. We use these to pick books for you. You can also call or email the LVPD to request exactly the book titles and authors you want. To look for books online, you can search the NLS online catalog, opens a new window.
You can also tell us how often you want new books. The default is to send new books when a cartridge is returned. Books can also be sent weekly, monthly, or when you call to request them.
If you qualify for the Talking program and want to start, fill out an application and get it back to our office. This application can be picked up at the LVPD, mailed to your home, or downloaded. Someone who can prove you qualify for the service must sign the application’s second page.
Players are the size of a hard cover book. Each player has large colored buttons of different shapes. Players hold a charge for 29 hours and can be recharged with a standard outlet.
Extra items for the players are available if you need them.
- Headphones
- Pillow Speakers
- Breath Switches
- Amplified Players
Amplified players need a separate application. This is because the player is so loud that it can cause deafness. Contact the LVPD to request an amplified player.
Talking Books FAQ
-
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
BARD FAQ
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"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.
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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.
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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.
"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.
BARD FAQ
-
"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.
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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.
BARD FAQ
-
"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.
Senior Book Bins
MADL Senior Book Bin service supports senior communities throughout MADL's service area, delivering bins with a wide variety of titles for free. Facilities can check out bins to create a small collection for residents to read at their leisure. Bins will be exchanged monthly.
Each bin contains 15-20 books of various genres and is labeled with with a letter or number that corresponds to the letter or number on the spine of the books. A Book Bin checklist for facility staff is included for tracking.
Senior Book Bin FAQ
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Senior Book Bins are bins of large print books that are delivered to senior communities throughout MADL's service area.
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Senior Book Bins are delivered by MADL staff to your facility on a monthly basis.
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Each Senior Book Bin consists of 20 large print books of various genres.
MADL Senior Book Bin service supports senior communities throughout MADL's service area, delivering bins with a wide variety of titles for free. Facilities can check out bins to create a small collection for residents to read at their leisure. Bins will be exchanged monthly.
Each bin contains 15-20 books of various genres and is labeled with with a letter or number that corresponds to the letter or number on the spine of the books. A Book Bin checklist for facility staff is included for tracking.
Senior Book Bin FAQ
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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.
Senior Book Bin FAQ
-
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.
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