National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS)
The Library of Congress
The free Library service was established by an Act of Congress in 1931 to provide blind adults with books in an embossed format. The Act was amended in 1934 to include sound recordings (talking books), and was expanded in 1952 to include children, in 1962 to provide music materials, and again in 1966 to include individuals with physical limitations that prevent the reading of regular print.
Talking books require the use of a specialized playback device. Initially they were available on sets of special 10 inch 8 rpm records. Then they were made available on cassette, and specialized cassette players were available on loan to eligible readers. In 2009, digital format books were introduced on easy-to-handle cartridges. Two types of digital players are available: a standard model and an advanced model with navigation and bookmark features. Current readers are encouraged to use both cassette and digital players to access the full range of the NLS collection. NLS formats render the books unusable by the general public, a requirement under the U.S. copyright law to protect intellectual property while allowing NLS patrons free use of the material.
In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash Talking Books - Record 1966
Author: Shepherd, Jean.
Title: In God we trust [sound recording] ; all others pay cash.
Published: [Washington, D.C.] : DBPH. (AFB, recording agency. AFB, distributor.)
Description: 12 sides 10 in. 16 rpm
Book Number: TB 01526 withdrawn
Notes:
Narrated by the author.
Availability restricted to those meeting the eligibility criteria of the holding agency.
Narrated by Jean Shepherd.
While revisiting his Indiana hometown after a 20-year absence, the narrator drops in on the proprietor of a tavern. Their exaggerated reminiscences recall the Depression years.
Male narrator. NLS/BPH
Reproduced from: Garden City, N.Y., Doubleday, 1966.
64019321
Subjects: United States -- Social conditions -- 1918-1932 -- Fiction.
Location: DLC-B TB 01526 withdrawn NLS/BPH
Control No.: 132586
Wanda Hickey's night of golden memories, and other disasters Talking Books - Record 1971
Author: Shepherd, Jean.
Title: Wanda Hickey's night of golden memories, and other disasters [sound recording]
Published: [Washington, D.C.] : DBPH. (AFB, recording agency. AFB, distributor.)
Description: 12 sides 10 in. 16 rpm
Book Number: TB 04489 withdrawn
Dewey No.: 813.54
Notes:
-- The grandstand passion play of Delbert and the Bumpus hounds.
-- County fair!
-- Scut Farkas and the murderous Mariah.
-- Ollie Hopnoodle's haven of bliss.
-- The star-crossed romance of Josephine Cosnowski.
-- Daphne Bigelow and the spine-chilling saga of the snail-encrusted tinfoil noose.
-- The return of the smiling Wimpy doll.
-- Wanda Hickey's night of golden memories.
Availability restricted to those meeting the eligibility criteria of the holding agency.
Narrated by Ed Blake.
Humorous pieces recalling boyhood and adolescence in an Indiana steel town.
Male narrator. NLS/BPH
Reproduced from: Garden City, N.Y., Doubleday, 1971.
72161317
Subjects: Short stories. Lcsh
Other authors: Blake, Ed, narrator.
Location: DLC-B TB 04489 withdrawn NLS/BPH
Control No.: 132587
The Ferrari in the Bedroom Talking Books - Record 1972
Author: Shepherd, Jean.
Title: The Ferrari in the bedroom [sound recording].
Published: [Washington, D.C.] : DBPH. (AFB, recording agency. AFB, distributor)
Description: 6 sides 10 in. 8 rpm
Book Number: RD 06353
Dewey No.: 818.5407
Notes:
Availability restricted to those meeting the eligibility criteria of the holding agency.
Narrated by Donald Hotaling.
Observations on American hangups and delusions in the 1970's, by a writer-humorist who performs on stage, radio, and television.
Male narrator. NLS/BPH
Reproduced from: New York, Dodd, Mead, 1972.
72003923
Subjects: Humor. Local
Other authors: Hotaling, Donald, narrator.
Location: DLC-B RD 06353 NLS/BPH
Control No.: 132585
The Ferrari in the Bedroom Talking Books - Braille 1974
Author: Shepherd, Jean.
Title: The Ferrari in the bedroom [braille].
Published: [Washington, D.C.] : DBPH, 1974. (American Red Cross, Greater Cleveland Chapter, transcribing agency)
Description: 4 v. of handcopied braille ; 29 x 29 cm.
Book Number: BRA12928
Dewey No.: 818.5407
Notes:
Contracted braille.
Availability restricted to those meeting the eligibility criteria of the holding agency.
Observations on American hangups and delusions in the 1970's, by a writer-humorist who performs on stage, radio, and television.
Reproduced from: New York, Dodd, Mead [1972]
72003923
Subjects: Humor. Local
Location: DLC-B BRA12928 NLS/BPH
Control No.: 25318
The Ferrari in the Bedroom Talking Books - Braille 1976
Author: Shepherd, Jean.
Title: The Ferrari in the bedroom [braille].
Published: [Washington, D.C.] : DBPH, 1976. (American Red Cross, Greater Cleveland Chapter, transcribing agency)
Description: 4 v. of handcopied braille ; 28 x 28 cm.
Book Number: BRA13336
Dewey No.: 818.5407
Notes:
Contracted braille.
Availability restricted to those meeting the eligibility criteria of the holding agency.
Observations on American hangups and delusions in the 1970's, by a writer-humorist who performs on stage, radio, and television.
Reproduced from: New York, Dodd, Mead [1972]
72003923
Subjects: Humor. Local
Location: DLC-B BRA13336 NLS/BPH
Control No.: 35786
A Fistful of Fig Newtons Talking Books - Record 1982
Author: Shepherd, Jean.
Title: A fistful of fig newtons [sound recording] / by Jean Shepherd.
Published: [Washington, D.C.] : NLS, 1982. (AFB, recording agency. AFB, distributor)
Description: 7 s. : 10 in. 8 rpm.
Book Number: RD 17561
Dewey No.: 813.54
Notes:
-- A fistful of fig newtons, or The shootout in room 303
-- The light at the end of the tunnel
-- The mole people battle the forces of darkness
-- Marcel Proust meets the New Jersey tailgater, and survives
-- The marathon run of Lonesome Ernie, the Arkansas Traveler
-- Sociology 101 (Hip Division)
-- Lemons on the grass, alas
-- The lost civilization of Deli
-- The whole fun catalog of 1929
-- Lost at C
-- Ellsworth Leggett and the great ice cream war
-- The Barbi doll celebrates New Year's.
Availability restricted to those meeting the eligibility criteria of the holding agency.
Narrated by Ralph Bell.
A collection of twelve zany pieces by a contemporary American humorist. The essays include a wry view of the joys of Army life, the mixed pleasures of civilian life, aging hippies, and television commercials. Some strong language.
Male narrator. NLS/BPH
Contains strong language. NLS/BPH
Reproduced from: 1st ed. Garden City, N.Y. Doubleday, 1981.
80002872
Subjects: Humor. Local
Other authors: Bell, Ralph, narrator.
Location: DLC-B RD 17561 NLS/BPH
Control No.: 149982
Wanda Hickey's night of golden memories, and other disasters Talking Books - Cassettes 1996
Author: Shepherd, Jean.
Title: Wanda Hickey's night of golden memories, and other disasters [sound recording] / Jean Shepherd.
Published: [Washington, D.C.] : NLS, 1996. (NLS, recording agency. APH, distributor.)
Description: 2 sound cassettes (C-90) : analog, 15/16 ips, 4 track, mono.
Book Number: RC 41950
Dewey No.: 813.54 AFI
Notes:
"Stories originally appeared in Playboy magazine."
Reformat of TB 4489.
"Main Street books."
-- The grandstand passion play of Delbert and the Bumpus hounds
-- County fair
-- Scut Farkas and the murderous Mariah
-- Ollie Hopnoodle's haven of bliss
-- The star-crossed romance of Josephine Cosnowski
-- Daphne Bigelow and the spine-chilling saga of the snail-encrusted tinfoil noose
-- The return of the smiling Wimpy doll
-- Wanda Hickey's night of golden memories.
Availability restricted to those meeting the eligibility criteria of the holding agency.
Narrated by Michael Kramer.
Shepherd recalls humorous episodes about growing up in the northern Indiana steel town of Hohman. When the hillbilly Bumpus family and their 745 dogs move in next door, a stolen Easter ham results in a Shepherd-Bumpus feud. Later, spiffed-up Jean with his seven-pound pompadour goes on a disastrous date with a wealthy classmate. But he manages to top that with a drunken junior prom fiasco. Strong language.
Male narrator. NLS/BPH
Contains strong language. NLS/BPH
Reproduced from: 1st ed. Garden City, N.Y. Doubleday, c1971.
72161317
Subjects: Short stories. lcsh
Other authors: Kramer, Michael, narrator.
Other titles: Night of golden memories, and other disasters.
Location: DLC-B RC 41950 NLS/BPH
Control No.: 200710
In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash Talking Books - Cassette 2000
Author: Shepherd, Jean.
Title: In God we trust [sound recording] : all others pay cash / Jean Shepherd.
Published: [Washington, D.C.] : National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped, Library of Congress, 2000. (NLS, recording agency. APH, distributor.)
Description: 2 sound cassettes (C-90) : analog, 15/16 ips, 4 track, mono.
Book Number: RC 48446
Dewey No.: 813.54 AFI
Notes:
Availability restricted to those meeting the eligibility criteria of the holding agency.
Narrated by: Michael Kramer.
Ralph returns to the Indiana mill town that he grew up in. When he walks into his childhood friend's bar, the two reminisce about their boyhood, which included Red Ryder BB guns, Orphan Annie, fishing, the Chicago World's Fair, and Fibber McGee and Molly. The movie "A Christmas Story" is based on the book.
Male narrator. NLS/BPH
Reproduction of: New York : Doubleday, 1991.
Subjects: City and town life -- Middle West -- Fiction. Humor. Local
Other authors: Kramer, Michael, narrator.
Location: DLC-B RC 48446 NLS/BPH
Control No.: 207454
