Home › Talking book library › Web-Braille
Web-Braille
Web-Braille home page
For Web-Braille members only: requires password and login.
Set up your computer to download Web-Braille
Before you can download books, your computer must be set up. Instructions vary according to the Windows version you have. These instructions require login with your patron ID number and password.
Search for Web-Braille books
through the NLS online catalog. To view Web-Braille titles only, put the words "Web-Braille" (as two words with no hyphen) in the key word or quick limits field.
What is Web-Braille?
Web-Braille is a free Braille book and magazine delivery service available through the Internet. Only qualified Library for the Blind users can access it. With Web-Braille, you can go onto the Internet and download your own copy of a book in Braille format. There are over 1,000 titles available for younger readers, with over 4,400 total titles available.
Call the Library for the Blind to sign up! You will need access to the Internet, an e-mail address, and a Braille output device. Web-Braille can be read on any machine that has a Braille display.
After you sign up, you will receive instructions by e-mail.
What can I download through Web-Braille?
- Books. The books currently available include press-braille books produced by NLS since 1992. A few hundred older titles are also available. Titles not included are grade 1, foreign-language, and print/braille books.
- Magazines. All NLS-produced braille magazines are available on Web-Braille. To download magazines, go to the current online issue of Braille Book Review, then go to the bottom of the page, to "Braille Magazines." Follow this link to download magazines. Get notification by e-mail when the latest edition of your magazine is available on Web-Braille!
- Music materials. Web-Braille music includes music scores and books about music, popular music lead sheets, and a music magazine.
- Sports schedules. Baseball, basketball, football, and hockey sports schedules are available to download online. They are found in the latest version of Braille Book Review, in the Braille magazines area, at the bottom of that page.
1. Get registered for Web-Braille with the Library for the Blind. You will need to choose a password of 6 to 8 lower-case letters or numbers. Be sure to choose something you will remember easily! You will receive a user name and password by e-mail within 24 hours of registration.
2. If you want to download a book or magazine rather than read it directly from the Internet, you will need to set up your computer. Instructions are available with registration. The Web-Braille home page gives more information about Web-Braille, available with your user name and password.
3. To search for books you want to read, go into advanced search of the NLS online catalog. Search by any of the options available: title, author, etc. To view only "Web-Braille" books, put the words "Web-Braille" (as two words with no hyphen) in the "annotation, notes, contents" field. The annotation will say, "Available from Web-Braille as a grade 2 Braille digital file." EX: to look for books by Gary Paulsen, tab to the "author" search box, and type in "Paulsen, Gary" in the box. Then tab to the "annotation, notes, contents" box and type in "Web-Braille." When you're ready to search, tab to the "submit search" button at the bottom of the screen and press enter.
4. The system will list the books that match the search you entered. Use the tab key to look through the titles. When you are on the title you want, press tab again and that will bring you to the link to Volume 1. There will be a link to each volume of the Web-Braille book. Press enter when you are on the volume you want.
5. A pop up screen will ask you for your user ID (patron number) and password. Input these. Press tab to get to the enter button, and press enter.
6. The next screen asks you to either open or save your file. You can save the book on a floppy disk or your computer hard drive. Choose the location on your computer that you want to save to. Tab down to the file name and input a name (Some braille note takers require one word, up to 8 digits). The first word of the title is usually a good name for a book. If the book has more than one volume you may want to add the volume number at the end. EX: Hatchet1. Then tab to the save key and press enter. The file will be saved. This free download is yours to keep.
7. You can now read your book on the computer, on your Braille note taker, or print it out in Braille. Enjoy!
ADVANTAGES:
1. You can have the book you want to read, immediately. No more waiting for that popular title to become available.
2. You have your own personal copy. Whether you make a Braille copy on a Braille printer, or download it to a file, you can keep it forever. No more sending a book back to the library!