The Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled brings alternative formats to Iowans who are unable to read standard print. It provides access to information, books, and magazines in audio, braille, electronic text, and large print. Visit the library's blog for more information!
Instructional Materials Center
The IMC provides student classroom materials in the above alternative formats. Visit the IMC blog for more information!
Join us for
2025 Summer Reading: Power Up! Game On for Summer Reading
When does it start? June 9th through July 25th How much does it cost? FREE When? Virtually Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1:00pm – 1:45pm
Eligibility guidelines: Library services are available at no cost to Iowans of any age who cannot read traditional print materials because of a visual disability, physical disability, or physically-based reading disability.
The Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled provides services to individuals with:
Blindness
A visual disability that prevents the reading of standard printed material.
A physical disability, such as multiple sclerosis, paraplegia, or paper allergies, that interferes with the ability to hold a book and turn pages.
A reading disability resulting from organic dysfunction.
Hospitals, nursing or convalescent homes, schools, or other institutions serving visually or physically disabled persons may also register with the library.
Applications for LBPD service must be certified by a competent authority.
In the case of visual or physical disability, a competent authority is defined to include:
Physician
Osteopath
Ophthalmologist
Optometrist
Registered nurse
Therapist
Professional staff of hospitals, institutions, and public or welfare agencies (e.g., social worker, case worker, counselor, rehabilitation teacher, or superintendent).
Professional librarian
Applications for reading disabled persons must be certified by a physician or an osteopath. More information about the certification for individuals with reading disabilities may be found in Talking Books and Reading Disabilities, a factsheet produced by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled.
To begin accessing library services, fill out the Online Library Application or print out and mail our PDF Application. To request an application form by phone, contact the Library at 515-281-1323 or in Iowa, 800-362-2587, option 2. You can also email library@blind.state.ia.us.
The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, requires that each network library have an advisory committee composed of a representative group of users and members of related organizations. Input from the advisory committee is used in the formulation of policy and strategic planning.
Founded in 2005, the Friends of the Iowa Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped is an all-volunteer, nonprofit group dedicated to supporting the Library's efforts to be the best.
