New Braille Book Collection for Young Readers

We’re Expanding Our Braille Books Collection!

You spoke, we listened, and we responded!

In recent years, we have received several requests for alternative format materials for young readers. We are proud to announce that in response to this feedback, we have expanded our Braille book collection by nearly 400 books. The purpose of this collection is to offer an accessible reading format for a range of young readers from birth to middle school. You may place a holds request at your preferred location or browse through them at the following locations:

• Bascom Branch
• Roberto Cruz Alum Rock Branch
• Rose Garden Branch
• Santa Teresa Branch
• Children's Room at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library

If you visit one of these locations, these books are easily identified by a bright pink overlay.

Some of the books for younger children, such as board books and picture books, have Braille added to pictures and print. These books can be enjoyed and shared by children with a variety of abilities. Books for older, more independent readers from fourth to eighth grade are Braille-only.

This expansion is part of our commitment to equity and inclusion.  We encourage you to further explore our free materials, services, programs, and adaptive technology for people with disabilities.

This collection also serves as a bridge for young borrowers with visual or other disabilities who are eligible and interested in signing up for an account with the Braille and Talking Book Library. The Braille and Talking Book Library is a branch of the California State Library that lends out recorded and Braille books, as well as devices for free. You may find out more by calling (toll-free) 1-800-952-5666. We hope that you investigate all that is offered through this outstanding program. 

To suggest more titles in alternative formats, please fill out a Purchase Request form and leave a note in the comments if the format desired is not listed in the format dropdown.

For any questions about disability access at the San Jose Public Library, please contact accessibility@sjlibrary.org or 408-808-2355.