LBPH is located on the first floor of Traverse Area District Library, immediately to your right as you enter.  We are open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Messages may be left at 932-8558 or toll free 1-877-931-8558.

Grand Traverse Area LBPH is part of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped based in the Library of Congress.   We were established as a Subregional Library in 1972 and serve 16 counties in the Grand Traverse area and western lakeshore area of Michigan.  Our Regional Library is in the Library of Michigan in Lansing.

Anyone unable to read regular printed materials because of visual or physical limitations may be eligible. Currently the LBPH serves over 850 patrons, circulating around 30,000 items per year.

A wide variety of unabridged titles recorded on cassette tape are available by phone or walk-in access. Catalogs of titles are provided, and cassette machines are provided on loan for those patrons who meet specific criteria. Braille books are available through the Regional Library in Lansing.  In the next year we will begin making a long-awaited transition to digital players and books.  For several years we will provide both cassette and digital formats.

Who is Served?

Grand Traverse Area Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped serves residents of Antrim, Benzie, Crawford, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Lake Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Missaukee, Newago, Oceana, Osceola, Roscommon and Wexford Counties.

Who is eligible?

Anyone who is unable to read or use standard printed materials because of visual or physical limitations may use the library service. In addition to blindness and other visual limitations, physical handicaps include conditions that make the holding of books so difficult as to keep the individual from reading.  Persons unable to read because of learning disabilities that are physically caused are also eligible. Those whose limitations are temporarily are eligible for the duration of their disability.

What is Available?

• Players and audio books delivered by mail
• Braille books by mail
  
• Printed and recorded catalogs of books
  
• On-line catalog of books
  
• Personal assistance with book selection
  
• Reference services
  
• Magazines on tape or in Braille
  
• Described videos
  
• Quarterly newsletter
  
• Catalogs of low vision aids and other products
  
• Special events at the library
  

Who pays?

There is no charge to eligible library users.  Federal, state and local governments all provide funding for the service.  Materials and equipment are mailed to and from the patron postage-free.

How do I apply?

An application form may be requested from the GTA Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped or printed from this website. The Certificate of Eligibility confirms that the applicant is unable to read or use ordinary printed material because of a particular visual or physical limitation. This statement form must be signed by a competent authority who is not a family member. Competent authorities include members of the medical professions, and professional persons in the fields of public health, education, library service, rehabilitation, social work and public welfare.

Download and Print Certificate of Eligibility

We also have a series of Described Videos - made available through a gift from the Friends of Traverse Area District Library.