Vision Impaired Resources

The American Foundation for the Blind provides several excellent resources for adults new to vision loss, and their support network.

This is a free service.

Digital books, magazines, and web Braille are now available for download, free of charge, from the BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) website to your iPhone or Android device. There are currently more than 25,000 digital books and over 40 magazines from which to choose.  All active patrons are eligible. Find out more about how to use this service at blindlibrary.utah.gov/bard.html.

While not affiliated with libraries, the Be My Eyes app has the potential to be a great help to the visually impaired. Be My Eyes is a free app that connects blind and low-vision people with sighted volunteers and company representatives for visual assistance through a live video call.

Curbside Pickup for holds is available at Palmer Public Library for any patron with a library card from any Alaska Library Catalog network library. See our Hours and Closures page for hours and availability. 

Curbside Pickup service is only for picking up existing holds available at Palmer Public Library. Staff cannot choose items for you from the collection during curbside pickup. Click here to learn how to place a hold. Items on the shelf in Palmer are usually available the next business day after they're placed. Holds from other Mat-Su libraries will take a minimum of 7 to 10 days to be ready for pick up. Items coming from other ALC libraries in the state are dependent on USPS or our courier service and can take anywhere from 7 to 30+ days to arrive. Some items may take longer than average if there's a waiting list. If your account has a balance due, fines and fees may be paid online from your account on the card catalog. For the safety of our staff, we will not be able to process payments at curbside. Palmer Public Library allows curbside checkouts to patrons with balances on their account of less than $5, in most cases. 

To use curbside pickup, pull up to the sign in front of the building, next to the ramp, and call the library at 907-745-4690. You will receive an email or phone call when your hold is available. We'll check out your items and bring them out to you. Please have your library card ready to show staff the number for confirmation. You must have your physical library card to pick up. Staff will confirm the number on your library card and hand the items directly to you. If you prefer more limited contact, show the card through the window and direct staff to place items in a back seat or trunk. 

Free public domain audiobooks are available at librivox.org. You can also volunteer to read books out loud.

The Lookout app, from Google, "Lookout uses computer vision to assist people with low vision or blindness get things done faster and more easily. Using your phone's camera, Lookout makes it easier to get more information about the world around you and do daily tasks more efficiently like sorting mail, putting away groceries, and more. Lookout is available in English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish on all Android devices running Android 6 and above, with more than 2GB of RAM."

The National Library Service (NLS) for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in Washington, DC has a wonderful collection of music education materials and instruction such as:

• Braille — music scores and books about music
• Large print — music scores and books about music
• Audio self-instruction courses, books, and other materials

Please contact NLS directly by calling 1.800.424.8567 or emailing NLSM [at] loc.gov (NLSM[at]loc[dot]gov).

The Palmer Library has a large collection of audiobooks on CD. Holds may also be placed on titles from most other libraries in the state, to pick up in Palmer. Library staff are happy to assistance in placing holds.

The Palmer Library has a selection of large print books available in both fiction and nonfiction.

Large print fiction is located on the first shelf between Adult Fiction and Mystery.

Large print nonfiction is shelved throughout the nonfiction section with a large print sticker on the spine.

This is a free service.

Phone: 1.888.820.4525
Website: talkingbooks.alaska.gov
Email: tbc [at] alaska.gov (tbc[at]alaska[dot]gov) For general questions about talking book services and for prospective patrons to apply for library services.

Talking books are available on loan with special playback equipment to eligible individuals. Any U.S. citizen or resident who cannot hold a book or read standard print can apply to borrow these materials. Books, magazines, and playback equipment are mailed postage-free directly to the borrower.

Visit the Alaska State Library Talking Book Center website for more information on free services for Alaskans with vision impairments, eligibility requirements, application for services, a comprehensive list of resources, and more.

We have one video magnifier device for checkout to enhance the reading experience for people with vision loss and other visual disabilities. The video mag kit includes the video magnifier with built in wrist strap, along with a softshell carrying case, an instruction manual, a power supply and USB cable, a cleaning cloth. 

This item requires signing a borrowing agreement in order to check out. Item must be checked out and returned to Palmer Library. See staff for borrowing agreement and to check out.