WTBBL closed to public
Starting July 1, 2025, the library building will be open by appointment only and phones will go to voicemail due to loss of funding. Services continue as usual. Learn more about the library budget shortfall.
Audiobook Resources
WTBBL patrons have access to hundreds of thousands of titles via BARD, the Braille and Audio Reading Download site from the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS). If you’re looking for a book that’s not on BARD, try these resources.
Your Local Public Library
There are 60 library systems with more than 325 branches in Washington State, all of which offer free audiobooks. Audiobooks are available on CD or via services that require a personal computer or smart device, like Libby or Overdrive. Reach out to your local public library to learn more.
Other Resources
Below are other organizations and companies that provide audiobooks. Some offer services for free, while others charge for their services. These services require a personal computer or smart device. We do not recommend one site over another.
Audible.com
This service offers access to ~200,000 audiobook titles for a monthly fee.
Audiobooks.com
This service offers access to ~450,000 audiobook titles for a monthly fee. For more information, call 855-876-6195 or email [email protected].
Bookshare
Similar to being an NLS/WTBBL patron, you must have a print disability to use the service. For a monthly fee, they offer access to general audiobooks, as well as textbooks and educational materials, in more than 40 languages. K-12 students may be able to get an account for free through their school. For more information, call 650-352-0918 or complete the Contact Bookshare Form.
Internet Archive
This FREE service provides access to ~75,000 titles, including classics titles and poetry. The Internet Archive offers special services for print-disabled readers. For more information, call 415-561-6767 or email [email protected].
Learning Ally
This service offers services for K-12 students and college-level students with print disabilities. For a monthly fee, members get access to ~80,000 audiobooks and other resources. K-12 students may be able to get an account for free through their school. For more information, call 800-221-4792 or email [email protected].
LibriVox
This FREE service provides audio versions of books in the public domain read by volunteers from around the world. There are currently ~20,000 titles available. For more information, email [email protected].
Lit2Go
Lit2Go is a FREE service of the Florida Center for Instructional Technology at the University of South Florida. Meant as a teaching resource, this service offers audiobook files as well as PDF versions of many classic books. For more information, call 813-974-1640 or email [email protected].
Loyal Books
This FREE service offers access to ~7,000 books in the public domain and also access to newer books for a fee. For more information, email [email protected].
Open Culture
This FREE service offers access to ~1,000 books in the public domain. For more information, email [email protected] for more information. Please note that this site contains ads.
Turning your book into an audiobook
WTBBL does not provide audiobook recording services for authors. We may choose to record a book for our patrons, but books we create are only available to NLS patrons and not available for other purposes. For more about how we choose books to record, see our Collection Development Policy.