About Us

The Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library opened in its current location at 40 West 20 Street, NY, NY, in 1991. Formerly, the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, the facility was renamed in honor of the former chairman of The New York Public Library's Board of Trustees who served from 1981 to 1990. You may read a brief history of the Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library, adapted from the exhibit brochure celebrating the library's centennial in 1995.

The library has two public floors, with a children's room and a young adult section, large circulating collections of talking book and braille materials that mirror collections in traditional neighborhood public libraries, specialized audio playback equipment for listening to recorded books and magazines, and adaptive technology. Fiction and nonfiction selections range from classics to bestsellers in many subject areas. There is also a meeting room for concerts, lectures, and other special events. Public programs are barrier-free and are open to the general public, free of charge.