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Home  > Reference > Circulars > Magazine Program

NLS Reference Circulars

The Magazine Program of the National Library Service for the
Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS)

Issued August 2012

Introduction

This document lists all magazines produced or distributed by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, through its free reading program. These magazines are produced and distributed in various formats through a network of cooperating libraries. U.S. residents and American citizens living abroad who are unable to read or handle conventional print materials because of a visual or a physical impairment are eligible for service.

The magazines are circulated by USPS mail, but some titles are available to eligible readers for download in braille or audio format from the Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) service at https://nlsbard.loc.gov. Some titles may also be available in large-print or press braille.

Glossary

Alphabetical list of titles

American Heritage

3, AMH4, AMH7

quarterly

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download Articles on America=s social, educational, and cultural history.

Analog Science Fiction and Science Fact

ANA3, ANA4, ANA7

10 issues/year audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Short stories, novelettes, and features with science-fiction themes.

Asimov's Science Fiction

IAM3, IAM4, IAM7 10 issues/year

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Short stories, novelettes, and features with science-fiction themes.

The Atlantic

AMO3, AMO4, AMO7

10 issues/year

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Articles on politics and current issues; fiction by contemporary American writers.

Das Beste aus Reader's Digest

BRD3, BRD4. BRD7

monthly

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

German edition of Reader=s Digest. First-person articles, profiles, opinion pieces, and other general-interest articles. Selections come from German-language magazines as well as the American edition of Reader's Digest. (Germany)

Bon Appétit

EAT3, EAT4, EAT7

monthly

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Articles on cooking, entertainment, and travel; recipes from well-known restaurants.

Boys' Life for All Boys

BYL 1, BYL 5
monthly
digital braille, press braille

Articles on the outdoors, sports, and hobbies, with adventure fiction and humor; ages 9B16. Published by the Boy Scouts of America.

Braille Book Review

BBR1, BBR2, BBR5

bimonthly

digital braille, large print, press braille

Announcements of braille books recently added to the Library of Congress collection; news and developments in library services for blind individuals. Braille edition includes one-line annotations from Talking Book Topics and a braille order form. Some issues contain selections from NLS News.

Braille Chess Magazine

BCM1

quarterly

press braille

Articles on chess; news of current trends and competitions. (UK)

Braille Music Magazine

XBM1

monthly

press braille

Articles about classical music for professional and amateur musicians; reviews of new braille music publications. (UK)

Consumer Reports

CRP3, CRP4, CRP7

monthly

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

In-depth articles that rate consumer products tested for quality, durability, and safety. Also features general-interest topics such as health and money management.

Contemporary Sound Track: A Review of Pop, Jazz, Rock, and Country

XST3, XST4, XST7

bimonthly

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

A sampler of articles from national magazines on jazz, rock, country, and pop music.

Conundrum

COU1

monthly

press braille

Crossword and logic puzzles, anagrams, word searches, and general- knowledge quizzes. (UK)

Back to top

Cooking Light

CKL1, CKL5

11 issues/year

digital braille, press braille

Short articles on exercise, food, fitness, health, and nutrition. Each issue contains approximately seventy recipes that feature fresh, natural ingredients and low-fat cooking.

Cricket: The Realm of Imagination

NGW3, NGW4, NGW7

9 issues/year

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Stories, poems, and articles by internationally known authors. Also includes songs, jokes, and crafts. For ages 9柆14. Packaged with National Geographic Kids.

Diabetes Forecast: The Healthy Living Magazine

DBF3, DBF4, DBF7

monthly

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Articles on health care, nutrition, and research findings. Published by the American Diabetes Association.

Discover Magazine: Science, Technology, and the Future

DIS3, DIS4, DIS7

10 issues/year

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Articles on ecology, natural history, science, and technology. Features news on breakthroughs in science, technology, and medicine. Includes book reviews, brain bogglers (puzzles), and awards for technological innovations.

Ebony: It's More than a Magazine, It's a Movement

EBN3, EBN4, EBN7

11 issues/year

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Articles on food, dress, leisure, travel, and personalities emphasizing achievements of African Americans.

Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine: World's Leading Mystery Magazine

EQM3, EQM4, EQM7

10 issues/year

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Mystery stories by established authors in the field and by new, previously unpublished writers.

ESPN: The Magazine

ESP1, ESP5

biweekly

digital braille, press braille

Sports news and information; player profiles.

Foreign Affairs

FAF3, FAF4, FAF7

bimonthly

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Analysis of issues by statesmen, diplomats, and scholars and trends in international politics, law, and economics.

France-Amérique: Le Journal Français des États-Unis

JFA3, JFA4, JFA7

11 issues/year

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

In French. French news analysis, trends, interviews, book and film reviews, travel, advice, and resources to perfect French language skills; information on the French American community.

Good Housekeeping

GHK3, GHK4, GHK7

monthly

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Articles on family and home management with features on food and decorating.

Harper's Magazine

HRP1, HRP5

monthly

digital braille, press braille

General culture magazine with articles by well-known writers on politics, international affairs, education, and science. Includes short stories, satire, and poetry.

Health and Nutrition Newsletters

HNN3, HNN4, HNN7

monthly

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Selections on medical conditions of special interest to older adults, nutritional information, and ways to maintain good health from Johns Hopkins Medicine: Health after Fifty; Mayo Clinic Health Letter: Tools for Healthier Lives; and Nutrition Action Healthletter.

Health Newsletters

HNW1, HNW5

monthly

digital braille, press braille

Current health concerns, medical information, nutrition, and stress management from Harvard Health Letter, Mayo Clinic Health Letter: Tools for Healthier Lives; and University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter.

Horticulture: The Art and Science of Smart Gardening

HOR3, HOR4, HOR7

bimonthly

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Gardening trends, products, and projects for amateur gardeners.

Kiplinger's Personal Finance

KPF1, KPF5

monthly

digital braille, press braille

General-interest articles on managing finances, including taxes, investment options, real estate, insurance, and retirement planning.

Ladies' Home Journal

LHJ1, LHJ5

11 issues/year

digital braille, press braille

Articles and fiction intended for women; includes household hints, recipes, and ideas on fashion and beauty.

Magazine of the Month

MOM3, MOM4, MOM7

monthly

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Special NLS program designed to provide a limited substitute for newsstand browsing. Readers are sent a different magazine each month.

Martha Stewart Living

MSL1, MSL5

monthly

digital braille, press braille

Offers recipes and gardening, crafts, collectibles, reminiscence, housekeeping, and entertaining tips.

Money

MNY3, MNY4, MNY7

monthly

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Articles on money-management, consumer, and family issues; includes regular columns with news and advice on jobs, taxes, Social Security, investments, products, and services.

Muse: The Magazine of Life, the Universe, and Pie Throwing

MUE1, MUE5

9 issues/year

digital braille, press braille

Offers science, art, archaeology, and history activities for ages 9�; includes contests and book and media reviews.

The Musical Mainstream

XMM1, XMM2, XMM3, XMM4, XMM5, XMM7

quarterly

audiocassette, digital braille, digital cartridge, digital download, large print, press braille

Selected articles from national magazines about classical music, music criticism, and music teaching; lists new NLS music acquisitions.

The Nation

NAT3, NAT4, NAT7

45 issues/year

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Covers foreign affairs, local and national politics, education, and law. Reviews films, theater, books, and the arts.

National Geographic

NGG1, NGG3, NGG4, NGG5, NGG7

monthly

audiocassette, digital braille, digital cartridge, digital download, press braille

Articles on world geography and cultures, plant and animal life, space exploration, and ancient history.

National Geographic Kids

NGW3, NGW4, NGW7

10 issues/year

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Articles for children about people, places, customs, animals, and plants. Packaged with Cricket.

National Review

NRV3, NRV4, NRV7

24 issues/year

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Presents a conservative viewpoint on business, politics, economics, education, and other subjects.

The New York Times Book Review

NYB1, NYB3, NYB4, NYB5, NYB7

weekly

audiocassette, digital braille, digital cartridge, digital download, press braille

Literary articles and book reviews from the Sunday New York Times.

The New York Times Large Print Weekly

NYT1, NYT5

weekly

digital braille, press braille

Highlights from the New York Times.

Back to top

News

NEW1, NEW5

quarterly

digital braille, press braille

NLS newsletter. National and international developments in library services to blind and physically handicapped individuals.

Odyssey: Adventures in Science

ODY3, ODY4, ODY7

9 issues/year

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Focus on science with emphasis on earth science and space. Each issue explores a single theme in depth; for grades 5�

Outdoor Life: The Source for Hunting and Fishing Adventure

OTL3, OTL4, OTL7

10 issues/year

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Adventures and experiences in hunting and fishing, information on conservation and game laws, reports on sporting equipment and techniques.

Parenting Early Years: Modern Families + Fresh Ideas

PAE1, PAE5

11 issues/year

digital braille, press braille

Articles on rearing children ages birth�.

Parenting School Years: Modern Families + Fresh Ideas

PAS1, PAS5

11 issues/year

digital braille, press braille

Articles on rearing children ages 6�.

PC World

PCW1, PCW5

monthly

digital braille, press braille

Information for computer users about hardware, software, advanced technology, and trends in the field; columns on product reviews and helpful hints.

People

PEO3, PEO4, PEO7

51 issues/year

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Celebrity news and interviews.

People en Español

PES3, PES4, PES7

11 issues/year

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

In Spanish. Articles about entertainers and newsworthy individuals of potential interest to Spanish-speaking readers.

Playboy: Entertainment for Men

PBY1, PBY5

11 issues/year

digital braille, press braille

Fiction, interviews, and articles with a male perspective.

Poetry

POE1, POE5

11 issues/year

digital braille, press braille

Contemporary poetry selected from a wide range of contributors and styles.

Popular Communications

PCM1, PCM5

monthly

digital braille, press braille

Articles of current and historical interest specifically for the radio hobbyist.

Popular Mechanics

PPM1, PPM5

monthly

digital braille, press braille

Practical advice for the amateur mechanic, information on automotive and home repairs, features on new equipment.

Popular Music Lead Sheets

XML1, XML5

irregular

digital braille, press braille

Melodies, lyrics, and chords to popular songs ranging from golden oldies to recent hits.

QST: Devoted Entirely to Amateur Radio

QST3, QST4, QST7

monthly

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Contains project-building ideas and news on all aspects of ham radio. Official publication of the American Radio Relay League.

Quarterly Music Magazine

QMM3, QMM4, QMM7

quarterly

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Special NLS program designed to provide a limited substitute for newsstand browsing. Readers are sent a different music magazine each quarter. Covers a variety of aspects and types of music, such as opera, jazz, and country, and instruments such as guitar and keyboard.

Rolling Stone

RST1, RST5

24 issues/year

digital braille, press braille

American popular culture in the arts and entertainment industry. Provides record, video, audiovisual, and computer hardware reviews.

Science News: Magazine of the Society for Science and the Public

SNW1, SNW5

biweekly

digital braille, press braille

Excerpts of reports on current programs in science, medicine, and technology.

Seventeen

SVT1, SVT5

10 issues/year

digital braille, press braille

Tips on beauty and fashion for young women, and articles on careers, education, family, social relations, and diet.

Short Stories

SSR1

monthly

press braille

Stories from contemporary writers. (UK)

Smart Computing in Plain English

CPZ3, CPZ4, CPZ7

monthly

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Articles on home computing and reviews of computer software and hardware.

Sound + Vision: Quality Entertainment. Everywhere

STR3, STR4, STR7

8 issues/year

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Reports on new sound equipment and record reviews, with emphasis on popular music.

Spider: The Magazine for Children

SPD1, SPD3, SPD4, SPD5, SPD7

9 issues/year

audiocassette, digital braille, digital cartridge, digital download, press braille

Stories, poems, jokes, and crafts for beginning readers ages 6�

Sports Illustrated

SPI3, SPE4, SPI7

51 issues/year

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

International sports news and articles with emphasis on American spectator sports. Features on sports personalities, sports events, and outdoor activities.

Sports Illustrated Kids

SPK3, SPK4, SPK7

monthly

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Sports news and articles for ages 8�. Features sports personalities, events, and sports cards; youths who are excelling in sports; regular column by youths discussing a controversial sports-related issue.

Sports Schedules

ABL1 and 5, NBL1 and 5, NBA1 and 5, NFL1 and 5, NHL1 and 5, WBA1 and 5, MLB1 and 5

annual

digital braille, press braille

Listings of games for six national sports leagues: American Baseball League, National Baseball League, National Basketball Association, National Football League, National Hockey League, and Women=s National Basketball Association. Includes combined schedule by date for American Baseball and National Baseball Leagues.

Stone Soup: The Magazine by Young Writers and Artists

STO1, STO5

bimonthly

digital braille, press braille

Stories, poems, illustrations, and book reviews created by children through age thirteen. Features an activities section with suggested related projects.

Talking Book Topics

TBT2, TBT3, TBT4, TBT7

bimonthly

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download, large print

Announcements of recorded books recently added to the Library of Congress collection, and news and developments in library services for blind and physically handicapped individuals. Cassette edition often includes the text of News. One-line annotations of books listed in Talking Book Topics are included in Braille Book Review.

Travel + Leisure

TAL3, TAL4, TAL7

monthly

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Articles on vacation sites and tour destinations with tips on food and photography.

True West: Preserving the American West

TWT3, TWT4, TWT7

monthly

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Nonfiction articles about the Old West written by historians and western buffs.

Update

UPD1, UPD5

quarterly

digital braille, press braille

NLS newsletter. News about volunteer programs and activities related to library services for blind and physically handicapped individuals.

Vanidades

VAN3, VAN4, VAN7

monthly

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

In Spanish. A general-interest magazine with an emphasis on style.

The Week: The Best of the U. S. and International Media

TWK3, TWK4, TWK7

48 issues/year

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

News and commentary on world events.

The Writer: Advice and Inspiration for Today's Writer

WRT3, WRT4, WRT7

monthly

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

New and established writers discuss their craft and work experiences. Regular columns feature trade news, contest information, and names and addresses of manuscript markets.

Young Adult Magazine of the Month

YAM3, YAM4, YAM7

monthly

audiocassette, digital cartridge, digital download

Special NLS program designed to provide a limited substitute for newsstand browsing for young adults. Readers are sent a different magazine each month.

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Media Index

Audiocassette, Digital Cartridge, Digital Download

Digital Braille

Large-Print

Press Braille

Compiled by
Ruth Nussbaum
August 2012

Reference Circular 12-01

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Posted on 2012-11-07