Lakehills library gets new program
Courtesy Photo
The Lakehills Area Library is excited to announce that we have a new service for our readers.
The Texas Talking Book Program (TBP) is a free library service for people who cannot read standard print because of visual, physical, or reading disabilities, whether temporary or lifelong need.
All equipment and services are free, including return postage.
TBP is a division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Since 1931, TBP has participated as a regional library of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, a division of the Library of Congress. The Talking Book Program gives priority service to eligible veterans.
TBP serves approximately 16,000 readers by processing between 8,000 and 10,000 books and magazines on an average weekday.
Most of the programas readers are over 60 years old, including patrons who are 100 years old or older. Young, school aged readers also participate by using.
Research shows that 1.4 percent of the total population is eligible.
Books are available in large print, Braille, digital audio and can be downloaded from a computer or mobile app.
TBP provides players to use with recordings.
Various people participate in the Talking Book Program: a man with macular degeneration reads books in large print; a woman who cannot hold a book reads short stories on digital cartridges; a veteran who is blind reads Braille books for pleasure; and a high school student with dyslexia downloads novels for English class to her smartphone.
The National Library Service contracts with professional narrators to record books and magazines.
TBP also produces books to supplement the national collection. Volunteers record books, including Spanish language, and Texas magazines, such as Texas Monthly right here in Texas.
Readers may select from over 100,000 books and 80+ magazines. Consultants are available to suggest books and answer questions. The program is available in both English and Spanish.
Both fiction and nonfiction are available, such as mysteries, westerns, sci-fi, romances, history, cookbooks, and more.
To get your Talking Book Programming started, you can come to Lakehills Area Library. We have a sample machine set up and applications on hand. We can assist you in filling out the application.
You can also call 1-800- 252-9605 or go to the website TEXASTALKINGBOOKS.ORG.
Dianna Landes is the director of the Lakehills Area Library.