Digital Talking Books Celebrated by Librarians Serving Blind and Physically Handicapped Readers

News release from the Library of Congress "The delivery of high-quality-sound book cartridges and easy-to-navigate players was the result of 10 years of research, planning, and development," said Frank Kurt Cylke, NLS director. "The digital talking-book system will eventually replace cassettes and the machines used to play them in the homes of all our patrons."

Tom Miller, executive director of the Blinded Veterans Association, lauded the librarians for their work. He said that "besides not being able to drive anymore, not being able to read" is a concern to soldiers who return from the war blind. "The service you provide is truly a joy and a pleasure to us."

Read the whole story here:
http://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2010/10-146.html

Postal Service seeks 5-day delivery

Read the USA today article here:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2010-03-01-postalservice_N.htm

This is bad news for Talking Book Libraries and Patrons. Digital download of books through BARD will help but the transition to digital is slow. Currently less than half of NKTBL's patrons have the digital players that are required for BARD service. Talking book players are also sent through the mail. That means if a person’s player breaks after the Thursday mail pick-up, the soonest they could get a replacement player would be Monday.