Never Stop Reading: Kentucky Talking Book Library Introduction &

UpdatesLauren Abner

Librarian, KTBLlauren.abner@ky.gov

1-800-372-2968(502) 564-8300 ext 279

Kate SumnerLibrarian, KTBL

kate.sumner@ky.gov 1-800-372-2968

(502) 564-8300 ext 283

This session will cover…

• Services available through the Kentucky Talking Book Library (KTBL)

• Eligibility for the service & how to apply• How this service can improve the lives of

your customers, family members or friends (or even yourself!)

Talking Books: The Basics

• Free library service for individuals with:– Visual disabilities– Physical disabilities affecting

the ability to hold a book or turn its pages

– Some physically-based reading disabilities certified by a medical doctor

– May be permanent or temporary

• Also for institutions such as schools, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers that serve these individuals

A Network of Libraries

• Available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam

• Available to qualifying American citizens living abroad

• Find more about the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped:

http://www.loc.gov/nls/

Braille Books

• Braille books for adults, teens, and children

• Print-Braille books—children’s picture books with Braille overlay

• Braille magazine subscriptions by mail

• Downloadable Braille for refreshable displays

Talking Books

• Digital talking books for adults, teens, and children

• Digital Kentucky books• Local recordings from

other states • Magazines

subscriptions by mail• Digital talking books

and magazines for download

Free Matter Mailing

• Library of Congress pays for mail sent, “Free Matter for the Blind and Physically Handicapped”

• Shipping cards for Braille books and Talking Books have “Free Matter” postage regulation printed on them

• Players & equipment eligible

• Request lists from patrons

Applying for Service

• Fill out the KTBL or generic NLS application– Call or e-mail to request a paper copy– Download from our website: www.kdla.ky.gov

(Choose link for Kentucky Talking Book Library)• Make sure the second page is signed by a

Certifying Authority (not a relative):– For visual & physical disabilities: doctors, nurses,

librarians, social workers, teachers, ministers, or other government officials

– For reading disabilities: doctors of medicine or osteopathy

Digital Talking Book Player

Standard Player Advanced Player

Key Features

• Built-in audio instructions

• Variable speed and tone controls

• Sleep button• Portable – carrying

handle, weighs 2 lbs.• Rechargeable battery• Plays DAISY-format

audiobooks, mp3, WAV, AMR-WB+

• Optional accessories: headphones, amplifier, pillow speaker

Optional Players for Purchase

• Third-party players that play Talking Book cartridges or downloadable digital Talking Books:– Humanware Victor Reader

Stream– APH Bookport Plus or

Braille Mobile Manager– PLEXTALK Pocket/PTN2– Levelstar Icon– Apex BrailleNote/VoiceNote– HIMS Booksense and

Sense Notetaker– Milestone 212/312

Photo from www.humanware.com

Coming Soon: Apps

iOS Devices: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch

Android Smartphones and Tablets

Downloading Books

• BARD: Braille and Audio Reading Download• 27,000 audiobooks & dozens of magazines

available 24/7• No waiting list or limits on number of downloads• Files never expire• New books available on BARD before Talking Book

libraries receive copies• Thousands of downloadable Braille books, music

instruction and theory books, and expanded foreign language titles coming soon

• Other new features: wishlist, ‘has-had’ list.

BARD Main Page

BARD Book Record

KTBL’s Collection

• Books for adults, teens, and children• Fiction & non-fiction• Bestsellers: NYT, WaPo, LAT• Special areas of focus: veterans,

disabilities• Unusual genres for audiobooks:

cooking, gardening, home repair, crafts

• Unique source for some titles:

Pauline’s, The Catcher in the Rye

Digital Kentucky Titles

• Recorded in Frankfort by volunteers• Supplements the national collection of Talking

Books• Authors include: Jesse Stuart, Thomas Clark, Jan

Watson, James Still, Wendell Berry• Kentucky history and biographies: Hatfields &

McCoys, Daniel Boone, Jenny Wiley, the Civil War

Selecting Books

• Personalized service: books chosen by a librarian based on reading interests

• Talking Book Topics – bimonthly large-print or audio catalog

• Braille Book Review – bimonthly Braille or large-print catalog

• Hear about an author or title? Call, e-mail, or mail a list

• As many books as you can read and return

Magazines

• Dozens of audio magazines like National Geographic, People, The Week, Good Housekeeping, Money, Discover, and Sports Illustrated

• Dozens of Braille magazines like Ladies Home Journal, Rolling Stone, Muse, Seventeen, and Playboy

• Available by mail or for download• Digital cartridge version available

soon

Music Collection

• Stored in D.C. and loaned directly to patrons– Loan time: 3 months, easy to renew

• Patrons may call directly or KTBL librarians will request on their behalf by calling NLS at 1-800-424-8567 or sending an e-mail to nlsm@loc.gov.

• Musical scores in large-print and Braille• Books on instruction, theory, and history available

in Braille or audio format

NFB Newsline®• Newspaper and magazine service from the National

Federation of the Blind• Listen by telephone or access online • E-mail articles, download for digital player; iPhone app• KTBL patrons are automatically eligible• 9 Kentucky newspapers: Appalachian News Express,

Bowling Green Daily News, Corbin Times-Tribune, Kentucky New Era, Lexington Herald Leader, Louisville Courier-Journal, Maysville Ledger Independent, Owensboro Messenger Inquirer, Paducah Sun

• Cats’ Pause added by KTBL• Other content: TV listings, KY Info Channel, voting info,

AccuWeather, Central KY Radio Eye livestream

Why Is This Service Important?

• Staying informed through continued literacy– “I am thrilled with this service. It has liberated me from

the bondage of not being able to read because of my degenerated eyes and I can continue to study & learn what others are writing regarding dogs behavior, psychology, phobias, etc. This is a fantastic service for the visually impaired & other handicaps. You may quote me anytime.” – Marianne C., 2009 survey comment

• Connecting with a larger world– 2011 survey comment: “I'm very grateful for the service.

It allows me to stay connected with my community and the world because reading enlarges one's vision and connectedness depending on what you read.”

Why Is This Service Important?

• Maintaining independence– “The new digital player enables our daughter to use the

player by herself. She is a C.P. Patient and really enjoys your service. The new download site will also enable her to choose her own books and download them herself. She uses the "Words Plus" software to operate her computer which allows her freedom to search for a book without Mom or Dad helping her with the task. It's another way for her to have her independence. Thanks again for such an awesome service!” – 2010 survey comment

How You Can Help

• You probably know or will know someone who could benefit from Talking Books or Braille– 3.1% of Kentuckians have a visual disability:

130,000 people!• Many who qualify for the service don’t know we

exist• Social workers, rehabilitation counselors, and other

government officials can certify applications– You can empower someone by connecting them

with Talking Books!

Contact KTBL

For applications, brochures, questions, or requests, contact KTBL 4 ways:

– E-mail: KTBL.Mail@ky.gov – Call: 1-800-372-2968 or (502) 564-8300 ext 276– Mail: Kentucky Talking Book Library

PO Box 537

Frankfort, KY 40602– Come in person: Kentucky Dept. for Libraries &

Archives, 300 Coffee Tree Road in Frankfort. Talking Books is on the second floor

• Follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KDLA.KTBL