Download & Print
The Lakehills Area Library now provides access to the Talking Book Program, complete with machine, instructions, and applications. The program benefits those who are visually impaired.
Photo by Vicki L. George
June 9, 2021
Lakehills Area Library Leanings
By Vicki L. George
The Bandera Prophet
The Lakehills Area Library is excited to announce a new service for our patrons. The Texas Talking Book Program is a free library service for people who cannot read standard print because of visual, physical, or reading disabilities, whether temporary or permanent. All equipment and services are free, including return postage.
The TBP is a division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Since 1931 the 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 to eligible veterans.
The TBP serves approximately 16,000 readers by processing between 8,000 to 10,000 books and magazines on an average weekday. Most of the program’s readers are more than 60 years old, including patrons who are 100 years old and older. Young, school-age readers also participate by using the program. Research shows that 1.4 per cent of the total population is eligible. Books are available in large print, Braille, or digital audio and can be downloaded from a computer or mobile app. The TBP provides players to use with recordings.
People with various situations participate in this program, such as: A man with macular degeneration who reads books in large print; a woman who cannot hold a book reads short stories on digital cartridges; a veteran who is blind who reads Braille books for pleasure; and a high school student with dyslexia who downloads novels for English class to her smartphone.
The National Library Service contracts with professional narrators to record books and magazines. The 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 more than 80 magazines. Consultants are available to suggest books and answer questions. The program is available in English and Spanish, All genres are included, such as fiction, nonfiction, mysteries, westerns, sci-fi, romances, history, cookbooks, and more.
To get your Talking Book Program started, come to the Lakehills Area Library. We have a sample machine set up and applications on hand; we will help you fill out the application. You can also call 800-252-9605 or go to the website http://TEXASTALKINGBOOKS.ORG
The library’s hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Masks are required, as is social distancing. It is located at 7200 FM 1283 and the phone number is 830-510-2777. The email address is lakehillslibrary@gmail.com. Their website is lakehillslibrary.org.
The TBP is a division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Since 1931 the 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 to eligible veterans.
The TBP serves approximately 16,000 readers by processing between 8,000 to 10,000 books and magazines on an average weekday. Most of the program’s readers are more than 60 years old, including patrons who are 100 years old and older. Young, school-age readers also participate by using the program. Research shows that 1.4 per cent of the total population is eligible. Books are available in large print, Braille, or digital audio and can be downloaded from a computer or mobile app. The TBP provides players to use with recordings.
People with various situations participate in this program, such as: A man with macular degeneration who reads books in large print; a woman who cannot hold a book reads short stories on digital cartridges; a veteran who is blind who reads Braille books for pleasure; and a high school student with dyslexia who downloads novels for English class to her smartphone.
The National Library Service contracts with professional narrators to record books and magazines. The 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 more than 80 magazines. Consultants are available to suggest books and answer questions. The program is available in English and Spanish, All genres are included, such as fiction, nonfiction, mysteries, westerns, sci-fi, romances, history, cookbooks, and more.
To get your Talking Book Program started, come to the Lakehills Area Library. We have a sample machine set up and applications on hand; we will help you fill out the application. You can also call 800-252-9605 or go to the website http://TEXASTALKINGBOOKS.ORG
The library’s hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Masks are required, as is social distancing. It is located at 7200 FM 1283 and the phone number is 830-510-2777. The email address is lakehillslibrary@gmail.com. Their website is lakehillslibrary.org.