The Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library Services
Welcome to the Florida Division of Blind Services, Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library Services Page. If you or someone you know has trouble reading print because of an eye problem or reading disability, or has difficulty holding a book because of arthritis, a stroke, or an accident, the Braille and Talking Book Library can help keep you in touch with books.
New Digital Talking Player Books and Books
The Library is pleased to announce that we have now begun the statewide testing of the new digital talking book players and books.
This week the Library mailed digital talking book players and books to the 500 test customers in Florida, and by Monday all testers should have received their player and at least one book. The digital talking books are on flash cartridges and start playing as soon as the book is inserted into the player. Right now the Library only has 37 copies of 54 digital talking book titles, so testers will receive whatever digital books the Library has available. The Library may receive additional digital talking book titles for the testers in late June.
The Library has no digital players for distribution to the general readership and doesn't expect to have any until late summer. At this time, the Library is not taking requests from non-testers for the digital equipment and books.
So far there have been no significant problems reported with the players or the books. The Library has had some technical glitches with the barcodes and other issues that are transparent to customers. There may be a problem with some mail cards falling out of the mailing containers, and the Library of Congress is working to resolve this issue. If no significant problems with the players or books are identified in Florida or any of the other seven test states, the Library of Congress will begin mass production and distribution of the new materials later this year.
2009 Julie Klauber Award Recipient
Keystone Systems, a leading provider of software and services for libraries with distinctive needs, announced Debra Martin of Brevard County Talking Books Library (BCTBL) is the recipient of the 2009 Julie Klauber Award.
Martin was one of three finalists narrowed down from a field of nine nominees. She was co-nominated by Patrice Johnson of Chicago Public Library Talking Book Center and Theresa Cardone of the Brevard County Talking Books Library.
"Under her management, BCTBL has managed to offer patrons quality library service, averted multiple threats of closure and reduced financial expenditures. Thanks to Debra's hard work, creativity and initiative, the library has thrived under her leadership, despite these serious challenges" according to Johnson.
Martin has taken on additional responsibilities and recruited volunteers to cover vacant positions. She has expanded services including a new quarterly newsletter and programs such as BCTBL Title Pursuers Book Discussion Group, BCTBL Monthly Film and Fun Day, and BCTBL Adult Summer Reading Program.
Martin says this award "will bring much needed recognition and continued support to our department from our library system and the community at large, along with much needed publicity to the Talking Books Program."
As this year's Julie Klauber Award recipient, Martin receives a trip to the 2009 KLAS Users' Conference in San Diego, CA provided by Keystone Systems including airfare, hotel and conference registration fees. "By participating in the conference, I will be able to obtain valuable information and ideas from other libraries and Keystone staff to help enhance our program," says Martin.
The Julie Klauber Award is awarded annually by Keystone Systems to one library staff member or volunteer who works with KLAS in their daily job functions, and who has shown outstanding service to their library and the community in the spirit of Julie Klauber.
The award is named for Julie Klauber who was a national expert and leader on disability issues. Julie served as the director of Talking Books Plus library in Suffolk County, NY, and authored several articles on library resources and services for people with disabilities.
Library Services
To better understand what we have available:
- Take a short video tour of Braille and Talking Book Library Services;
- View the Library's Frequently Asked Questions; or
- Read Braille and Talking Library Services at a Glance.
Facts about the Library
The Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library Services serves more than 39,000 Florida residents who cannot use standard print reading materials as the result of a visual, physical, or reading disability. It is the largest library of its kind in the U.S., with a collection of more than 2.4 million items in Braille or on cassette, and annual loans exceeding 1.6 million items.
News and Hot Topics
Keep up with news about talking books or library services
The National Library Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) is working on a project to provide readers with a digital format of reading materials. Learn more by following these links: