Montana Talking Book Library Distributes New Digital Machines to Veteran Patrons

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2009
Contact: Sara Groves
(406) 444-5357

(HELENA) -- The Montana Talking Book Library will begin its rollout of new digital talking book services by providing new digital machines to patrons in Anaconda at the Hearst Free Library on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 10 a.m.

According to law, the first patrons to receive the new digital players will be men and women who served in the United States Military. Montana Talking Book Library staff will present the new digital talking book players to several Anaconda residents, all of whom served during World War II.

Anaconda veterans who will receive new digital talking book machines include:

  • Sid Beausoleil, age 86, a TBL patron since 2004, who has read over 520 books
  • Clarence Jones, age 87, a TBL patron since 2008
  • Svend Wind, age 82, a TBL patrons since 1994, who has read over 2,500 books

Once all interested veterans have received their players, other digital players will be distributed to MTBL patrons. The digital player rollout is a program of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. The goal of the program is to make the digital format the backbone of the library's talking book program by transferring onto special digital flash drives the 60,000 titles that the library has on audiocassettes and giving patrons new machines on which to play them.

"Putting these new digital players into the hands of our patrons means they will have a state-of-the-art way to read everything from the classics to the latest bestseller," said Christie Briggs, MTBL program manager.

There are numerous advantages to using a digital format for the storing of voice recordings. The sound quality is significantly improved and there are numerous conveniences that are not available with the current cassette format.

"Our patrons depend on our services to provide them with access to print materials that they would otherwise not be able to read," said Briggs. "It's important that we are able to provide them with a high-quality experience just as any Montana library patron would expect and as we all deserve."

The Montana Talking Book Library, a division of the Montana State Library, offers alternative reading materials for nearly 3,000 Montana citizens who have visual, physical, or reading challenges that prevent them from reading standard print.

Through its statewide programs, the Montana State Library empowers Montanans; enhances learning in families and communities; builds 21st Century skills; and provides opportunities for civic participation. For more information, visit http://msl.mt.gov. For more information, contact Sara Groves, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, at (406) 444-5357 or via e-mail at: sgroves@mt.gov.

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