Thank you for agreeing to promote the Talking Book Program
in your community by becoming a demonstration site. Please review the
following information explaining the policies and procedures of our demonstration
site program.
A. All demonstration sites will receive the following
items, which will arrive in separate mailings:
1. One cassette playback machine for use with Talking Book Program
cassettes
2. Three audio cassette tapes (one book in English, one magazine in
English and one book in Spanish)
3. A Promotion Packet of applications and promotional materials (brochures,
bookmarks and posters), a Tip Sheet on how to promote the Talking Book
Program in your community, and a statistics form to record each time
you demonstrate the program.
4. A Welcome Packet that contains information on the program, how to
care for your machine and catalogs of available materials.
By signing the application, you agree to the following policies:
B. Getting Started
1. When cassette playback machine arrives, operating instructions will
be included in printed form and on a cassette tape. If, after reviewing
the instructions, you need further assistance, please call us at 1-800-252-9605.
2. Please read the Welcome Packet carefully, as it will provide valuable
information on how to care for the machine, know how to keep it charged
etc.
3. Do not discard the box that the playback machine arrives
in. If your machine breaks or is defective, you will need the box to
return it to us postage paid. We will send you a replacement at no charge.
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C. Using the playback machine and cassettes:
Who may use the machine
and for what purpose?
1. The playback machine and all cassettes must remain at the demonstration
site at all times.
2. The playback machine and cassettes are for demonstration purposes
only.
3. These items may not be used for research or recreational use by
patrons or staff.
4. These items may not be checked out anyone for any purpose other
than demonstration.
5. The playback equipment and cassettes may be demonstrated to anyone
interested in the Talking Book Program.
D. Staying active in the program:
1. If the designated contact person for your demonstration site changes,
you should: Send us the name of the new contact person
Or
Return the playback machine and all cassettes to the Talking Book Program.
1. We will contact your twice a year to ensure that you wish to remain
an active demonstration site.
2. If you need suggestions on how to promote the program see flyer, "Tips
on How to Promote the Talking Book Program in your Community" (included
in your Promotional Packet) or go to our website: www.TexasTalkingBooks.org.
You may also contact the Public Awareness Coordinator of our program at
800-252-9605. We will be glad to assist you in finding ways to tell your
community about your demonstration site and services provided by the Texas
Talking Book Program.
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E. Reporting Statistics to Us About Your Site
1. We have provided a form in your Promotional Packet to record each
time you demonstrate the program and to how many people. You will be
asked to send us this information twice a year.
F. Reporting Problems With Equipment And Cassettes:
1. If a cassette breaks or is defective, return it to us and we will
replace it with a similar cassette. When returning a broken cassette,
place a rubber band around the cassette. Flip the mailing card that
came with your cassette box over so that the State Library's address
shows and mark an "X" on the upper left hand corner of the label. Contact
a Reader Consultant at 1-800-252-9605 and request a replacement book.
Replacements are not automatically sent when broken books are returned.
2. If you need to return a machine to be repaired or replaced, place
the machine in its original packaging and return it postage paid. To
ensure prompt delivery of a replacement machine, contact a Reader Consultant
at 1-800-252-9605.
G. Discontinuing Participation in the Demonstration Site Program:
If you wish to discontinue being a demonstration site you will need
to:
1. Send back all equipment and materials that are checked out to you.
Use the box that you have retained to send back the cassette player
and place the tapes in their green boxes. Send these items out with
your regular mail.
2. Send us a letter, signed by the institution's agent/representative
stating that you no longer wish to be a demonstration site.
On behalf of the Talking Book Program of Texas we once again
want to thank you for becoming a demonstration site. We look forward
to working with you to reach eligible patrons in your communities. If
you should have any questions please call us at
1-800-252-9605 or email us at tbp.services@tsl.state.tx.us
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Tip Sheet on How to Promote
the Talking Book Program in Your Community
- Create a display with Talking Book Program bookmarks, brochures and
applications (available in English and in Spanish-you can download
applications at www.TexasTalkingBooks.org). Make sure the display
is in a prominent place. Our large brochure opens into an 11"x17" inch
poster-encourage people to post this on their school, work or community
bulletin boards.
- Have your local library become a demonstration site. Each site will
receive a Talking Book cassette player and sample tapes (such as Texas
Monthly, Sports Illustrated for Kids, a bestseller in English and a
book in Spanish). Call 800-252-9605 to request an application.
- Host a community Talking Book Open House at your library. Have a
registration table available and demonstrate how the program works.
Send out press releases and invite your local media to see first hand
how you are reaching out to serve those with disabilities in your community.
- Host a storytime at your library that provides a teaching opportunity
about braille and people with disabilities. Use storybooks about Louis
Braille who invented the system when he was just 14! We can provide
you with braille alphabet cards or braille rulers as free give aways.
Children love the fact that braille is a secret code-have them write
messages using the braille alphabet. End with a discussion about how
some people read with their fingers and some read by listening.
- Create an exhibit in your school, library or house of worship about
Famous Texans with Disabilities. For resources go to the Governor's
Committee on People with Disabilities web site: http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/disabilities/resources/history
- Call your school districts and talk with the directors of special
education. Ask if they know that they can download the "Classroom
Guide to the Talking Book Program" booklet at www.TexasTalkingBooks.org.
- Ask your local paper to do a story about the Talking Book Program.
Use the press release that we provide in the Talking Book Online Organizing
Kit. Personalize the information using information about the number
of people we estimate are eligible in your county. The Library of Congress
estimates that 1.4 % of the total population have a qualifying disability.
Your county population X 1.4% = local eligible population.
- Place a camera-ready ad in your organizational or house of worship
newsletter. Camera-ready layouts for bookmarks also are available -
contact our public awareness coordinator.
- Talk about the program with your physician, optometrist and other
medical service providers. Ask them to promote the program to their
eligible patients.
- Talk with your friends, family and neighbors about the program. Remind
them that temporary disabilities may also qualify individuals for the
program.
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Talking Book Program Qualifications at a Glance:
Individuals qualify if they:
1. Have prescription glasses, yet are unable to read standard print material
without additional magnification devices
2. Have physical limitations that prevent them from holding books or turning
pages or if they are unable to do this for an extended period of time.
3. Are legally blind
4. Have reading disabilities due to an organic dysfunction.
5. Have severe chemical allergies that prevent them from reading a book.
Remember: you may qualify with a temporary disability. We
have patrons recovering from strokes, challenged with severe fatigue due
to illness, in hospice, recovering from severe accidents, etc. As long
as they currently meet one of the qualifying disabilities, they may be
enrolled with a temporary disability.
For more information contact:
Public Awareness Coordinator, Talking Book Program Texas
State Library and Archives Commission
800-252-9605 or 512-463-5452 or email at tbpinfo@tsl.state.tx.us
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