1996-98 a Busy Biennium for the Talking
Book Program—
TSLAC Report and Strategic Plan Available on Web Page
We hope the New Year has gotten off to a good start for all the
patrons of the Talking Book Program. Our staff is expecting 1999
to be as busy and productive as the past two years.
Talking Book Program circulated an all-time high of 870,836 volumes
in fiscal year 1998. Improved automation, changes in how books are
inspected and shelved, and volunteers contributed to making the
high volume possible.
Staff of the Talking Book Program answered more than 400,000 service
requests and 19,000 reference questions during 1996-1998 biennium.
The Volunteer Recording Studio celebrated its 20th anniversary.
Volunteers recorded 347 books during the biennium, including 21
in Spanish, as well as "Texas Highways," "Texas Parks & Wildlife,"
and "Texas Monthly."
It has been a busy two years, but we wish we could do more. The
Talking Book Program is only serving about 9% of Texans who are
eligible for the program.
If you'd like to know more about the Talking Book Program's activities
in the past two years, visit the Texas State Library and Archives
Commission's (TSLAC) site on the World Wide Web.
The Talking Book Program's budget will be under review during
the 76th Texas Legislative Session that began January 12, 1999.
Are You Getting a Busy Signal?
We know from our phone records that many of our patrons get a
busy signal when they call. Many of you have told us that it takes
several attempts to get through to a Reader Consultant.
We regret that, with our limited number of staff and phone lines,
we are not able to answer every call. We are always pleased to speak
to patrons, and we know how frustrating it can be to keep getting
a busy signal.
If you can call after hours or you don't need to speak with a
Reader Consultant, please consider:
- Voicemail. Call after business hours or on weekends and leave
a detailed message.
- E-mail. You can write to us at tbp.services@tsl.state.tx.us.
Flexible Disc Magazines Change to Cassette
Format
The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
is gradually phasing out the flexible disc format for magazines.
Effective with the January 1999 issues, the following magazines
will be provided only on cassette: "Civilization," "Consumer Reports,"
"Eating Well," "Ebony," "Good Housekeeping," "Money," "New York
Times Book Review," "People," "Smart Computing" (replacing "Equip"),
"Stereo Review," "Travel/Holiday," and "Working Woman."
Patrons who had been receiving them in the disc format were switched
over, and cassette players are being sent to everyone who needs
one.
If you no longer need your flexible disc player, please return
it to us in the box provided.
For information on these magazines or others, please call a Reader
Consultant at
1-800-252-9605.
Radio Plays Now Available
The Talking Book Program has received tapes of 31 radio plays recorded
by the Blue Ridge Players of North Carolina.
The titles range from the "Wizard of Oz" and "Jane Eyre," to works
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The radio plays are recorded on two-sided
tape at 1-7/8 (commercial) speed. For more information, contact
a Reader Consultant by phone, e-mail, or voicemail.
Thank You
... for your donations and bequests. Your tax-deductible gifts
enable us to expand our services. For information on how to make
a bequest, please call and request a brochure.
Talking Book Program
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
PO Box 12927
Austin TX 78711-2927
Telephone 1-800-252-9605, 512-463-5458 (in Austin)
Fax 512-936-0685
E-mail tbp.services@tsl.state.tx.us
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