Everyone has a library story; the joy of discovering a new favorite book, the comfort of revisiting an old classic, the thrill of learning something new. This year, Kansas Talking Books Week celebrates the theme Your Story, Our Mission, highlighting the incredible impact that talking books have on our patrons across the state.

A Sense of Calm and Safety. 

I have used Kansas Talking Books services for as long as I can remember. I had (and still have) a big talking book reader that I used to listen to audiobooks on by putting cartridges inside. Technology has advanced a lot since I was a child, and I can now listen to books on my phone and iPad with BARD Mobile, but the principle is the same. I love audiobooks. Not only do they allow visually impaired people like me to read accessibly, they are also nostalgic, convenient, and a source of comfort that isn't comparable to other activities or forms of reading. Who doesn't love being read to? There are several narrators who's voices I now find nostalgic and comforting because of my long history with Kansas Talking Books, and I can always rely on BARD to bring me a sense of calm and safety. 

Mara, Manhattan. 

Talking Books Saved My Sanity. 

I lost my sight at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. I knew about audio books for the visually challenged but didn’t know how to get access. I obtained the paperwork from the VA and my dad filled it out. In no time BARD was in touch. KTB sent out a player and five cartridges with five books on each!  

I was and am so thankful for this service! It was isolating to be blind during COVID with no visual rehab access. They saved my sanity! The team is always there for questions, suggestions, and so kind too! I love the BARD Mobile app and have read so many books! 

Heidi, Marysville. 
 

A Note of Thanks

After Bill passed away at the age of 103, his daughter sent us a kind note, thanking us for the books we sent and the conversations they inspired. 

I am writing you to express my gratitude for the Talking Book Services of Kansas. You provided my father many, many hours of enjoyment during his last couple of years when living at the Forum Assisted Living in Overland Park. Dad passed the first week of March 2024. He was 103 years. Throughout his life he enjoyed reading until macular degeneration left him without sight. The Talking Books Program not only gave him enjoyment but also enabled him to engage in interesting conversations with others. I live in Florida and phoned him everyday. We would talk about what he was reading and quite often it led to conversations about the topic. I thank all of you!  

Note from the daughter of Bill, Overland Park. 

 

My Dad’s Talking Books Story.  

After my Mom passed away, I became my Dad’s caregiver. My Dad had Parkinson’s but he also started having trouble reading regular print and then Large Print. Even though he knew I was a Talking Books Consultant, he never asked about the service for himself. After mentioning to me that he was struggling with reading Large Print, I said to him, “Dad, I help individuals with blindness and visual & physical impairments sign up for Talking Books so they can enjoy reading again.” I encouraged him to try Talking Books and he agreed. My Dad loved his Talking Books! I downloaded quite a few at a time from BARD to an iPad for him to listen to. Anytime he was running low on books, he would tell me I needed to download some more for him. I went to Dad’s house every day, and many times, he would be watching sports on TV with the sound muted and listening to his Talking Books! 

My Dad went with me to Senior Fairs in Dodge City and Salina. I could hear Dad telling people who stopped by our booth how he struggled to read because his vision was getting worse, and how he enjoyed his Talking Books. Dad was my best advocate for the service, but more importantly, I saw firsthand how Talking Books took the frustration out of reading and enriched his life. 

Cathy, Great Bend. 

Donna's Talking Book Story.

The talking book program has been an invaluable resource in my own personal story. It has played an integral part in every stage of my reading journey.

With the assistance of KTB, I have been able to read to our preschool children, help them succeed in their educational careers, strategize for one child’s mild dyslexia, and present assistive devices in classrooms, as well as adult groups. KTB has supplied hours of entertainment during children’s various activities, at playdates, in medical waiting rooms, and during travel by bus, car, or airplane. Even the pets are talking book fans, as they listen while I multitask--perform household duties, solo exercise, recover from surgeries, and utilize the sleep feature for insomnia.

Currently, I participate in various speaking engagements. In one group, I am able to read along with them, to share specific sections of books using the bookmark feature, and to contrast books with the group quickly and efficiently because of the capability of downloading more than one book onto a cartridge. In addition, KTB provides the informational tools I need to implement small ladies’ meetings. Furthermore, I create and perform parodies for different groups, and at my latest meeting, I combined the two activities. KTB offered a solution to one of my challenges. I was using my computer for my power point presentation, so Maggie downloaded my parody soundtrack onto a cartridge for easy access on my player. The meeting was a success, and we had a beautiful time!

The talking book program has been an invaluable resource for my own narrative. It has greatly benefited me in every stage of my reading journey. Moreover, it has also indirectly benefited those with whom I’ve been in contact. It is my heartfelt desire that this service continues to serve the community and will be available for future generations.

Of course, the talking book program is only as valuable as its Reader’s Advisors. They have always treated me with courtesy, respect, and an eagerness to help. Their hard work, dedication to their jobs, and assistance are sincerely appreciated. Thanks, KTB! Congratulations on your Kansas Talking Books Week and best of luck in all future endeavors!

Donna, Emporia.

Never Stop Learning.

I first learned about the talking book program back in the spring of 1982 when I was with my vocational rehab counselor at Services for the Blind, now the Department of Aging and Disability Services. I was always a big reader and when I could tell I wasn’t reading print very well because of my vision, I thought “Oh no! There goes everything”, but, of course, it didn’t. I learned about the use of the closed-circuit TV and Learning Ally, but my main emphasis was to have talking books be my source of entertainment, which it was. The first two titles I received were Dress Gray, a murder mystery based at West Point and Yes I Can, the first of two volume autobiography by Sammy Davis Jr., both really good books. Now, can I tell you all the books I’ve read since then? No. 

I’ve always used the Talking Books program to inform me of what’s going on politically, economically, and socially. I love the history, autobiography, biography, and of course the fiction. You can’t beat that. This is my entertainment and I really, really enjoy that I can learn from someone’s life, learn how things work, learn how I can improve my life and the lives of others. Just basically learning and never stop learning. 

The people that run the program are quite a nice crew. Getting to know everybody over the years and get reading suggestions from different perspective is always good. I enjoy networking with other groups such as the Manhattan reading club and learning what they like to read. 

Talking books has made me a more complete person, allowing me to read things I wouldn’t ordinarily experience like traveling to Hawaii, landing on the moon, and ancient Greek texts. I learn about subjects I avoided in college like psychology and poetry, and discover new pieces of literature and information.

Leo, Derby.