WebJunction

Award winning service and innovative programs

The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) was established by an act of Congress in 1931, and placed under the jurisdiction of the Library of Congress. Subsequent legislation expanded the program in the 1950's and 1960's. From a start of 19 libraries in 1931, the network has grown to 57 regional and 77 sub-regional libraries throughout the United States .

As the 2005 recipient of the NLS annual Network of the Year Award, the Illinois Talking Book and Braille Service has distinguished itself in this national network by creating and providing technology-related services to blind and physically handicapped readers in Illinois.

The Illinois State Library Talking Book and Braille Service plays a supporting role for the Illinois Network of Libraries Serving the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Administered by the Illinois Secretary of State, the Illinois program consists of a network of the regional library in Springfield and four library sites throughout the state known as Talking Book Centers. These libraries circulate unabridged books in audio format. The regional center in Springfield provides administrative functions, acts as a liaison with NLS, and maintains a reserve collection of braille and talking books.

Some of the services provided by the Illinois State Library Talking Book and Braille Service and the Talking Book Centers include...

• Illinois KidZone
  • A website for kids in the talking book program that has links to great books to read, great sites to go to, and information for teachers, librarians, parents, and kids about the talking book program.
• InfoEyes Information Service
  • A question and answer service for people with a visual impairment or other print limitation.
• TumbleBook Library
  • An online collection of animated, talking picture books which teach young children the joys of reading in a format they'll love.
• TumbleReadables
  • A collection of over 400 large print electronic books which allows you to read books online by simply clicking a button.
• Radio Information Service
  • Through a grant from the Illinois state Library, thousands of Illinois residents are able to use the Radio Information Services (RIS) each day to listen to broadcasts of local news. These programs are broadcast on a special radio called a sideband receiver. The receivers are distributed at no cost to qualified recipients.
• OPAL (Online Programming for Libraries)
  • Online Programming for All Libraries (OPAL) started in the Illinois talking-book community in 2003 as an accessible web-based book discussion, and is now popular in libraries worldwide

For additional information about the Illinois Talking Book Centers, browse the "See Also" section below. To locate your local Talking Book Center and other service agencies, use the locator provided by the Illinois State Library.

Photo Caption: Karen Bersche, from Mid-IL Talking Book Center is awarded the 2007 Skrzypek Award at ILA. Pictured in the photo from left to right: Sharon Ruda (Associate Director, Illinois State Library Talking Book and Braille Service), Phillip Skrypek (son of Alexander J. Skrzypek), Karen Bersche (2007 Skrzypek Award Winner) Joe Skrypek (grandson of Alexander J. Skrzypek), and Brad Baker (President of ILA)