Kansas Governor Laura Kelly extended her congratulations to the State Library of Kansas, Talking Books Division as they mark the 50th anniversary of free audio library services for the blind.

The Kansas Talking Books Service was established in 1970, making 2020 the Kansas program’s 50th anniversary.  Today this division of the State Library of Kansas, now located in Emporia, serves nearly 4,000 print disabled individuals across the state with the assistance of outreach centers in Norton, Dodge City, Great Bend, and Iola.

In recognition of this achievement, Gov. Laura Kelly issued a proclamation naming the week of March 2nd-6th as Talking Books Week.

“I offer my sincerest congratulations and thanks to the State Library of Kansas, Talking Books Division for 50 years of service to people living with visual and other physical impairments in Kansas,” Governor Kelly said. “I share the division’s mission to ensure all Kansans have access to reading materials, and I look forward to seeing the Talking Books Service continue to grow and thrive so that every person in our state can develop the literacy skills needed to excel in school and in life.”

As part of the week-long celebration, the State Library of Kansas will host “Artistic Abilities: Celebrating Unique Talents,” an art show featuring the works of Kansans with print disabilities. Works by six Talking Books patrons will be displayed in the State Library’s foyer in the Kansas Statehouse, from March 2-6. An opening reception is scheduled for Monday, March 2 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 

“As we celebrate 50 years of service to Kansans with visual and physical impairments,” State Librarian Eric Norris said, “we are looking forward to new and exciting developments in delivery methods for accessible digital materials.  It’s critical that the print-impaired community have access to the same technological, educational and entertainment opportunities as their sighted friends.”

When the Pratt-Smoot Act became law on March 3, 1931, the Library of Congress was authorized to make arrangements with other libraries to circulate books for blind adults. By 1933, sound recordings were perfected enough to record a book of up to 60,000 words on eight or nine discs to be distributed to the blind. Among the first titles chosen were the Declaration of Independence, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, and Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

Today, people with print impairments have the option of downloading accessible books and magazines directly to their phones and tablets using the BARD Mobile app.

To ensure “That All May Read,” the Kansas Talking Books Library Service provides resources in specialized formats free-of-charge to Kansans unable to use standard print. To learn more about services from the State Library’s Talking Books division, call toll-free 1-800-362-0699 or visit kslib.info/talking.