Reading for All

Debbi MacLeodDirector, Colorado Talking Book Library

June 5, 2009

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What if you couldn’t read anymore or saw the world

this way...

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Macular Degeneration

•Source: National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health

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Cataracts

•Source: National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health

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Diabetic Retinopathy

•Source: National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health

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Glaucoma & Retinitis Pigmentosa

•Source: National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health

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How many people have vision problems?

• In the United States, based on many surveys over the years, the incidence of vision problems is 9.3% of the population.

• Total estimates: 28 million people for 2008• Total estimates for Colorado: 442,000 people for

2006

• 20 million people over 40 have cataracts• 2 million people have glaucoma• 2 million people have macular degeneration with 8

million at severe risk• 4 million people have diabetic retinopathy

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But vision is only one part of the story…

• Physical disabilities cause reading problems– Stroke

• 308,000 survivors– Multiple Sclerosis

• 400,000 people in US– Parkinson’s

• 1 million people in US– Cerebral Palsy

• 500,000 people in US– Spinal Cord Injuries

• ~301,000 people in US

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But vision is only one part of the story…

• Learning disabilities– Almost 4.2 million public school-aged

children have been identified– Not all types affect reading

• So what does a person do?...

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NLS Talking Book Network

• NLS – National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

• Part of the Library of Congress• Started in 1931 with 19 libraries• A network library in every state of

country• US citizens overseas are serviced by

NLS in Washington DC

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Colorado Talking Book Library

A Free Service to Colorado’s Print Disabled

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How do people find CTBL?

• Referring agents are critical in getting the word out to eligible residents

• Patrons are referred by:– 20% by family and friends– 12% by schools– 4% by public libraries

• All information located at: www.myctbl.org

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CTBL Serves

• 7,000 individuals across Colorado – Located in every county– 55% of patrons are over 61 years old– 30% of patrons have college degree– 29% of patrons have some college

• 300 organizational accounts– Schools, nursing homes, hospitals,

public libraries

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How the Service Works

• An application is submitted• Library materials are sent through the

mail – postage paid under “Free Matter for the Blind & Physically Handicapped”

• A playback machine is sent to new patron

• Books and materials are mailed out• TBT or BBR

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Front Reception

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Children’s Large Print

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Reader Advisors

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Braille Collection

5,000 Titles

11,000 Items

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Large Print Collection

14,000 Titles

17,000 Items

Also have:Descriptive Video

313 Titles

604 Items

56,000 Titles

445,000 ItemsBack to 1975

2,000 Titles of locally recorded books

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Talking Book Collection

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Digital Books - 3 Ways

Digital Talking Book SystemDue August 2009

NLS BARD – digital download

Unabridged – digital books via Overdrive & MP3 player

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Mail Operations

Rewinding TapesProcess 3000 pieces of mail daily

Rewinding tapes

Quality check tapes

Barcoding collection

Cleaning machines

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Mail Operations

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Volunteers

• Volunteers provide 8 full time equivalents to CTBL

• ~180 volunteers per wk

• Work in:Mail OperationsMachine RepairRecording StudioDuplicating RoomMailings - Newsletter

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Machine Repair

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Recording Studio

Record on average 7 books per month.

Takes 3 people to record a book.

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Friends of CTBL

• The Friends is a 501(C)(3) non-profit that supports the library

• Provides funding for: summer reading programs, a Reader Advisor position, the Library Automation System, the Volunteer Recognition Brunch and the conversion of the recording studio to digital.

• Without their support we would be toast

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In the Patron’s Words…

“Thanks for the window on the world! I am very grateful for the service.” Helen

“Thank you!! For giving me so many hours of pure joy. Without your books I would have many empty hours.” Charla

“How can I thank you for saving my sanity?” Texie

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Thank You

Debbi MacLeod

Macleod_d@cde.state.co.us

303-727-9277

Thanks to National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health for the use of their photographs

Sources: US Census, Lighthouse International, Association web sites

www.myctbl.org