Nevada’s Talking Book Service (NTBS) program has been around for decades, but many people have never heard of it – including those who qualify for its services.
NTBS is one of the cooperating libraries of the National Library Service providing books and magazines in audio form. It is provided for free to Nevadans who are unable to use standard print materials due to a visual disability, a physical disability like being unable to hold a book steady or turn pages, or reading disabilities like dyslexia.
NTBS is a program of the Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records.
Anyone who is a resident of the U.S. or its territories temporarily or permanently unable to see or hold print material is eligible for library services for the blind.
- An individual who is blind or has a visual impairment that makes them unable to comfortably read print books.
- An individual who has a perceptual or reading disability.
- An individual who has a physical disability that makes it hard to hold or manipulate a book or to focus or move the eyes as needed to read a print book.
The national program began in 1931 as part of the Pratt-Smoot Act. At the time, the program sent huge wooden crates full of audiobooks on stacks of very thin records to blind adults. Luckily for Nevadans, times have changed.
Now, however, there are a number of ways residents can receive their audiobooks: through preloaded cartridges with a manual player, through downloadable digital audiobook files, or even streaming through smart speakers like Alexa.
All are provided to patrons for free.
NTBS offers more than just novels.
In addition to fiction and nonfiction books, patrons can access periodicals, magazines, and even braille materials. The goal is to provide a well-rounded collection of reading material similar to what one would find at a public library.
After enrolling, patrons can select their interests, whether it be fiction, nonfiction, specific genres, or even specific authors. As they continue with the program, patrons can either edit their preferences themselves, or call staff at Talking Books to ask for recommendations. They can even set a preference on specific narrator gender or accents!
If users are unfamiliar with the literary landscape, library staff can help them track down materials they may enjoy based on their hobbies, favorite movies, or general interests.
The program utilizes software to select materials based on a patron’s reading preferences. If a user has specific book requests, those are prioritized first. However, if a patron has not made a request, the system will automatically select books based on their past reading history and preferences.
“We like to provide a mixed bag so people can experience a variety of topics and genres,” NTBS outreach coordinator Brett Silver said. “But reader preference is the most important for how we make our selections.”
Silver said he remembers one patron in particular who only wanted to read westerns, and Silver thinks he ended up reading every single western audiobook the program had to offer — which is currently sitting at around 6,000 titles in Western fiction alone.
The program also produces original recordings through its in-house studio, known as Digital Book Collection (DBC) recordings. These focus on books about Nevada or those written by Nevada-based authors.
There is no strict limit on how many books a patron can borrow at once. Some prefer large batches, while others request only a few titles at a time. Once a cartridge is returned, the system automatically sends the next batch out, ensuring a continuous reading experience for patrons.
Program Challenges
Silver said that while around 1,500 Nevadans are receiving free access to audiobooks and braille books, the program is still significantly underserving those who could benefit from it.
The largest barrier is the fact that most people don’t know the program even exists.
One of the major challenges in outreach, Silver said, is overcoming skepticism.
Many potential users, especially seniors or those in assisted living facilities, initially assume that calls about the program are from telemarketers, or scam artists.
“I called someone and as soon as I said ‘free’ – click, they hung up,” Silver said. “Because they’re thinking, ‘Oh, what’s the catch?’ It’s a completely free program, but unfortunately the mistrust is built up.”
Another barrier is enrollment; in order to enroll in the services, patrons must have their application signed by a doctor, librarian, teacher for the disabled, a medical professional, or any professional who can affirm the patron has a disability.
However, because of the skepticism and misunderstanding of the program, some individuals qualified to help are hesitant to sign off on paperwork.
“I actually had a patron call me one time he said, ‘You won’t believe how many issues I had trying to get somebody to sign off for me. They act like I’m trying to get drugs or something!’”
Silver said he was even with a potential patron once at a senior living complex when the woman’s Personal Care Assistant (PCA) came into the room. Silver tried to explain she could sign off, but the PCA declined because she “didn’t know what it was.”
“People are afraid of liability, but all we need is for them to just confirm this person has a disability and they can start receiving free services,” he said.
They also must compete with commercial audiobook services, which cost money, but are more well known to patrons.
Volunteers wanted
For those interested in supporting the Talking Books program, there are various ways to get involved.
The program welcomes volunteers who can assist in outreach efforts, help raise awareness, or even just lend their voice in recording Nevada-centric audiobooks!
Bringing more awareness to programs like Talking Books will help play a crucial role in ensuring that all individuals, regardless of disability, have access to the joy of reading, Silver said. The program remains committed to breaking down barriers and fostering a lifelong love of books at no cost.
Community members who wish to learn more or get involved can visit the program’s website or reach out directly:
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