Stouffville, ON, February 17, 2010 –The Talking Book Library (TBL), a national program of cbm Canada, will launch its 25th Anniversary with an Open House on April 12, from 4 to 7 p.m., at 3844 Stouffville Rd., Stouffville.
The TBL brings encouragement, companionship and hope to Canadians who have a print disability. It offers a wide range of professionally produced Christian audio books that stimulate personal spiritual growth, provide enjoyment and encourage future learning.
“TBL’s goal is to enrich the lives of all Canadians who are blind, visually impaired or who have a print disability,” says Sandy Klauke, Manager of the Talking Book Library. “We provide and promote accessible, high quality, Christian material to Canadians, free of charge.”
What constitutes a “print disability”?
Klauke says people who can’t use conventional print due to visual impairments, physical limitations, neurological impairments or even learning disabilities are considered print disabled.
“For example, if someone has to read with a magnifying glass, or someone can’t physically hold a book or even if a person finds that words float around on a page, these people have a print disability,” explains Klauke. “They are eligible to borrow from TBL’s library.”
From its collection of over 2,000 titles, patrons can choose from biographies, fictional novels, inspirational literature, devotionals, and Bible studies along with other Christian literature.
Prominent authors include Janette Oke, Grace Livingston Hill, Charles Swindoll, Max Lucado, Karen Kingsbury and Gilbert Morris.
Patrons are loaned a TBL catalogue to select their choice of audio books. These are then mailed, free of charge, through Canada Post.
An estimated one million Canadians have some form of age-related macular degeneration. And that number is expected to double in 25 years.
As their sight deteriorates, people with macular degeneration no longer have access to the work of their favourite Christian authors nor the Godly insight and blessing these books give.
The TBL provides this growing audience with dearly loved Christian literature.
“Our patrons have told us that TBL improves their quality of life,” says Klauke. “I often receive notes or phone calls from our patrons telling me that TBL’s audio books have brought them encouragement, companionship and hope.
“Many people have told me how they loved reading all of their lives but when they started to lose their sight, they were worried they would never have the pleasure of reading another book again. They are grateful to the TBL for filling this void in their lives.”
TBL’s vision is to be the principal resource of quality Christian literature for all Canadians with blindness or print disabilities.
To learn more about The Talking Book Library, visit www.cbmcanada.org/tbl.
