Talking Books Program Draws Library Of Congress Honors
By Space Coast Daily // July 12, 2013
ABOVE VIDEO: Promotional video about Brevard County Libraries Lending Library machine. The Lending Library has a collection of popular titles which are refreshed monthly.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Brevard County Libraries’ Talking Books Department was named “Network Subregional Library of the Year” in an award from the Library of Congress, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, during ceremonies last month in Washington, D.C.
The Brevard County Talking Books Library, a subregional library of the Florida Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library Services network, received the award for outstanding service to blind and disabled readers. The annual award, in its seventh year, carries a $1,000 cash prize.
NLS presented the award to Brevard County Libraries Director Jeff Thompson and Talking Books Department Supervisor Debra Martin in the Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress.
FULL-TIME STAFF OF ONE
The Brevard County Talking Books Library is located in the Brevard County Public Library in Cocoa. It has a full-time staff of one — Debra Martin — a part-time support-staff member, and a committed group of more than 25 volunteers.
In 2012 the library served nearly 1,600 residents and institutions in Brevard County and circulated about 120,000 braille and talking books.
“This was a tremendous honor, as Brevard was recognized as the best in the nation,” Thompson said. “It was so gratifying to see the work of Debra and her team nationally recognized. I could not be prouder of them.”
The Talking Books Library hosts adult reading programs, assistive technology resource fairs, and film and book discussion programs.
It also maintains partnerships with more than 150 agencies and keeps patrons and supporters informed through Twitter and Facebook.
“Our volunteers are integral to the daily operation of the library and without doubt are one of the main reasons the library has flourished,” Martin said.
“Our network of partnerships also has proven to be vital to increasing awareness of the program and boosting new-patron registration.”
THE NETWORK LIBRARY AWARDS
“Our volunteers are integral to the daily operation of the library and without doubt are one of the main reasons the library has flourished,” Martin said. “Our network of partnerships also has proven to be vital to increasing awareness of the program and boosting new-patron registration.”
NLS created the Network Library Awards to recognize outstanding accomplishments of libraries serving blind and disabled individuals across the country and in U.S. territories.
A committee of librarians and consumer-organization representatives chose finalists from among the nominated libraries based on mission support, creativity and innovation in providing service, and record of reader satisfaction.
The District of Columbia Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, also known as the D.C. Public Library Adaptive Services Division, received the Network Library of the Year Award. The annual award, in its ninth year, carries a $1,000 cash prize.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT BrevardCounty.us
