E. Reporting Statistics to Us About Your Site

1. We have provided a statistics form in your Promotional Packet to record each time you demonstrate the program and to how many people. You will be asked to send us this information twice a year.

F. Reporting Problems With Equipment And Cartridges:

1. If an audiobook breaks or is defective, contact a Reader Consultant at 1-800-252-9605 and request a replacement. When returning the defective book, place a rubber band around the broken cartridge. Flip the mailing label that came with your cartridge box over so that the State Library’s address shows, and mark an “X” on the upper left hand corner of the label. Replacements are not automatically sent when broken books are returned, so it is important to call to ensure a replacement.

2. If you need to return a machine to be repaired or replaced, place the machine in its original packaging and return it postage-free. To ensure prompt delivery of a replacement machine, contact a Reader Consultant at 1-800-252-9605 before returning the defective machine.

G. Discontinuing Participation in the Demonstration Site Program:

If you wish to discontinue being a demonstration site you will need to:

1. Call the Talking Book Program at 1-800-252-9605 to let us know, then send back all equipment and books that are checked out to you. Use the box(es) that you have retained to send back the playback equipment and place the audiobooks in their plastic boxes. Send these items out with your regular mail. You may keep posters, brochures, and other promotional items if you wish.

On behalf of the Talking Book Program of Texas, thank you again for becoming a demonstration site. We look forward to working with you to reach eligible patrons in your communities. If you have any questions, please call us toll-free at 1-800-252-9605 or email us at tbp.services@tsl.texas.gov, and we will be happy to assist you.

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Tip Sheet on How to Promote the Talking Book Program in Your Community

• Create a display with Talking Book Program bookmarks, brochures and applications (available in English and in Spanish—you can download applications at www.TexasTalkingBooks.org ).  Make sure the display is in a prominent place.
   
• Have your local library become a demonstration site.  Each site will receive a Talking Book player and sample cartridges in English and in Spanish. Call 1-800-252-9605 to request an application.
   
• Host a community Talking Book Open House at your library.  Have a registration table available and demonstrate how the program works.  Send out press releases and invite your local media to see firsthand how you are reaching out to serve those with disabilities in your community.
   
• Host a story time at your library that provides a teaching opportunity about Braille and people with disabilities.  Use storybooks about Louis Braille, who invented the system when he was just 14!  We can provide you with Braille alphabet cards or Braille rulers as free giveaways.  Children love the fact that Braille is a secret code—have them write messages using the Braille alphabet.  End with a discussion about how some people read with their fingers and some read by listening.
   
• Create an exhibit in your school, library or house of worship about Famous Texans with Disabilities. For resources go to the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities web site: http://governor.state.tx.us/disabilities/resources/disability_history/
   
• Call your school districts and talk with the directors of special education.  Ask if they know that they can download the “Teacher’s Guide to the Talking Book Program” booklet at www.TexasTalkingBooks.org .
   
• Ask your local paper to do a story about the Talking Book Program.  The Library of Congress estimates that 1.4 % of the total population has a qualifying disability. Your county population X 1.4% = local eligible population.
   
• Place a camera-ready ad in your organizational or house of worship newsletter.  Camera-ready layouts for bookmarks also are available – contact our public awareness coordinator.
   
• Talk about the program with your physician, optometrist and other medical service providers.  Ask them to promote the program to their eligible patients.
   
• Talk with your friends, family and neighbors about the program.  Remind them that temporary disabilities may also qualify individuals for the program.

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Talking Book Program Qualifications at a Glance:

Qualified patrons include Texas residents of all ages who:

• An individual who is blind.  
• An individual who has a visual impairment that makes them unable to comfortably read standard print books.  
• 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.  
• An individual who has a perceptual or reading disability.

Remember: an individual may qualify with a temporary disability. We have patrons recovering from strokes, challenged with severe fatigue due to illness, in hospice, recovering from severe accidents, etc. As long as they currently meet one of the qualifying disabilities, they may be enrolled with a temporary disability.

For more information contact:

Public Awareness Coordinator, Talking Book Program Texas
State Library and Archives Commission
800-252-9605 or 512-463-5452 or email at tbpinfo@tsl.texas.gov

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