[Md-sligo] FW: Talking Books letter from Director Parker Hamilton

Thu May 20 18:10:16 UTC 2010

This is the official word that Montgomery County will no longer provide talking books but that they will come directly from LBPH.

Debbie

-----Original Message-----
From: Talking Books Request [mailto:tbrq at montgomerycountymd.gov] 
Sent: Thursday, May 20, 2010 11:42 AM
To: Brown, Debbie
Subject: Talking Books letter from Director Parker Hamilton

This letter was mailed this week in large print to all Montgomery County Talking Book customers: 

The Communicator

News from the Talking Book Service, Montgomery County Public Libraries, www.montgomerycountymd.gov <http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/> 

Voice: 240-777-0001  /  Messages: 240-777-0960   /  TTY: 240-777-0902

Volume 17, Issue  1, Spring 2010

Montgomery County Seal

Dear Talking Book Customer:

As you may know, Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) has provided Talking Book service for over 30 years as a subregional library to the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.  We have worked closely with the State Library in bringing you this service.  

Faced with unprecedented cuts during this very difficult year, including 50% of our collection budget and 53 staff members, library hours and many important services will be cut.  Regrettably, Montgomery County Public Libraries will no longer be able to provide this subregional service after May 30, 2010. 

However, your Talking Book service will not stop. Your requests will be filled directly by the State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, starting Tuesday, June 1.

The State Library already fills many of the Talking Books requests, provides books in Braille and the new digital players.  Their staff is prepared to give you the same excellent service they provide to the rest of Maryland's Talking Book customers.  The service will not change -- only where it is coming from.  You will continue to get your magazines, Talking Book Topics, and online access to the catalog and downloadable Talking Books.    

Jill Lewis, the Director of the State Library, will send a letter with information about the State Library's open hours and contact information.  You will have an 800 number to talk to staff or leave messages and an email address (see below).  

As librarians, we know how important access to reading materials is, especially for people who cannot use regular print books.  MCPL is committed to continuing to provide services to people with disabilities, and services will continue at every branch, as well as through the Disability Resource Center (DRC).  The following library services may interest you:

Books on tape and CD, as well as Playaways, are available to check out at all Montgomery County libraries.

Books can be downloaded or read on your computer from the library's website, www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library.

Described movies can be reserved and checked out.

Reader's advisory assistance for general questions about authors, titles, and reading suggestions are available by phone at any library or via email/chat from our website.

Saturday Adaptive Technology Sessions will continue to be scheduled to address both emerging and older technologies for people with disabilities.

Buses to programs offered by the State Library of the Blind and Physically Handicapped will continue (funded through donations to the Friends of the Library's Disability Resource Center account).

DRC services such as Homebound, the DRC collection, and the PC lab with volunteer tutoring will continue.

You will need a library card to check out or download materials; if you need a card, please contact us to apply.  

Thank you for your patience during a very difficult budget year.  We are confident that the professional staff at the State Library will be able to handle your Talking Books requests so that you will not experience an interruption in service. 

If you have questions or comments, please call me at 240-777-0002 or email Parker.Hamilton at montgomerycountymd.gov.

Sincerely,

[signature]

B. Parker Hamilton

Director

Montgomery County Public Libraries logo

Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

415 Park Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21201-3603

Phone: 1-800-964-9209  or  410-230-2424

Email:  referenc at lbph.lib.md.us

http://www.lbph.lib.md.us/ <http://www.lbph.lib.md.us/> 