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Treasures of our Memorial Library The Talking Books Our library, in common I suppose with most others, is organized to offer special services to people with various disabilities. I suppose it is a disadvantage to be too young yet to be able to read. So, for toddlers, the library offers "story-telling sessions". For older children, perhaps teenagers plagued by attention deficit disorder, the library staff sometimes plans special book choices. For clients of any age whose vision is impaired, the library has a well planned service of so-called "Talking Books". This resource is directed, and to a large extent, personally managed by Janet Phillips, who is formally titled "Co-ordinator of Library Home Services". Potential clients of the library who are print disabled are referred to her, and it is she who determines the extent of help they need. In this decision she may rely in part on a note from the client's doctor, which the applicant is asked to bring to the first interview. Then it becomes Janet's task to evaluate the client's interests and generally their educational level. She must also estimate the client's eagerness to use the "Talking Books" programme. After a trial run of a few weeks, Janet may decide at what speed the client is likely to use the materials available. Based on her extensive experience, she may decide what helpful tapes may be borrowed from the many libraries with which our own is affiliated. These may be sought from other lower mainland libraries in the Interlink Network or from the Crane Library at UBC. Such borrowings involve about one hundred tapes per month. Janet may then offer guidance on subject choices. For example; is a particular client likely to enjoy novels of mystery and suspense, or are tapes concerning history or science, or perhaps poetry more likely to appeal in this instance? It is obvious that such choices may demand of the advisor a high level of general knowledge, a bottomless well of patience, and a helpful, generous personality. Over the years, perhaps in time with the mental development of the client, the tastes and complexity of the material desired will change with advancing age. All that sounds like a challenging load for any sympathetic guide, doesn't it? But Janet manages it single-handedly. And in addition, she is even one of the drivers of the bookmobile! Recently, the Talking Books service has had 182 patrons; of these, 48 are being granted the privilege of home delivery. Tapes may be borrowed for up to two months at a time. Generally, the most popular tapes are those of best sellers in the general book market, but our clients include many who are fond of non-fiction. Happily, the range of subjects offered is very wide, from "Antiques" to "Zen", with generous shelves of "In Betweens". To patrons who are house-bound, delivery and pick up of tapes is managed by Friends of the Library as well as the precious bookmobile. This service performs brilliantly on a very limited budget. The funds come in part from donations by the generous, civic-minded Kiwanis, and patrons. A grant from the BC Government of BC makes possible the production of about sixty "Talking Books" each year, and our total stock in hand of all such tapes amounts to about 3200 titles. In closing, let me quote from a succinct four-page booklet distributed by the library, as follows: "TAPED BOOKS" ... If you are visually impaired, or perceptually or physically unable to handle or read prints, you can obtain forms to apply for this service from the Library Home Service Office or the Adult Information Desk. This eligibility form must be signed by your doctor, nurse or therapist." Ted Hill