By Trish Svoboda

Governor Laura Kelly of Kansas issued a proclamation designating March 3-9, 2024, as Kansas Talking Books Week. The proclamation commemorates the Pratt-Smoot Act, a federal legislation enacted on March 3, 1931, which established free library services for blind adults. These services are overseen by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) within the Library of Congress.

Throughout Talking Books Week, the State Library of Kansas is celebrating the services available to Kansans with print impairments through a Talking Books account. Governor Kelly’s proclamation highlights the diverse range of over 150,000 accessible reading materials and supplementary information services. These include a new statewide sponsorship by the agency of NFB-Newsline, a service provided by the National Federation of the Blind. NFB-Newsline offers library patrons access to numerous newspapers, magazines, emergency weather alerts, job listings, and more via phone, internet, an iOS app, and an Alexa skill.

In a release, The Director of the Talking Books Division Michael Lang noted, “we encourage our current and potential patrons to explore the variety of services offered and the options for customization available through Kansas Talking Books. We want every user to find their perfect fit of service to meet their needs.”

You can find Talking Books Week programming at facebook.com/kansas.talking.books.service