About Us

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Our Staff

Ilia Desjardins , Reader Advisor, TBC Supervisor
Jen Kidd, Reader Advisor

Talking Book Center, Inc. Board of Directors

Randolph Bertin, President
Carol Turrentine, Vice-President
Dr. Jennifer Brown, Secretary
Deborah Patton, Treasurer
Leslie Allen
Jason Clarke
Kristy McClain
Ruth Tolson

Ex-Officio Directors

Kathleen Brookman
Sarah Skrobis
Susan Versen

Board Meeting Minutes

How We Work

All equipment and services, including the mailing of materials, are free to eligible users, due to support from many public and private sources.

The Talking Book Center at the Staunton Public Library, as a sub-regional library of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), receives all of the reading material and machines free of charge, as well as free mailing privileges.

The City of Staunton provides space for the Center’s office and collection on the second floor of the Staunton Public Library. Local governments in the counties of Augusta, Bath, Highland, and Rockbridge and the cities of Buena Vista, Lexington, and Waynesboro make annual allocations. The United Way of Rockbridge and the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge are also long-time supporters.

Other support comes from Friends of the Library groups, Lions' Clubs and other local service agencies, as well as individual donors. Patrons who can afford to contribute are also generous supporters.

Eligibility Requirements

To receive service from the Talking Book Center individuals must reside in Augusta County, Bath County, Highland County, Rockbridge County, City of Buena Vista, City of Lexington, City of Staunton, or City of Waynesboro AND have one of the following qualifying conditions:

BLINDNESS: Blind persons whose visual acuity, as determined by competent authority, is
20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting lenses, or whose widest diameter of visual
field subtends an angular distance no greater than 20 degrees.
VISUAL IMPAIRMENT: Persons whose visual disability, with correction and regardless of optical measurement, is certified by competent authority as preventing the reading of standard printed material.
PHYSICAL DISABILITY: Persons certified by competent authority as unable to read or unable to use standard printed material as a result of physical limitations.
READING DISABILITY: Persons certified by competent authority as having a reading disability resulting from organic dysfunction and of sufficient severity to prevent their reading printed material in a normal manner.

Applications

To receive materials through the Talking Book Service, complete the application and registration below:

Application Form for Individuals (PDF)

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