Voices of Vision Talking Book Center offers books to print-impaired readers

Submitted by Aurora Noon Lions

Listening is reading. And so are Braille books.

That was the message from Karen Odean, director of Voices of Vision Talking Book Center, 127 S. First St., in Geneva. On June 6, Odean detailed the center’s services at the Aurora Noon Lions Club’s semimonthly membership meeting at Luigi’s Pizza in Aurora.

She said the center offers more than 100,000 audio books, Braille books and other materials free for local print-impaired readers.

She said anyone who is unable to comfortably read standard print due to a temporary or permanent visual or physical disability is eligible for the talking book and Braille service.

Schools, nursing homes and other facilities that serve disabled people also are eligible to receive library service.

Voices of Vision serves eligible readers in a 12-county area: Boone, Cook (except Chicago), DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, McHenry and Will counties.

Available books range from Dr. Seuss to Dr. Phil and best-sellers to biographies. Magazines offered include Newsweek, People, Cricket, Reader’s Digest, Good Housekeeping, Consumer Reports, Sports Illustrated and more.

Other offerings include Braille books, newspaper services, 24-hour access to downloadable books and magazines, old-time radio shows and more than 560 movies with narration describing visual elements for low-vision viewers.

Additionally, readers’ advisers provide reading guidance based on individual preference.

All materials and equipment are sent and returned postage-free via U.S. mail. Books, magazines and audio machines are loaned to users at no cost. A transition to digital talking books began in 2009. Cassette machines will remain available.

Odean, who joined the Geneva center in 1972, said she plans to retire at the end of June.

Audio books have evolved from vinyl records to cassettes to digitally-recorded cartridges, Odean said. Emerging technology allows books and magazines to be downloaded around the clock.

The Geneva center is one of four Illinois talking book and Braille libraries. Others are at the Harold Washington Library, Chicago; Mid-Illinois Center, Peoria; and Illinois State Library, Springfield.

Geneva center hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Call (630) 208-0398, (800) 227-0625, email vov@railslibraries.info.