APH Press Release
History of Talking Books for People who are Blind – “That All May Read” Presentation and Reception at American Printing House for the Blind, September 24
Louisville, KY (September 12, 2016) – Everyone is invited to the Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind (APH), located at 1839 Frankfort Avenue to celebrate the National Library Service’s (NLS) “Talking Books” program and APH’s contribution to it. The program has touched thousands of people since it was started in the 1930s. People who are blind or visually impaired or others who have a physical disability that prevents them from reading or holding the printed page can sign up for this service. APH produced its first audio book for NLS, Gulliver’s Travels, in 1936. Today, APH has eleven recording studios and employs 30 narrators, who read for two-hour sessions. Many narrators who record for APH also use their voices professionally elsewhere. For instance, Jack Fox is the voice of the moving sidewalk at many airports across the country, Scott Reynolds is at WAVE TV, Jill Fox is on the news team at WFPL and Barry Bernson was, for many years, at WDRB. Long-time Louisvillans may remember the names of some of the narrators who have passed away: Randy Atcher, Livingston Gilbert, and Jim Walton.
The program takes place on September 24, from 10:30- 12:30. It is free and best for older children and adults. Space is limited, so registration is required. Call 502-899-2213 or send email to kcarpenter@aph.org by noon, September 23 to register.
Highlights
- A presentation about the history of the program, a demonstration of modern production, and a forecast for the future of Talking Books.
- Interviews with current and former narrator-celebrities including Mitzi Friedlander, (who recorded over 2,000 books when she worked at APH), Erin Jones, and Jack Fox. Hear a sample of Jack’s voice at this link: Jack Fox
- An Oscar-style homage to narrators who have died, using photos and audio-clips. (Roy Avers, George Patterson, Dale Carter Cooper, Livingston Gilbert, Butch Hoover, Fred Major, Art Melzer, Burt Blackwell, Andy Chappell, Brian Conn, James Delotel, Jerry Fordyce, Bill Gladden, Jan Gray, Ryan Halloran, David Palmer, Terry Hayes Sales, Hal Tenney, and Jim Walton)
- A reception
About the Talking Book program of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
NLS is a free braille and talking book library service for people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical disability that prevents them from reading or holding the printed page. Through a national network of cooperating librabies, NLS offers books in braille or audio formats, mailed for free or by download. Its motto is “That All May Read.” To learn more about the services, visit NLS.
About the Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind
APH’s award-winning museum, where visitors experience hands-on history, is open Monday through Saturday. Admission is free. Regular hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday and 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. Visitors can write in braille, see the first book embossed for blind readers, play a computer game designed for students who are blind, and much more. Narrator Jukebox
More information at archive.aph.org/museum or call (502) 895-2405, ext. 365, weekdays.
About the American Printing House for the Blind
The American Printing House for the Blind, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, is the world’s largest nonprofit company devoted solely to researching, developing, and manufacturing products for people who are blind or visually impaired. Founded in 1858, it is the oldest organization of its kind in the United States. Under the 1879 federal Act to Promote the Education of the Blind, APH is the official supplier of educational materials for visually impaired students in the U.S. who are working at less than college level. APH was recently named Kentucky Mid-sized Manufacturer of the year.
APH makes textbooks and magazines in braille, large print, recorded, and digital formats. APH also makes hundreds of educational, recreational, and daily living products including computer software and an array of assistive technology items.
The American Printing House for the Blind, Inc. is located at 1839 Frankfort Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky. For more information, call (502) 895-2405 or log on to archive.aph.org
