I got a very nice email from Stephanie Holbrook of the Library of Congress, on behalf of National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) asking me to make a post alerting my readers to this worthy program.

Dear Sinner,

My name is Stephanie Holbrook and I am writing to you on behalf of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress and its free program, Talking Books. As Veterans Day approaches, NLS joins the nation in commemorating those who have bravely served and sacrificed for the common good. Dedication to serving the reading needs of the nation’s blind and physically handicapped veterans is a core tenet of the talking-book program’s founding mandate. The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that there are as many as 150,000 blinded U.S. veterans at present and 1,026,000 veterans with low vision. Not only are veterans among the program’s most avid patrons, but they also make an invaluable contribution to NLS in an advisory role.

Through a national network of regional libraries, NLS Talking Books offers a wide selection of books and magazines in audio and braille, as well as music scores in braille and large print, directly to veterans and other qualified American residents and citizens. This FREE library service helps patrons remain avid readers and stay connected to the world around them. NLS also grants priority status to honorably discharged blind and physically handicapped military personnel in the loan of free reading materials and equipment.

We would be thrilled if you could provide information about this important, no cost program on your Web site in time for Veterans Day. For a directory of cooperating local libraries participating in the Talking Books program and for enrollment information, interested individuals can call 1-888-NLS-READ(1-888-657-7323) or go to http://www.loc.gov/nls/find.html.