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Meet Talking Books CT/CVSBH
Talking Books CT/Connecticut Volunteer Services for the Blind and Handicapped, Inc. (CVSBH) is a non-profit 501c3 corporation that works with the Connecticut Library for Accessible Books (CT LAB) to record books, pamphlets, and magazines as digital talking books for those who cannot hold or read printed material.

An all-volunteer, statewide program, Talking Books/CVSBH has over 100 participants recording in studio locations in Milford, Ridgefield, and Southbury. Contributing time on a regular basis and a dedication to a long term commitment are required of each volunteer. Patience, normal hearing and vision, a command of the English language (foreign languages are helpful also), and a love of literature are necessary to “translate” the written work to its audible meaning. Comfort using a computer is helpful. Auditions are required for narrators (see Volunteer Opportunities below).

An average-sized book of about 250-300 pages takes one full year to record and requires a team of volunteers. Since 1974, Talking Books CT/CVSBH has recorded over 2,700 titles, using National Library Service (NLS) recording procedures and standards.  The books are selected by CT LAB to supplement the materials produced by NLS with emphasis placed on titles related to Connecticut and New England by author or subject, and library patron requests.

Most of those audio books were produced in cassette format which is now obsolete and playback equipment unavailable.  The CTC catalog of these is also obsolete.  A large project is underway to convert these books to digital format and to re-issue them.

But books recorded in the last couple of years were produced in digital format and have been  uploaded to the National Library Service’s audio book website called BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download).  These books have DBC as their prefix and are available for downloading to your own devices.

Titles produced by Connecticut’s volunteer recording program are also submitted to the NLS Union Catalog. This online catalog lists the circulating collection of titles in Braille, cassette, and digital cartridges produced by NLS, and in addition, materials produced by cooperating libraries in the NLS network. The catalog allows access to locally produced works by users throughout the United States, Canada and other countries.

New volunteers are welcome for all phases of book production. Training is provided. In addition, tax deductible contributions are welcome. Contact the studio nearest you to make inquiries (see Recording Studios below).