Talking Books Talk

STATE OF KANSAS PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR

TO THE PEOPLE OF KANSAS, GREETINGS:
WHEREAS, the Kansas Talking Book Division of the State Library of Kansas is taking part in a week-long celebration marking the beginning of free library services for the blind; and
 
WHEREAS, the enactment of the Pratt-Smoot Act on March 3, 1931, established free library services for blind adults under the administration of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) in the Library of Congress; and
 
WHEREAS, Kansas Talking Books provides materials and supportive services to blind and print disabled Kansans; and 
 
WHEREAS, these print impaired individuals may participate in enriching programs and activities connecting patrons to a collection of more than 140,000 items; and 

WHEREAS these print disabled patrons may choose from materials ranging from digital books to Braille materials, descriptive videos to popular magazines; and
 
WHEREAS, with the cooperation of the U.S. Postal Service, participants receive these materials through the mail free of charge:
 
NOW THEREFORE, I, Laura Kelly, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF KANSAS, do hereby proclaim March 6^th – 10th, 2023, as Kansas Talking Books Week and urge all citizens to join in the celebration of this free library service for Kansas residents who are unable to read or use standard printed materials due to visual impairment, physical impairment, reading and/or other print disabilities.