Technology Provides Books to the Blind Faster

Christian Record Services for the Blind’s (www.ChristianRecord.org) online library experienced a software boost that provides better service to their members. Mid-2017 Christian Record began a partnership with OverDrive, a content delivery service that provides audio streaming, and launched its Liberty software. These two new tools provide instant access to more than 1,600 titles.

“The experience between the various services is seamless for our members,” said Christian Record’s President Diane Thurber. “This was important to us as we wanted our members to be able to search easily for titles and enjoy the books in the formats they preferred quickly and without much difficulty.”

Christian Record members who access the online library are legally blind. Since 1950 the organization has offered audio resources in various forms, beginning with “talking magazines,” which were audio publications distributed on vinyl albums. Eventually vinyl gave way to audio cassettes. Then cassettes gave way to digital formats for use with specialized cartridges from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Until now these materials were mailed by regular post to individuals and could take days or weeks for them to arrive. Today the books can be delivered instantly in the form of digital braille or streamed over the new online system provided for free to its members by Christian Record Service. To learn more, visit www.ChristianRecord.org or call (402) 488-0981.