Contact:   Jennifer Patterson, State Librarian
503-378-4367

June 17, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Talking Book and Braille Library open house on June 27 celebrates 50 years at State Library

Salem, Ore. – The Talking Book and Braille Library will have an open house on June 27 from 2-4 p.m., to celebrate 50 years at the State Library of Oregon in Salem. The library was relocated from Portland to Salem in July of 1969.

More than 100 library patrons and staff members will be at the event to discuss their experiences and talk about the many ways Oregonians benefit from the services and resources the Talking Book and Braille Library offers.

A short program is scheduled for 2:30 p.m., when State Librarian Jennifer Patterson and Talking Books Program Manager Susan Westin plan to speak. Talking Book and Braille Advisory Council Chair, Mary Lee Turner, will share her experience as a library patron for 66 years.

The names of three individuals who each donated $10,000 or more to the library’s endowment fund will be added to the donor board. Scheduled activities also include a presentation on the library’s history and tours will be available.

The open house will be in room 102/103 (first floor) of the State Library, 250 Winter St. NE, Salem, OR 97301.

The Talking Book and Braille Library is available free of charge to any Oregonian who is print-disabled, which includes visual, physical, and reading impairments. The collection is ever-growing and currently has more than 80,000 titles in audio, 19,000 titles in Braille, 95 audio and Braille magazines, and over 150 descriptive videos. 

To learn more about Talking Books, visit www.ORtalkingbooks.org.

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