50 Years Ago

Herald of Oct. 30, 1969

Talking Books and tape recordings for the blind or otherwise handicapped will be sought for the Martinsburg Community Library under state and federal programs which make such matters available.

The Martinsburg Library Board at a meeting Monday night at the Borough Building authorized the librarians to apply for such materials after a report was submitted by Mrs. Hobart Hofman, assistant librarian, concerning such aids for the handicapped.

The program not only includes the standard records, or “talking books” but also cassettes, or compact holders of record tape, which can reproduce sound with comparatively inexpensive equipment.

Thus can be opened to the handicapped and entire new world of books, magazines, or music, with considerable variety now available, particularly in the “talking books” program.

Board members also pointed out that it will be possible, if service groups in the Martinsburg area help, to operate such equipment at hospitals and similar institutions.