October 21, 2002 Winning Designs of Digital Talking Book Competition go on Display

Contact: Helen Dalrymple (202) 707-1940; Robert Fistick (202) 707-9279

WHAT: Opening of a display of the six winning entries of a design competition for a new digital talking book, which was sponsored by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) and the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA). James H. Billington, Librarian of Congress; Frank Kurt Cylke, director of NLS; Marc Maurer, president, National Federation of the Blind; and Lachezar Tsvetanov, a student who designed the first-prize prototype playback machine, will make opening remarks and cut the ribbon to open the display. The exhibit will remain on view through Dec. 20.

WHERE: In the foyer of the Mumford Room, sixth floor of the James Madison Building, 101 Independence Ave. S.E.

WHEN: Monday, Oct. 21, at 1:45 p.m.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Information about the NLS reading program—which benefits hundreds of thousands of blind and physically handicapped readers every year—will be available for members of the media in the Mumford Room beginning at 1 p.m. NLS staff members will be on hand to discuss the national reading program, demonstrate the current cassette playback equipment, and answer questions about the next generation of talking book machines. Examples of NLS publications, patron magazines, and braille and large- print materials will also be available.

###

PR 02-152
2002-10-21
ISSN 0731-3527