"We are gathered this evening to pay tribute to the Telephone Pioneers of America, who for the past 35 years have spent countless hours repairing more than 2 million playback machines used by blind and physically handicapped patrons of the Library of Congress's talking book program, called the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped," said Deputy Librarian of Congress Hiram Davis in addressing a gala Great Hall reception in the Library's Thomas Jefferson Building on March 28.
Continuing his remarks to more than 150 guests representing the Telephone Pioneers, the national telecommunications industry, Congress, the Library, NLS staff and the NLS network of libraries, Dr. Davis said, "Established by act of Congress in 1931, the nation's free library program for blind readers has grown into a service which last year circulated more than 22.4 million recorded and braille books and magazines to a national readership of 775,000 adults and children.
"Through a network of regional libraries that directly serve blind and physically handicapped patrons, the National Library Service provides reading materials and playback equipment free to eligible borrowers throughout the United States by postage-free mail," he continued. "The National Library Service has grown because of continued congressional support for reading programs for citizens who are handicapped and because of the support of the Telephone Pioneers of America, without whose tireless efforts the Library could not continue the talking book program.
"The Telephone Pioneers of America, with a membership of more than 875,000 former and current telecommunications employees in the United States and Canada, is the largest industry-related volunteer organization in the world. It has provided funding and volunteers in support of the many educational needs of our society and continues to enhance the lives of all Americans through national and community projects."
Dr. Davis then enumerated some of the Pioneers' accomplishments: "To give you some idea of their enormous national contribution to the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, just consider this fact: Between 1980 and 1993, the Pioneers voluntarily repaired 1,093,352 playback machines -- a private sector contribution valued at more than $54.6 million dollars. The Pioneers continue to provide expert repair and maintenance service for the more than 757,600 cassette players and 231,391 record players in circulation today.
"On behalf of the Library of Congress, I am honored to present this award plaque to Don MacKenzie, president of the Telephone Pioneers of America," Dr. Davis concluded.
After presentation of the engraved brass plaque, Mr. MacKenzie thanked Dr. Davis and the Library of Congress on behalf of the Telephone Pioneers for their tribute.
Dr. Davis then introduced Kenneth Jernigan, president of the Friends of Libraries for Blind and Physically Handicapped Individuals in North America (Friends), who spoke of the importance of the Telephone Pioneers volunteer machine-repair efforts and what that effort means to the 750,000 patrons of the talking book program.
He lauded NLS as a vital part of the lives of blind people and said, "I commend the work of the NLS program, its staff and its director Frank Kurt Cylke."
Euclid Herie, vice president of the Friends, also gave brief remarks, describing in some detail his experiences in providing talking book services in Canada and how the Telephone Pioneers have made a difference in the lives of Canadians who use the services through the Canadian Institute for the Blind.
The event was sponsored by NLS in cooperation with the Friends. NLS event coordinator Robert Fistick, head of the NLS Publications and Media Section, was assisted by Miriam Pace, NLS chief of the Network Division, and Lois Mandelberg, head of the NLS Production Control Section. Library of Congress coordinators were Geraldine Otremba, director of the Library's Congressional Relations Office (CRO), Lucy Suddreth, congressional relations specialist in CRO, and Nancy Mitchell, head of the Library's Office of Special Events and Public Programs. The Telephone Pioneers coordinator was Walt Armijo, vice president and director of marketing of the Telephone Pioneers of America.
