Do you or someone you love require reading alternatives because of a loss in vision or other physical impairments? Whether the need is permanent or temporary the Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave., can help by providing timely and interesting materials for your recreational, cultural, or educational pursuits.

Stop by the Community Room, enjoy a cool treat, and get a summer prize at the library’s Open House on Aug. 17, 2-3 p.m., for the celebration of Talking Book Service Awareness Day. Print and recorded materials that are fun, informative, and entertaining – and all for free – will be on display.

The program is offered in cooperation with the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired and is geared toward Idaho residents who are 45 or older.

 In addition to offering large-print books, audio materials in both cassette and CD-Rom format, music, Playaway audiobooks, E-audio books and DVDs the library provides help downloading E-audio books and mail delivery service to patrons who are homebound said Barbara Nolan, library Outreach Services Coordinator.

“We also can sign our patrons up with the Talking Book Service (TBS), a program offered by the Idaho Commission for Libraries.” Nolan said. “TBS provides thousands of books in cassette format for people unable to read standard printed material. Even better, TBS services are provided free of charge, including the mailing of reading materials and playback machines.” 

A program on TBS will also be offered at the Hayden Branch of the Kootenai-Shoshone Area Libraries, 8385 N. Government Way, on Thursday, Aug. 20, 1-3 p.m.

For more information about the Open House at Coeur d’Alene Public Library, contact Nolan at 208/769-2316 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

For more information about the Talking Book Service, that is available to qualified Idaho residents, visit http://libraries.idaho.gov/landing/tbs. 

More news and information about the Coeur d’Alene Public Library is available online at www.cdalibrary.org. News about the library and other city departments is also available on the City of Coeur d’Alene news blog: http://cdacity.blogspot.com/.