The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library (TSCPL) announces its plan to merge Red Carpet Services and Talking Books on October 1, 2009. Dedicated to serving the lifelong needs of library users, the staff will work as one unit to reflect its mission to give those with special adaptive needs, “red carpet service.” Red Carpet and Talking Books customers will benefit from the combined staff expertise, and increased awareness of the wide-range of services available.
Improved benefits to Talking Books customers include easier and expanded access in the Red Carpet Service area, which is located close to the front entrance of the library. The hours of operation have also increased to the same hours as the rest of the library, Monday-Friday, 9 am-9pm; Saturday 9 am-6pm, and Sunday 12-9 pm.
The merger prepares TSCPL for the August 2009 introduction of the new digital talking book machines for the blind and physically limited, which replace the cassette books and players that have been used since 1931. Talking Books operates on the funds provided by the Library of Congress, State of Kansas and the Northeast Kansas Library System, but it has experienced decreases in usage of the Talking Books tape format. Over the past two years, Talking Books material use experienced a 10 % reduction of use in 2007-2008, and 18% decrease to date in 2008 - 2009.
“Given the current budget situation and the need to decrease expenses, it is essential that the Talking Books program operate on the funds provided by the Library of Congress, State of Kansas and the Northeast Kansas Library System,” says Gina Millsap, TSCPL executive director.
Because of changes in technology and decreased usage in current Talking Books materials, staffing needs have also decreased. Changes include the transfer of two public service specialists to Red Carpet services October 1, and the elimination of three fulltime and two part-time positions September 30.
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