RNIB is the largest UK sight loss charity and Talking Books is one of our most popular services. That's because reading has an important part to play in so many people's lives, whatever their age. Being able to escape into a really good story, to lose yourself in someone else's carefully crafted words, is something really special.
Each Talking Book is brought to life by professional actors or broadcasters in our very own studios. Unlike most Talking Books in shops or libraries, our collection of over 15,000 titles is completely unabridged. There is something for everyone, from best sellers to old favourites.
How does the Talking Books Service work?
Every customer who uses the RNIB Talking Book Service has an easy-to-use player to play their books on. Just like the rest of this unique service, these have been designed for people with sight loss. There is even a book marking feature, so the book can be stopped and customers can go back to their favourite place in the story.
RNIB Talking Books are delivered straight to customers' doors, free of charge, and they can borrow as many books as they like. Every year RNIB issues over two million Talking Books. Consequently, more blind and partially sighted people are able find a new love for reading, or rediscover an old one.
Mrs Reid is just one of the thousands of blind and partially sighted people able to enjoy books again. She says:
"You have given back to me something I thought I'd lost forever. I am incredibly fortunate to be allowed access to the RNIB Talking Books Library, and I am extremely grateful."
For Mrs Reid and so many others, the RNIB Talking Book Service is something very special - magic, in fact.