October 27th Ceremony at the South Carolina State Library will Honor Centenarians from Across the State who are 100 – 105 Years Old

Seven South Carolina centenarians will become the latest inductees in the 10² Talking Book Club as the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) of the Library of Congress, and the South Carolina State Library officially launch the South Carolina chapter of the national program on Friday, October 27th, at 11:00 a.m. at the South Carolina State Library in the TBS Reading Room. The Club recognizes the accomplishments of Talking Book readers 100 years of age and older and affords them special privileges such as priority on high-demand reading materials like bestsellers.

NLS sponsors the Talking Book program, a free national reading service to people who can no longer read the standard print of a newspaper or even the pages of a large-print book. The program loans members a wide selection of recorded books and magazines, Braille books and magazines, and music scores in Braille and large print.

“The 10² Talking Book Club represents the true spirit of the Talking Book reading program. Our more than 1,600 Talking Book centenarians have continued to actively read in every stage of their lives, regardless of blindness or physical handicaps,” said Frank Kurt Cylke, director of NLS.  “It’s our hope that their love of reading will encourage others who are eligible to join their local or state program.”

According to Library of Congress statistics, nearly all states have eligible centenarians for the 10² Talking Book Club.  Interested parties may visit the NLS website, www.loc.gov/nls, and browse the 10² Talking Book Club page for additional information, including how to locate a state or local participating library. Specific information on who qualifies for the Talking Book program and how to enroll in the free program can also be found at www.loc.gov/nls or by dialing 1-800-424-9100.

The South Carolina 10² Talking Book Club Honorees* will be inducted Friday, October 27th at a special ceremony at the South Carolina State Library that also celebrates the 75th Anniversary of  the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress. (Note: Due to health concerns, we can not guarantee attendance of the centenarians at the induction).

For more information, contact Pamela Davenport, Director, South Carolina Talking Book Services, 803-734-4611.

*10² Inductees: Frances Claus (Spartanburg), Louise Johnson (Columbia), Lillian May (Leesville), Emma Milling (Greenville), Julia Prentiss (Johns Island), Catherine Robinson (Summerville) and Dorothy Williams (Summerville),