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Public Information and Communication

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 1996

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Dave Oertli,
402-471-4005, 800-742-7691

Audio Description Broadens Audience For Home Videos

Beginning this month, Nebraskans with blindness or visual impairment can "check-out" home video in a new way thanks to the Nebraska Library Commission Talking Book and Braille Service. Home videos with audio description are now available for loan to registered users of the Talking Book and Braille Service. On these videos, an additional audio track is used to recount the visual elements of the program without interfering with the program's narration, dialogue, or sound effects.

The current collection contains nearly 150 titles ranging from action-adventure to historical documentary, big-screen blockbuster to public television series. The collection was purchased from Descriptive Video Service®, the foremost producer of audio description. DVS® is a division of the WGBH Educational Foundation, Boston. The purchase was made through the Talking Book and Braille Service Trust Fund. Additional titles will be added every six months.

Wednesday, August 21, 1:30 - 3:30 the Talking Book and Braille Service will celebrate with a Video Film Festival in the first floor lobby of the Library Commission, The Atrium, Suite 120, 1200 N Street, Lincoln. The festival will feature ten-minute excerpts from the DVS® editions of 10 big-screen blockbusters. The public is welcome; special invitation is made to talking book users and volunteers.

Videos with audio description are played on a standard VHS video cassette player (VCR) and a television. (The Talking Book and Braille Service does not provide or loan VCRs or TVs.) There is no cost to use this service unless a video is lost or damaged. The videos are mailed to and from the library as "Free Matter for the Blind or Handicapped."

For more information, contact the Nebraska Library Commission Talking Book and Braille Service: 402-471-4038 local, 800-742-7691 toll-free long distance, or e-mail Talking Book and Braille Service.

As the state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. "Bringing together people and information," the mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development and coordination of library and information services.

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The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission are always available on the Library Commission Home Page. Point your World Wide Web browser to http://nlc.nebraska.gov/.

Nebraska Library Commission
The Atrium, 1200 N Street, Suite 120
Lincoln, NE 68508-2023


For more information, contact Tessa Terry.