Maine State Library-Talking Books Plus

We enjoyed a constructive two-day visit from our Regional Consultant, MaryBeth Wise, our wonderful representative from the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled! It was wonderful to spend time discussing the services we offer to our Talking Book patrons all across Maine.

MaryBeth Wise, Regional Consultant from the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled met with MSL staff over two days to discuss services to Maine residents with reading disabilities. The support of the National Library Service helps us reach so many Mainers with reading and visual disabilities. Thank you, NLS!

More information about the Talking Book program at the Maine State Library is available on our webpage at https://www.maine.gov/msl/outreach/lbph/index.shtml .

You can learn more about the National Library Service here: https://www.loc.gov/nls/ .

(Pictured left to right: Director of Public and Outreach Services Alison Maxell, Special Services Coordinator Chris Boynton, National Library Service Regional Consultant MaryBeth Wise, State Librarian Lori Stockman, and Outreach Services Librarian Sarah Duggan.)

If you or someone you know would love to learn more about our NLS Summer Reading Program, "Unearth a Story," feel free to give Outreach Services Librarian Sarah a call at 207-287-5650! We’ll have more exciting information coming soon on the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled website, so stay tuned!

Ready to unearth a story this summer?

We’re thrilled to announce that we have been selected by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) to curate and host the 2026 Summer Reading Program. This nine-week literary experience is designed for readers who are blind or have low vision, but anyone, anywhere is welcome to participate. No library card required!

Join us as we discover stories hidden in landscapes, archives, family histories, science, and lived experience through virtual author conversations. We’ll also be exploring four National Parks through a new Narrated Soundscapes series, with a new episode dropping every other week.

The Summer Reading Program officially kicks off on June 15th. Don’t miss out—sign up today on our website! https://bit.ly/43jFn7G

Image Description: A dark green banner features the headline "Unearth a Story" with the Braille Institute logo and the National Library Services logo beneath the text. The banner sits over a faded antique map background.

Here is the bestseller list for May!

Call Outreach Services at 207-287-5650 if you would like any of these books sent to you on a Talking Book cartridge or if you use BARD Mobile, enter the DB number in the search box and download onto your device!

[Image: List of fiction and non-fiction titles available in the NLS catalog.]