Talking Book & Braille Service

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Volunteer Opportunities

Each month Talking Book and Braille Service volunteers make generous contributions of time, talent, and energy. These contributions are invaluable in accomplishing our mission to provide reading materials to Nebraskans who cannot use regular print.

You, too, can be a part of this effort. Contact Annette Hall, Volunteer Services Coordinator, 402-471-4033, 800-742-7691, e-mail: Annette Hall.

Currently Recruiting:

• Talking Book Narrator: Read books and magazines aloud in a recording studio. Requires pre-reading of text, determining correct pronunciation for names, words, and symbols found in the text, and making accurate, aesthetic presentation during the recording session.


• Recording Sports Researcher: Research and record correct pronunciations of the names of UNL football athletes.


• Clerical Support for Readers Services: Assist Readers Services staff with mailings, collating new borrower packets, and other filing and collating projects.


• Readers Services Volunteer: Working with daily mailings and book processing.

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Talking Book Recording Sports Researcher  

Time: 1 - 6 hours per week (Sessions range from 1-3 hours)
Schedule: To be arranged**
Supervisor: Circulation and Audio Production Coordinator

Summary:

Research and record correct pronunciations of the names of UNL football athletes.

Activities & Responsibilities:

1. Contact sports authorities for the correct pronunciation of UNL football athletes.
2. Make an digital audio recording correctly pronouncing each name.
3. Create a searchable database of players names and audio files.

Qualifications:

1. Working knowledge of Microsoft programs.
2. Ability to network with community members.
3. Aptitude for working with equipment.
4. Good hearing.
5. Clear and unaccented speech.
6. Ability to work independently.

Other:

1. Volunteers should make every effort to meet their commitments to the studios and community members to complete their project.
2. Canceling or rescheduling volunteer sessions is discouraged. In the event of an unavoidable need to cancel or reschedule a session, volunteers should call their area supervisor as soon as possible -- a minimum of one day's advance notice is preferable.
3. Questions and comments should be directed to the volunteer's area supervisor or to the Volunteer Coordinator.

** Recording schedules are coordinated by (to be determined).

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Readers Services Volunteer

Time: 2 hours per week.
Schedule: During normal business hours.
Supervisor: Readers Advisor/Senior

Duties:

1. Prepare Mailings.
2. Process new books.

Training: Provided

Abilities:

1. Ability to work with details
2. Accuracy with numbers
3. Some hand strength and dexterity
4. Physical ability to lift 5 pounds, stretch, and reach

Other:

1. Volunteers should make every effort to meet their time commitment. Changes in number of hours per session, per week, or per month should be discussed with the area supervisor.
2. Cancelling or rescheduling volunteer sessions is discouraged. In the event of an unavoidable need to cancel or reschedule a session, volunteers should call their area supervisor as soon as possible – a minimum of one day’s advance notice is preferable.
3. Questions and comments should be directed to the volunteer’s area supervisor or to the Volunteer Services Coordinator.

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Clerical Support for Readers Services

Time: Minimum 2 hours per week
Schedule: During normal business hours
Supervisor: Readers Advisor/Senior

Duties:

1. Assemble catalogs and literature to create information packets for new talking book patrons.
2. Assemble catalogs and literature to create information packets for new talking book patrons.
3. Stamp and/or label envelopes and promotional literature. (Must use both self-inking and rubber stamps.)
4. Collate local and national literature for promotional use.
5. Assemble and label materials for mailings.
6. Assist with general clerical tasks such a sorting and filing.
7. Miscellaneous tasks, as arranged.

Training: Provided

Abilities:

1. Normal vision.
2. Enough hand strength and dexterity to perform duties efficiently.
3. Ability to work with details – alphabetical and numerical.
4. Physical ability to lift 5 pounds, stretch, and reach.

Other:

1. Volunteers should make every effort to meet the time commitment made on the volunteer application form. Changes in number of hours per session, per week, or per month should be discussed with the area supervisor. Canceling or rescheduling volunteer sessions is discouraged. In the event of an unavoidable need to cancel or reschedule a session, volunteers should call their area supervisor as soon as possible -- a minimum of one day's advance notice is preferable.
2. Questions and comments should be directed to the volunteer's area supervisor or to the Volunteer Coordinator.

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Talking Book Recording Studio Narrator

Time: 2 - 6 hours per week (Minimum session time: 2 hours)
Schedule: To be arranged**
Supervisor: Audio Production Studio Manager

Summary:

Narration is the translation of print to spoken language. It is a composite of voice, speech, and narration skill. Narration skill is a combination of an awareness of what is necessary to make reading aloud sound intelligent and agreeable, and a talent for coordinating the use of voice and speech with that awareness in presentation of a text.

Activities & Responsibilities:

1. Plan and prepare for effective presentation of material; including style, manner, and emotional intent. (This must be done prior to the recording session.)
2. Present the text accurately and intelligently during the recording session.
3. Write out descriptions for all graphs, charts, etc. (This must be done prior to the recording session.)
4. Determine correct pronunciation for names, words, and symbols found in the text.
5. Ensure that all announcements, footnotes, and formats are handled according to established criteria.
6. Respond to direction and suggestions of the recording session monitor and/or the Audio Production Studio Manager.

Qualifications:

1. Successful completion of the audition process.
2. Demonstrated ability to use a dictionary and other reference materials.
3. Aptitude for working with equipment.
4. Good vision.
5. Good hearing.
6. Good command of the American English language.

Other:

1. Volunteers should make every effort to meet the time commitment made on the volunteer application form. Changes in number of hours per session, per week, or per month should be discussed with the area supervisor.
2. Canceling or rescheduling volunteer sessions is discouraged. In the event of an unavoidable need to cancel or reschedule a session, volunteers should call their area supervisor as soon as possible -- a minimum of one day's advance notice is preferable.
3. Questions and comments should be directed to the volunteer's area supervisor or to the Volunteer Coordinator.

** Recording schedules are coordinated by the Audio Production Studio Manager.

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