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Overview

Welcome to Radio Talking Book Service!

Radio Talking Book Service (RTBS) serves Nebraska and southwest Iowa with a mission to provide human-voiced information choices to individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or have physical disabilities which prevent them from reading.  We are in our 43rd year of providing a vital connection for these individuals with the printed word through two programs: Radio Talking Book Network, a statewide radio reading service; and Listening Link, an educational reading program. 

The Radio Talking Book Network (RTBN), founded in 1974, is Nebraska’s audio companion and only radio reading service.  RTBN provides our statewide audience with equal access to local, current information necessary to lead productive, self-directed lives and remain engaged in their communities.  To do this, RTBN uses over 90 volunteer readers, whose diverse voices bring the printed word to life with the reading of 11 regional and national newspapers, information from over 70 magazines, live interviews on our Community Conversations, a Veterans Hour, grocery and department store ads weekly, and much more. 

The Listening Link program assists blind, visually impaired, and learning disabled students in eliminating educational barriers they face.  Founded in 1992, Listening Link works with area schools and colleges, providing human-voiced recordings of textbooks and other course material required for degree completion and academic success. 

“It has been a godsend. I listen daily. I have been depressed because I can no longer read. I depend upon your news and ads,” a new listener shares.