Yikes! That could get expensive! It takes a long time to record a book, even on a non -professional level. Plus, I don't know if it costs anything to get permission from the publisher if the book is still under copyright protection. You might not think that important, but it is.

Has someone made sure that these books aren't already recorded?

Many years ago, someone approached me about a similar project, but the copyright logistics bogged it down. His was a different scenario, though.

It would probably be cheaper to purchase audio books on CD from Barnes and Noble, Amazon, etc.

There are also thousands of unabridged audio books on iTunes and Audible.com if she has an iPod/Pad, etc. An iPod would be worth it for the audio books only. I believe the Library of Congress has an audio book program for sight impared people.

I love audio books; I have one running most of the time, especailly when I'm doing busy/mindless/daily tasks.

In order to catch the entire story you do have to "train" yourself to listen to the book, let it be in the foreground, and the busy work - laundry, mopping, sewing - etc. becomes the background noise.

When I first got into audio books several years ago, I'd have to constantly start them over because I'd get distracted and miss entire paragraphs, or even chapters. Now, I can't mange getting through my days without them.

Right now I'm relistening to the "The Girl..." series by Stieg Larsson. I had to pause it while I checked the KT.

What authors is she particularily interested in hearing?

Does she want them permanently available for her long-term use?

Has she checked the local libraries? A number of them have quite a few audio books ... though possibly not the titles that she wants.

Many of them have inter-library loan services, which allows them to access such books from other library systems.

If she wouldn't want them again soon, or too many times, possibly she could borrow them as needed, if the libraries have them available.

Has she tried CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind)? They have a substantial number of such resources.

How does she want them recorded - tape? CDs?

Maybe a local seniors'/church group might consider it a worthwhile project, without too heavy a charge ... but it's gonna take a lotta hours to recooooooooooooooooord 250 - 300 pages ... per book, and I asssume that she wants a substantial number so recorded.

Does she have any interest in sharing them with others, whether or not in similar circumstance?

If they are in proper format, a number of commuters might like to have them available.

ole joyful

Why isn't she getting what she needs from her counselor at the state commission for the blind? They have access to audio books of all kinds, as well as all sorts of appliances to make life easier and safer. They also help with occupational therapy to handle the special challenges of being blind in our society.

Otherwise, if you're thinking of doing this for her, and get the appropriate copyright permission, I wouldn't charge. Just do it as a friend. As long as it's going to take, you'd only get pennies an hour for the time you'd need to put in. You couldn't possibly charge her an real 'wage' for the many, many hours it will take to do the recording (and re-recording where necessary).

Gosh, there are some great suggestions here!

Caroline, who is the narrator of your book? I listened to unabridged books all the time when I was in the process of fixing up an old house. Couldn't have survived those long hours of painting without them.

Wow, great ideas guys!!!
Personally I think it would drive me crazy to have an audio book. But like Caroline mentioned the book has to be in the foreground, that's where the concentration has to be.

She put an ad on Kijiji looking for someone, and hubby was interested and has been corresponding with her. He had no idea what to charge and I knew I would get lots of help here. He himself said it would be far more money than it would be comfortable in having her pay. Even $75/book would be too expensive for her comfortably I would think, and it's a laborious task.....not to mention the legalities of it, which we hadn't even thought of.

You're in Canada, right? Try the Canadian Federation of the Blind, and the Blind Readers' Page.

Here is a link that might be useful: Blind Readers

About years ago when I was in college, I could have had a work study job where I recorded text books for blind students. At that time, they were paying $15 an hour. For a work study student that was a lot of money. I tried it but found that I got tongue tied after about 10 minutes.

The Library of Congress has recorded books which are available to both the US and Canada at no cost

Here is a link that might be useful: recorded books

This post was edited by chessey24 on Thu, Mar 14, 13 at 22:32

As others have mentioned, recorded books are available all over the place. Does she not realize this?

I used to read for a blind literature professor I had. Loved it. I read for him prior to his classes to refresh his memory, I guess. He was an amazing person.

When I was in high school, I read to the blind and discovered how difficult it is to read at a nice cadence with emotion without getting emotional. I was reading Love Story to a blind guy and when it got to the death part, we both broke down so badly I couldn't continue and had finish the book another day. It was like that with several books.

Jodi-

One of my close friends has a lovely British accent and is a gifted storyteller. Years ago she volunteered to record for the blind and was given her assignment: a book of crochet patterns. I'll bet the crocheters enjoyed those instructions.

I love, love, love to read aloud, and would do so if I had the opportunity, but not to have it taped, I don't think.

Years ago my much older brother and I read aloud to each other the book 'Where Did You Go? Out. What Did You Do? Nothing", and we each discussed the memories we got from it. That began my love for reading aloud.

Another favorite: Any Dr. Seuss book. I love being able to twist my tongue around all those wonderful words of his. Not much chance to read these though.

Hi again jasdip,

I'm on tenterhooks ... wondering how this is all going to turn out.

Be sure to let us know, O.K.?

Does she have an idea what medium she wants to use?

Maybe she could rent them out to the folks in the Toronto area who take half an hour to an hour to commute ... twice a day.

(Sort of makes one glad to be retired).

I wouldn't mind helping - I think that I could inject some emotion into the reading.

I remember a preacher story that I heard years ago ...

... pencilled into the margin of a sermon, "Argument weak here - yell like ...." (well ... loudly).

o j