Vol. 38, No. 2
June / July 2008

FRIENDS OF TALKING BOOKS FOUNDER

Harriet McIntosh, founding member of Arizona Friends of Talking Books, passed away on June 21, 2008.  Harriet was a writer and a lifelong champion for public libraries.  Her articles appeared in publications from Mademoiselle to The New York Times and her memoir, Yoo Hoo – I’m Over Here! was published in 1996.

In 1999 Harriet brought together a group of friends and other interested persons to form the new Friends of Talking Books.  It was her enthusiasm and experience with other friends groups that helped make our Friends such a success.

This year the board will hold their fourth annual fundraiser “Whine & Cheese 2008”.  The Friends provided funding for the conversion of the local volunteer recording studios from analog tape to digital technology.  This was a huge project and the next phase will be to purchase new recording booths.  The final phase will be the purchase of digital duplicators, flash cartridges and containers for distribution of digital talking books.  The Friends have also provided support for the entire volunteer program, outreach and the very popular large print calendar.

Arizona Friends of Talking Books are the success they are today thanks to Harriet’s personal commitment and leadership.  In her obituary it was stated that she often commented, “The library is the lodge pole in the tent of my life.”  Thank you Harriet for being the Friends’ lodge pole.