• Mindfulness is a growing area in early literacy as children who practice mindfulness have become more attentive in the classroom. Engaging with nature requires us to pause and reflect.
• Spending time outside is reported to increases immune function and lower stress levels, improve mental health, and lower blood pressure.
• Improving access to parks will also encourage physical activity, which reduces the risk of chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and many types of cancer, which are some of the leading causes of death in South Carolinians.
• By visiting South Carolina’s parks, patrons also have an opportunity to learn more about our history, as well as showcase the work of state agencies directly to patrons.

Talking Book Services (TBS) is a free program of the South Carolina State Library for permanent and temporary residents who can technically be certified as print disabled (ex: blind, physically limited and/or cognitively impaired) by a predetermined list of professionals from various fields.  Their impairment generally prevents them from reading standard print books.  The department is also considered a regional library of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), a division of the United States Library of Congress.

This free library program brings reading materials in digital audio and Braille formats straight to the homes of patrons from preschoolers to centenarians. Books on digital cartridge, digital talking-book players and Braille books are sent to patrons via the U.S. mail at no cost to users, and no fines of any kind are ever assessed by the program.  Participants also have the option of downloading books and magazines over the Internet in audio or Braille format through an online version known as BARD.

If you are already signed up for TBS services, feel free to search the catalog at this link: https://scsltbs.klas.com/

To apply for TBS services, please select this link: https://www.sctalkingbook.org/apply