Executive Proclamation

WHEREAS, South Dakota became the nation's 41st state with a regional library in the national network of cooperating libraries in partnership with the Library of Congress, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; and,

WHEREAS, The South Dakota Braille and Talking Book Library is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its original dedication on January 28, 1969, and becoming fully operational on February 1, 1969; and,

WHEREAS, the South Dakota Braille and Talking Book Library serves people who are unable to read or use normal print materials as a result of temporary or permanent visual or physical limitations including those who are blind, have a visual disability that prevents them from reading standard print, or have a physical disability that prevents them from being able to hold a book or turn pages; and,

WHEREAS, the South Dakota Braille and Talking Book Library, headquartered in the State Library in Pierre, provides free library services to eligible individuals in communities across the state in accessible formats including braille and digital audio talking books mailed to patrons for free, or downloadable from the NLS BARD website and BARD mobile app; and,

WHEREAS, the South Dakota Braille and Talking Book Library contributes to the statewide empowerment of individuals with standard print disabilities and improves educational and professional opportunities and overall quality of life through the provision of descriptive videos, books, magazines, and textbooks in braille and large print, and a wide variety of other materials and resources; and,

WHEREAS, the South Dakota Braille and Talking Book Library works to ensure "that all may read" by providing eligible patrons access to reading material regardless of age, disability, economic circumstances, or technical expertise:

Now, Therefore, I,
Kristi Noem,
Governor of the state of South Dakota,
do hereby proclaim

January 28, 2019, as

South Dakota Braille and Talking Book
Library Day

in South Dakota.