Read
SSB's Communication Center depends on volunteers to record standard print materials. We have two different units that use volunteer readers. The Audio Services unit makes custom audio recordings for students, workers, leisure readers, and organizations. Radio Talking Book - a 24/7 reading service that broadcasts programs online and via apps - records books, newspapers, magazines and other content.
At the present time, in addition to seeking strong readers for general subjects, we are particularly looking for readers with a background in science, health care, mathematics, law or computers. We are also seeking volunteers with fluency in another language, especially Somali, Hmong, Dakota, Anishinaabe, Karen, Arabic, and Chinese. If you have expertise in any of these areas, please keep reading to find out more about volunteering.
Do I have the Time?
Becoming a volunteer reader requires a time commitment of two to four hours a week. You can record at the Communication Center's own studios in St. Paul's Midway area. We also have options for recording at home; you must have a quiet place for recording. We'll provide equipment and assignments.
What Will I Read?
Volunteers in both Audio Services and Radio Talking Book record a full range of print materials without editing or censorship. Depending on your strengths and interests and our needs you may be assigned to read fiction, non-fiction, magazines, newspapers, textbooks, leisure books, and/or business and vocational materials.
Do I Have the Ability?
Our volunteer readers must be able to read aloud without previous preparation and with a high degree of accuracy and clarity. You should be able to follow instructions, fix mistakes, and pronounce words correctly.
Does volunteer reading sound interesting?
Test yourself on the following words:
- ambivalence
- gubernatorial
- nuclear
- hallucinatory
- niche
- dichotomy
- rhetoric
- unanimity
- obsequious
- recidivism
- queue
- bacchanalian
- choreography
- bureaucracy
- deficit
- irrelevant
- acclimate
- pseudonym
- barrage
- ophthalmologist
If you can pronounce 18 out of the above 20 words without hesitation, and you have the reading qualities just described, you may want to apply to become a recording volunteer.
All volunteers must pass an oral reading test. The test consists of nine parts, including such areas as word pronunciation, poetry, news articles, humor, children's stories, and optional specialty term tests.
How to Apply
If you are interested in becoming a reader, fill out the volunteer services form. After you submit the form, we will send you a volunteer application. Once you fill out and return the application, we will contact you about scheduling a reading test. If you have questions, please call our offices at 651-539-2300 (Twin Cities Metro) or toll-free 800-652-9000.
Produce Braille
The Braille Unit at SSB has an ongoing need for volunteers who have National Library Service (NLS) certification in braille. They can also use volunteers who do not know braille for other important tasks.
Braille Transcription
A volunteer must have or be working on certification as a braille transcriber by the National Library Service in Washington, D.C. The training for certification takes about a year to complete; it is available in many local areas. Upon certification, additional training is available in transcribing textbooks. Volunteers use computers, either their own or one provided by SSB, to produce braille in their homes. At least one braille volume of about 70 pages must be transcribed each month.
Tactile Graphics
Tactile graphics (raised pictures, maps, or diagrams that can be felt rather than seen) volunteers assist in producing the illustrations that are used in many types of braille books. Graphics are prepared by tracing, freehand drawing, or by using a computer design program. Training is provided and the time commitment varies with the project being worked on. It is not necessary to be familiar with braille.
Proofreading Assistant/Copy Reader
A proofreading assistant/copy reader works as a team with a braille proofreader; the volunteer will read print material aloud while the proofreader checks the braille copy for accuracy. Volunteers read for approximately three hours at a time, with frequent breaks. It is not necessary to be familiar with braille, and no reading test is required.
How to Apply
For more information and an application, fill out the volunteer services form.
