ONEBOOKAZ's Recording Sessions Slated at the Braille and Talking Books Library

PHOENIX  – Kicking off  ONEBOOKAZ in Arizona's centennial year will be a recording session at the Arizona Braille and Talking Book Library.  Conrad Storad and Lynda Exley, co-authors of this year's kids' book selection, Arizona Way Out West & Witty, have arranged to record the book themselves at the Braille and Talking Book Library's recording studio on Jan. 13, 18 and 20, 2012.

The Arizona Braille and Talking Book Library's mission is to provide books, magazines and other library resources in alternate formats for all Arizona residents whose visual or physical disabilities prevent the use of conventional print materials. Audio books are provided by mail and at no cost to eligible individuals. With more than 60,000 recorded titles, the library is dedicated to adding each year's ONEBOOKAZ selections to its collection so that all Arizonans can participate in the communal celebration of ONEBOOKAZ. Having the authors of this year's ONEBOOKAZ kid's selection recording the text themselves is a nice bonus.

An independent writer and editor since 1995, Lynda Exley is currently the editor for the SanTan Sun News; editor, writer and publicist for Five Star Publications; and an editor for Arizona Parenting.

The co-founder of KidsCanPublish.com, Exley is also a public speaker on the topics of writing, publishing, public relations and Arizona history for both adults and children in grades one through eight. She has spoken to thousands of students in just the past few years.

Conrad Storad  is an award-winning author of more than 30 science and nature books for children and young adults. His book Don't Call Me Pig! (A Javelina Story) was selected by Arizona’s 2005 Governor, Janet Napolitano, as part of her program to promote reading. More than 93,000 Arizona first-graders received a special edition copy. In 2001, the Arizona Library Association honored Storad with the Judy Goddard Award as "Arizona Children's Author of the Year."

Joining Lynda Exley and Conrad Storad in the recording studio will be Johnny "JR" Ringo, a ringtail and Arizona's State Mammal Mascot.

This program is supported with funds granted by the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records, a Division of the Secretary of State, under the Library Services and Technology Act, which is administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

For more information on ONEBOOKAZ and a list of events around the state, visit www.onebookaz.org. If you or someone you know has a visual impairment that makes it difficult to read the print version of this year's ONEBOOKAZ, please call the Braille and Talking Book Library at (602) 255-5578 or toll free 1-800-255-5578.