Photo/Story Opportunity: Lee County Talking Books Library Mail Carrier of the Year

Media Contacts:

Heather O'Connell, Lee County Library System

(239) 461-2924 or hoconnell@leegov.com

Debra Mitchell, U.S. Postal Service

239-573-9638 debra.j.mitchell@usps.gov

For August 17

Stu Lippman U.S. Postal Service

(239) 772-8363

Photo Opportunities:
August 17 at 11 a.m.

Award Recipient Makes Special Delivery to Nominator

August 21 at 9:30 a.m.

Proclamation by Lee County Board of County Commissioners

Lee County Board of County Commissioners Meeting

August 21- following presentation

Street-side Surprise

Outside the building

Lee County Talking Books Library Mail Carrier of the Year

FORT MYERS, Fla., August 14, 2007 - A Lee County U.S. Mail Carrier will receive special honors from the Lee County Board of County Commissioners for outstanding service to those receiving Lee County Library System's "Talking Books" by mail.

Every day, U.S. mail carriers bring something extra-special to Lee County residents with low vision, blindness or physical disabilities: "Talking Books" from Lee County Library System's Talking Books Library.

These free materials and special players allow hundreds of Lee County residents to continue to enjoy popular books and current magazines, even though they cannot read standard printed books.

Many times, the U.S. Mail Carriers go above and beyond to help these postal customers, by placing their return labels correctly, bringing large packages to the door and even reading the printed information on the packages, so these customers know what they are receiving.

Because the Talking Books Service relies on the U.S. Postal Service to deliver these free materials, and these U.S. Mail Carriers play such an important role in these customers' lives, the users of the Lee County Talking Books Library have nominated several U.S. Mail Carriers as the first Lee County Talking Books Library Mail Carrier of the Year.

Here are excerpts from some of the nominations:

"I am blind, and very hard of hearing; I am also homebound. I have always loved reading. With the help of my wonderful postman, the Talking Books have been a great salvation for me. Very often, he brings the books inside and reads me the titles."

"Besides being caring and helpful, for example, bringing our books to our door when it's a large delivery. He has such a great

attitude."

"She brings books right to the door and rings the bell."

The first Lee County Talking Books U.S. Mail Carrier of the Year will be honored at the Lee County BOCC meeting on August 21. U.S. P.S. Cape Coral Branch Manager Stu Lippman will also be attending.

The Lee County Talking Books Library provides access to more than 1 million titles of "Talking Books", descriptive videos and other materials to those whose low-vision, blindness or disability does not allow them to read standard printed books. Tours and additional information about the Talking Books Library, Books-By-Mail and other Lee County Library Services are also available.

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