Kent District Library’s Talking Book & Braille Center (TBBC) has been honored as the 2025 Library of the Year by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), a division of the Library of Congress. This prestigious national award recognizes TBBC’s exceptional commitment to serving readers with visual, physical or print disabilities across Kent, Ionia and Montcalm counties.
Led by Accessibility & Inclusion Specialist Shelley Roossien, TBBC currently serves more than 750 patrons and continues to expand its reach and impact through innovative services and inclusive programming.
Among its recent accomplishments, TBBC unveiled a fully updated Adaptive Technology Lab at the KDL Service Center, featuring cutting-edge tools such as a braille embosser, refreshable braille display, OCR camera and enhanced screen reader and magnification software. The lab is available to patrons by appointment.
TBBC also broadened KDL’s Beyond Books collection to include accessible technology like portable video magnifiers, wearable artificial-vision devices and adaptive gaming controllers. In addition, the center introduced LEGO Braille Bricks kits in both English and Spanish for outreach and programming, with kits now available for circulation.
In October, TBBC partnered with local organizations to host the first annual Kent District Library Disability Expo, further strengthening community connections and awareness.
A key contributor to TBBC’s success is longtime volunteer Gerry Garvelink, who repaired over 800 playback machines last year for NLS network libraries across Michigan. Garvelink, a 21-year volunteer, has been recognized with both the Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award and a Daily Point of Light Award.
This marks TBBC’s second time receiving the NLS Library of the Year award, having previously earned the honor in 2015.
“It’s an incredible honor to receive this award—it truly reflects the impact of accessibility and inclusion in our community,” says Roossien. “We believe everyone should have the opportunity to read, learn and connect, regardless of ability and TBBC is a powerful expression of KDL’s mission to further all people.”
For more information about the Talking Book & Braille Center and its services, visit kdl.org/tbbc.