The machine-repair program was decentralized in 1958 in an effort to
reduce growing backlogs of machines needing maintenance or repair.
Major repairs were still to be made at a central point, but minor ones (such
as replacement of fuses, defective tubes, and other parts) were to be
handled by the distributing agencies. Unfortunately, personnel in the
machine-lending agencies lacked the technical knowledge to make the
system workable. Forced to look elsewhere for a solution, the Library of
Congress turned to the Telephone Pioneers of America – today the
"Pioneers – a volunteer network".
In the spring of 1960, pilot studies were undertaken in two machine-
lending agencies, one in a metropolitan area and the other in a rural
community. Under the pilot program, the Pioneers, drawing on their
technical and electronics skills, made major repairs of machines and trained
agency personnel to make minor repairs. By September 1960, both
regional agencies declared the study an unqualified success, and the
Library of Congress requested extension of the service to other areas. The
Pioneers are now an integral part of the national program, repairing
thousands of machines annually.
That All May Read . . .
Through the Library of Congress, The National Library Service (NLS) uses to the Talking Books Program to
assist people who are unable to read standard print material due to visual and/or physical impairments.

NLS provides Braille and recorded books and magazines that can be borrowed, free of charge, or delivered by
postage-free mail to those in need.

Our volunteers help NLS and their patrons by repairing and refurbishing the cassette and record players used
in the Talking Book Program.

The AT&T Pioneers refurbished approximately 43,900 cassette and record players in 2009. We also have
maintained more than 2.19 million players for five decades for a total of 4.2 million hours of volunteer service
for the Library of Congress.
For more
Project Information,
Find a Chapter in your area
and select their
Project page
or
Community Service
Calendar