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Oakland Talking Book Service seeks continued county support as contract approaches 2027 expiration
Summary
Library leaders told the committee OTBS completed a statewide software migration, expanded its low‑vision expo and said the service—one of the state's largest for talking books—hopes the county will re‑issue an RFP before the contract ends in December 2027.
Julianne, executive director of the Rochester Hills Public Library, and Rebecca Lefay, the Talking Book Services librarian, briefed the committee on the Oakland Talking Book Service’s 2025 operations and asked the committee to consider a future RFP when the county contract ends in December 2027.
They said the service completed a large software migration mandated by the state Braille and Talking Book Library and highlighted outreach including an expanded low‑vision expo co‑hosted with Leader Dogs. Julianne said OTBS is one of Michigan’s busiest advisory centers: “We are the largest. We have the most number of registered users, separate from Lansing, and we have the highest circulation,” she told the committee.
Staff noted the program’s average user age is in the 80s and said the county’s underwriting supports professional development and staff attendance at national forums. The presenters asked the committee to plan for continuity: the service requires library‑trained staff and a county decision not to re‑bid could leave a service gap for older residents and patrons with print disabilities.
Committee members asked about contract timing and confirmed the current agreement runs through December 2027. The committee took no direct action but indicated it valued the service and will consider the contract timing in future procurement planning.
