Second-level teachers with good speaking voices are being sought by the National Council for the Blind of Ireland to record books at home. Those interested will be trained at the NCBI centre in Dublin. Teachers in all subjects are welcome, especially language teachers.

"It's essential that all potential readers have a good speaking voice, clear speech and the ability to read out loud for long periods," says Domitilla Zoldan of the NCBI library. "Quality recordings and the needs of the blind student are the most important consideration."

Almost 400 children in second-level schools are registered with the NCBI. "However," she adds, "we estimate that many more unregistered students could gain considerable benefits from such a service." Last year the NCBI produced 16 texts from the Junior Cert and the Leaving Cert. This year, the council hopes to produce up to 50 new textbooks at the beginning of the next academic year. For information, phone (01) 830 7033 or fax (01) 830 7787.