Radio Talking Book Service

06/01/2026

New Book Alert: The Swan Gondola by Nebraska author Timothy Schaffert starts today! Our volunteer reader Keven McGuire will be narrating the story.

A lush and thrilling romantic fable about two lovers set against the scandalous burlesques, midnight séances, and aerial ballets of the 1898 Omaha World’s Fair.

On the eve of the 1898 Omaha World’s Fair, Ferret Skerritt, ventriloquist by trade, con man by birth, isn’t quite sure how it will change him or his city. Omaha still has the marks of a filthy Wild West town, even as it attempts to achieve the grandeur and respectability of nearby Chicago. But when he crosses paths with the beautiful and enigmatic Cecily, his whole purpose shifts and the fair becomes the backdrop to their love affair.

One of a traveling troupe of actors that has descended on the city, Cecily works in the Midway’s Chamber of Horrors, where she loses her head hourly on a guillotine playing Marie Antoinette. And after closing, she rushes off, clinging protectively to a mysterious carpetbag, never giving Ferret a second glance. But a moonlit ride on the swan gondola, a boat on the lagoon of the New White City, changes everything, and the fair’s magic begins to take its effect.

Catch Nebraska Bookshelf Monday-Friday from 1-2
https://listen.streamon.fm/rtbs

From the critically acclaimed author of The Coffins of Little Hope, The Swan Gondola is a transporting read, reminiscent of Water for Elephants or The Night Circus.

06/01/2026

RTBS is excited to provide audio description for Mary Poppins at the Omaha Community Playhouse on Saturday, June 6 at 7:30 pm on the Hawks mainstage with a preshow starting at 7:15. “Step in time” into the whimsical world of imagination and wonder! The beloved story of the practically perfect nanny who transforms the lives of the Banks family takes flight! With dazzling choreography, unforgettable songs, and a heartwarming tale, Mary’s delightful adventures will whisk you away on a ride of joy and laughter. Don’t miss this stunning and unforgettable family classic that’s supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Join us for an audio described performance on Saturday, June 6 at 7:30pm. Be sure to arrive early to get settled and catch the preshow! Call the Box Office at (402) 553-0800 to purchase tickets and reserve your audio description headset.

05/30/2026

Head on over to The Bookworm Omaha for their Booksellers Selling Books event. Happening from 9-6. The books are $5 or less! You may just find your summer reading pile.

100% of the proceeds to RTBS.

Support a local business and non-profit at the same time, genius!

05/29/2026

Betsy Von Kerens with The Bookworm Omaha shares what it is like to run an independent bookstore and about their upcoming Booksellers Book Sale with 100%, you read that right, 100% of the proceeds coming to us here at RTBS.

Betsy is our guest on Community Conversations today at 12:30.

Listen here:

https://rtbs.org/ways-to-listen/

05/28/2026

Team RTBS was out sharing the mission of bringing the written word to life for those that can no longer access on their own independently. Queenie and Steph were busy filling out radio applications at Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired 's Silver Summit in Kearney Nebraska.

If you know of someone that would benefit from this free service, hit the link below for the radio application.

https://rtbs.org/ways-to-listen/apply-for-a-radio.html

05/27/2026

Team RTBS is excited to partner with The Bookworm Omaha for an amazing Book Sellers Book Sale this Saturday!

Time: 9-6
Date: May 30th
Location: The Bookworm Omaha, 2501 S 90th St #111, Omaha, NE

Details: Books from the homes of TheBookworm booksellers including hardcovers, children’s books, ARCs, paperbacks, cookbooks, and more. Everything priced $5 or less!

100% of proceeds will be donated to Radio Talking Book Service!

05/26/2026

There is no place like Nebraska, and Team RTBS loves sharing the pride of Nebraska living through our Nebraska Life segment.

Tune in Tuesdays at 12:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., with a repeat airing Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., as our volunteer reader Michelle shares articles from Nebraska Life Magazine and Nebraskaland Magazine.

From small-town stories and hidden gems to outdoor adventures and Nebraska traditions, this segment celebrates all the reasons we love calling Nebraska home.

Listen Here: https://rtbs.org/ways-to-listen/

05/25/2026

Memorial Day is a federal U.S. holiday dedicated to mourning and honoring the military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Observed annually on the last Monday of May, it is a solemn time of remembrance.

Team RTBS wishes you all a thoughtful and intentional Memorial Day.

05/22/2026

Team RTBS is very excited about this partnership! Support small business and our service at the same time. 📚📚📖📖

Mark you calendars for our first-ever Booksellers Book Sale, happening Saturday, May 30th from 9 am to 6 pm, or while supplies last. 100% of proceeds from the sale will be donated to Radio Talking Book Service, a Nebraska-based nonprofit serving Nebraska and southwest Iowa with a mission to connect individuals who are blind, low vision, or print impaired to news and other print media.

The sale features tomes from the homes of The Bookworm booksellers, including hardcovers, children's books, ARCs, paperbacks, cookbooks, and more! Everything is less than $5 and it all goes to a great cause.

Hope to see ya then!