History

The Recording Library of West Texas

RLWT started in 1963 in Midland, Texas as The Free Tape Lending Library ( aka The Recording Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped) which is now known as The Recording Library of West Texas.

[image description: A woman in a black dress poses for a photo in front of a bookshelf. The sign reads Free Tape Lending Library First Presbyterian Church .]

Mrs. Martin loved reading. She started developing  Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), an eye disease that can blur your central vision. She was unable to read print smaller than 3 inch

es. To continue her love of literature, she started the Free Tape Lending Library. Volunteers would read books and record them on tape and reel.

[image description: a photo of a woman from a newspaper article stands next to a tape and reel machine. To the left is another photo of a recording studio with microphones. Below is a photo of a young woman sitting in front of a computer and microphone narrating a book. “How we record in 2023”]

In the early 2000’s RLWT created a 24-hour radio station to provide programming and entertainment to clients. Clients can hear the station on radios or Alexa devices provided by us. We created our own Alexa Skill, Recording Library. You can hear our station by clicking “listen now” from the home page of our website. Alexa Auto is also used to hear our station in the car.

Clients are able to receive a radio or Alexa device free of charge.

Mission Statement 

The Recording Library’s mission is to produce high quality recordings in order to enrich the lives of those with impairments.

As an organization we are committed to expanding our outreach, maintaining the transparency of our financial and operational practices, and utilizing the latest technology in all of our programs.

Dedicated to improving the lives of people who cannot access the printed word, the Recording Library of West Texas offers audio versions of different forms of media to the visually impaired. From audio version books and audio version magazines to audio versions newspapers and newsletters, we help our community stay connected and better their lives.

We are committed to remaining at the forefront of technological developments in order to deliver our services to all. Our RLWT radio station is available for listening on the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. Click to listen to live RLWT radio today!

We offer our works in a number of formats to reach the widest possible audience. Our work doesn’t just offer visually impaired services. The Recording Library of West Texas has dyslexia services & other learning disabilities services. We also offer senior services in Midland, TX.

Our services are free of charge, regardless of age, gender, race, religious affiliation or socio-economic level.

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Get Involved!

We are always looking for dedicated supporters of our mission. If you’d like to help us provide learning disabilities services, visually impaired services, and senior services to Midland, TX, here’s how you can get involved:

Become a Reader: Without our readers, we’d have a hard time delivering our audio-version books, audio-version newspapers, audio-version magazines and more to our clients! We provide thorough training and help you throughout every step to become a skilled digital reader.

Volunteer: Maybe reading out loud isn’t your thing. There are plenty of other opportunities for you to help out. Call our office today to learn about other volunteer opportunities.

Donate: Every donation helps us achieve our mission of helping those who must read by listening. We thank you for your support! Whether you’d like to become a reader or donate to our cause, we are grateful for every bit of support we receive. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you!

The Recording Library has many supporters. Laura Bush (pictured left) served as an honorary member of the board during her tenure as First Lady of Texas.