Betty: Do you know what’s so great about large print books?

Kris: Everything?

B: Mind-reader! Yes! Literally everything.

K: So defining everything, are you thinking what I’m thinking?

B: Well, I know that originally it was supposedly for seniors or folks with sight problems who were having trouble reading teeny tiny print. But those days are gone.

K: I know. Now we are seeing large print circulate to all ages and interests.

What else were you thinking?

B: Well, it used to be that bestsellers would break out, and then six months later a large print edition would emerge. Now regular and large print often are published simultaneously or within the month. Folks don’t have to wait anymore to know what all the buzz is about.

K: I like the changes in format that we’ve been seeing. In the past some large print was unbearably heavy and hard to hold. For readers who don’t want to read from a device and want the experience of a book, that made it tough. Now large print often comes in lighter weight paperbacks that are portable and convenient.

B: We also know that sometimes large print appeals to reluctant readers because it isn’t so intimidating.

K: That also goes for readers when English is their second language. And how many times have we heard from patrons that it is just easier on their eyes when they go home at night and want to read?

B: Yeah, we get that a lot, and we also get that because we read them, too. It seems like the books read faster, and we know from experience that sometimes the hold queues are shorter on the large print. They are like an expressway to the next bestseller!

K: We are very lucky to have a generous organization such as the Lions Club of New Ulm, which supports our large print collection with an important donation year after year.

B: Oh. My. Gosh! Huge shout-out to the Lions! Can we name them individually?

K: I don’t think we have the time or space here.

B: OK. Well, then. Here is a very, very large and sincere thank you to all of our Lions. They ask us what we need and very kindly support us and our reading community. There are some days when an entire cart is made up of large print books that have been returned from our patrons and from libraries around the state. They remain that popular and well-used.

K: It certainly is an appreciated collection in our building.

B: I have staff coming to me more and more often, saying that a patron has requested a certain title in large print or a book club is doing X and would like at least one large print copy. That makes my life easier; if I know what folks want, I can try to get it. And the Lions make my life that much easier by financially supporting our efforts.

K: It has been on my radar when I order books for our book clubs. Some folks prefer audio or large print, and we like to offer them all the options.

B: It’s like large print is the new cool kid.

K: And because of the Lions, our large print collection is very popular and will continue to grow. Thanks, Lions!

B: Truly! Thank you very kindly.