Thanks to a group of Baptist volunteers in Rochester, New York, Presbyterians in Canada can purchase the Book of Praise in braille for nearly the same price as a typical hymnbook.
The braille version comes in three boxes, includes a complete index of hymns, and carries a Canadian price tag of $30. Because the set can only be produced by the U.S.-based charity at a rate of about one per week, new orders made through the WMS Book Room will be added to a waiting list. Shipping is free.
The First Baptist Church Braille Service is a modest group of about 30 certified braillists who volunteer their time to transcribe a range of materials, and charge only for paper and maintenance.
A professional transcription of the Book of Praise would probably have cost over $600 to transcribe and $80 per copy, but the group is charging only US$25 per book. With a cost of about five cents per page, the 834-hymn, 1268-page set costs just over US$60 to produce — more than double the price being charged to buyers.
“We’re pleased to be able to have done it,” said Lynn Pembroke, a professional braillist and chair of the service. “It was a big endeavour and was more than we anticipated at the beginning, so it has gotten lengthy.”
Several braillists worked on the book simultaneously, typing up various sections at a rate of about 15 minutes per page — over 260 hours of work to type the hymns alone.
A thank you donation was sent to the group on behalf of the national church, but Canadians who wish to contribute or extend their thanks can send donations care of the secretary, Sandy Hollands, at 1120 South Creek Drive, Webster, NY, 14580. A letter will be issued to recognize contributions. — C.Purvis
