NEWS photo Kilke Wakefield POSING WITH her good triend — a book — is audiobook narrator Pat Barlow. Barlow, a North Van- couver resident, has a knack for storytelling. She re- cords books of all types as pari of the Library Service Branch’s audiobook program. We carry a complete line of Interlocking Pavers in a myriad of styles and colours. Compare our Prices & Seiection! re! Sa Pressure Treated : Landscape Ties $3.99 es. Cash & Carry Pressure Treated S4S 7 992... Sunday, March 10, 1991 - North Shore News - 29 Hearing voices IT ONCE suffered from chronic, work-related eye strain so much that I sought taped reading in my leisure time. I would lie in bed at night, pop the cassette in and wait for that voice in the dark to create a world in my imagination. The voice was everything. It could make or break a story. Pat Barlow, of North Van- couver, is one of those ‘‘voices.”* A professional theatre, television and radio actress, Barlow narrates audio or talking books. As she animatedly describes her work it’s easy to see why she is a popular choice for listeners. She’s a self-professed storyteller. Barlow, and nine other soothing voices, records public library books at the provincial Library Services Branch in Burnaby. The narraiors are split into four categories: male and female North American and male and female English to suit the majority of users. The cassettes are for people unable to read conventional ink- print materials. Cooped up alone in a sound- proof booth, Barlow brings print to life, animating characters with accents (she does a wicked Scot- tish brogue) and bringing what she calls ‘‘flavor’’ to her narration. Sometimes this ‘‘flavor’’ is unintentional — the growling of a hungry stomach. “I always have to check (the tape for the growl- ing), and, sure enough, it’s as loud and clear as a cannon going WE books as an alternative to By Barbara Black News Reporter off,’ Barlow laughs. In her 15 years of experience, Barlow has narrated the gamut of the printed word, from fiction, biographies, travelogues and Ca- nadiana, to poetry and textbooks. “We do textbooks for the Ministry of Education,’’ says Barlow. *‘I just finished doing one that had six pages of index,’’ she relates breathlessly. ‘‘That gets a bit tedious.” The Audiobook program, run under the provincial ministry of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Culture. records 250 titles annual- ly which are available at libraries throughout B.C. and across Canada. When asked how many books she has recorded over the years Barlow could only estimate it at “thousands.” Many people are touched by the audiobooks and feel a rapport with the narrator. Barlow has received letters of appreciation from readers as weli as from authors. One author wrote to say how pleased she was at Barlow’s pronunciation of Hawaiian words. That book required some dic- tionary work, Barlow admits. At a recent gathering Barlow VE GOT ay Se ott poet mat, LEVOLOR™ Micro ¢ Mini ¢ Verticals Bring in this ad and receive an additional Levelor orders Offer ends March 16 5% ott A SHADE BETTER Specializing in Blinds and Draperies for over 7 years 1877 Marine Drive, N.Van. 084-44 041 #4-38918 Progress Way, Squamish 892-5857 Whistler 932-6617 and her co-workers had a chance to meet the people who listen to audiobooks. At a recent gathering Barlow and her co-workers had a chance to meet the people who listen to audiobooks. Of this experience Barlow ex- claims, ‘‘Taiking to these people you realize you just can’t do your job well enough for them.”’ For more information on the Audiobook program phone your local library. You Nevanigodtoon ote THE Rime OF You LIFE For ONLY #q% “ NOW SEIN Gr ROA 60 Beer DINNER. WIA AL TRE TRIMMINGS, —<—<— GUITARIST Tihuony/ FRIDAYS f CATULDAY HAL WENDY NEstre ¢ SUN EP BRUNCH. 2427 MARWE DAVE WEST VANCOUVER PROTECT YOUR LUNGS He DON’T SMOKE F Beitish Columbia Lung Association