About the Audio Library

Welcome to the audio library; this is an ongoing service project related to carrying the message.  We are in the process of preserving and restoring the largest historical A.A. & Al-Anon tape library ever assembled.  This library was originally known as "The Midwest Tape Library".

Around the very late 1950's Bill & Arbutus O. of Texas began the Midwest Tape Library.  The mission that they adopted was "to preserve the history of the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous from its inception in 1935 and to continue as an ongoing record.  Particular attention has been given to the early pioneers and founders."  Bill and Arbutus relied on the voluntary contributions of members who shared their goals.

Bill O. had dedicated nearly his entire 48 years of sobriety to helping to carry the message of hope to alcoholics all over the world.  His wife Arbutus is one of the pioneering members of Al-Anon.  Many groups and loners alike were assisted in their recovery by using tape recordings provided by Bill & Arbutus.  Bill O. had a dream that this library would be available to all future generations of A.A. and Al-Anon. Unfortunately, Bill did not live long enough to see his dream fulfilled, but we are working now to complete his mission.  

To preserve and make available the library that Bill & Arbutus began many years ago is the main purpose of this online audio library.  We decided that we would also continue to add to the library just as Bill did during his lifetime.  As of September 2008 we have nearly 5,000 talks available on this site and with your support we will have the entire Midwest Tape Library fully digitized and preserved within five years.  When complete, we estimate an additional 15,000 to 20,000 speaker talks.

The original library is contained on more than 3,500 reel-to-reel tapes, over 5,000 cassette tapes, and one hundred records.  Over the past few years we have slowing begun to digitize these old reel-to-reels and many of the cassettes.  This project has not only been very expensive but quite time consuming. The recordings date back to 1946 and include all of the International Conventions and many recordings from other countries. This audio library is very extensive and includes many Al-Anon talks, as well as talks made at Yale School on Alcoholism.  Some of these recordings have never before been made available.

We have made a great start toward reaching the goal of having the entire library transferred into a digital audio library, and then made available through online downloading.  This service has been provided up to this point by voluntary contributions from the library's owner and his family.  Now, with the launch of this website, for the first time we are creating a way that will allow others to participate in this project. By becoming a member and paying a fee per download you are not only helping to pay for and maintain the web site but also assisting us in having the remainder of the collection transferred to MP3s.  As these are being completed we will add them to our database for your listening pleasure.

This project is not associated in any way with Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, and/or Al-Anon Family Groups.  The project is being created "by members, for members".

Thus far in the process we already have more than 1,200 hours of the oldest recordings digitized and mastered.  The quality of these talks is, for the most part, excellent.  Because we have had several different people involved in the process of digitizing and some of the reel-to-reels had duplicates listed differently it is possible that from time to time you may find the same talk listed under a different file name.  We have worked to try to prevent these things but unfortunately we know that some will still slip through.  If you become the recipient of two files that are exactly the same or have any problems with the recordings that you purchase we will be happy to credit you the appropriate amount.  If you find any files that are damaged or cannot be listened to, please let us know.

Occasionally you may come across a talk that is of poor quality because the original recording was inferior.  If we feel that the recording has historical significance, even though the quality is not good, we will still make it available.  One talk that comes to mind is that of A.A.'s friend Sister Ignatia speaking to patients.  Even though the beginning of the talk is in poor condition, it is still worthwhile to "listen in" as she talks to the patients. 

The current files do not list the file size or time length of each talk.  It is possible that one talk may be 90 minutes while another might be only 10 minutes.  All files have been converted to the smallest size possible without compromising quality in an effort to speed up downloading times.  You will find that most talks run between 45-70 minutes.  Our plan is to launch phase 2 of this website in the early part of 2009 and at that time we will indicate in the listing the approximate file size and length of the talk.  

As you search our database you will find many interesting talks by members and friends of A.A. in the 50's and 60's.  You will be excited to hear interviews with early members and even some rare radio broadcasts.

We ask you to please share this site with your friends and come back often to see what other exciting gems we have found.  Remember, this project is a work in progress and it can only happen with your help.

After reviewing our database you may want to share a speaker talk that you have.  We welcome all such donations and would be happy to add them to our growing library.  We ask that you mail CDs or DVDs in MP3 format to the following address:

AAITEMS.COM

P.O. Box 2736

Chandler, AZ  85244-2736

Or Contacy Us regarding FTP permission to the website.