Dots & Decibels 2008 Summer
Dots & Decibels Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library Newsletter
Perkins Library Honors Massachusetts Postal Workers
Without the dedicated service of the mail carriers, many library users would be unable to connect to the world of reading. To honor the dedication of these mail carriers who make our services possible, a celebration was held on July 1 in the Library's shipping area.
Perkins President Steven Rothstein began the presentation. He highlighted the extraordinary efforts of the postal workers in distributing 2,000 items per day to our approximately 21,000 users and noting that in fiscal year 2008, the mail carriers had delivered about 1 million items to and from users across Massachusetts.
Library Director Kim Charlson then spoke about the process of picking three people who were nominated to receive the "Outstanding Talking Book Mail Carrier Award" for 2008. Patrons were asked to submit nominations and to explain why their mail carriers should be considered for the award. A committee, composed of three Perkins staff members and three post office employees, was formed to evaluate the nominations and decide on the three winners of the award.
The three winners represent countless other dedicated postal carriers. All mail carriers nominated by patrons were sent special certificates to recognize their accomplishments.
Joseph Mitza received an award for the extraordinary help he offers Medford resident Barbara Dawson. Mitza identifies each piece of mail for her and tells her personally if she has not received any mail that day. Barbara says, "He takes a lot of time with this--reading this information to me... on his days off, he tells his substitutes to... ring the bell and identify the mail for me. I appreciate this service very much."
Fifteen-year-old patron Timmy Stevens of Tewksbury nominated mail carrier Martin Tildsley. According to Timmy's mom, Tildsley "brings Timmy cards, letters, packages and his favorite books on tape from the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library. He even came over one day and personally gave Tim a framed photo of one of his favorite Red Sox players – Big Papi!" She also stressed that Tildsley treats Timmy "just like any other kid on his route."
Alan Bolger was recognized for his dedicated service to New Bedford resident Dan Germano (and guide dog Turbo!) Not only does Bolger come every day through sun, rain, snow or sleet, but he makes a special effort to neatly put the mail on the table with Dan's cassettes so he can find everything easily. Dan's words attest to the special "above and beyond" treatment he receives from his mail carrier: "He always has a little bone for my guide dog, Turbo. But before he began giving my dog a treat, he asked for my permission. My guide dog waits for him every day!... His voice is always smiley; and if I have a question, he is always willing to help."
In addition to the three recipients, Jim Denham, Perkins Assistive Technology Coordinator, recognized Susan Abbott for her efforts as mail carrier in the local Watertown community. Many of our staff see Susan as she delivers mail during the day around the Perkins neighborhood.
Other guests included Rob Maier, Director of the Board of Library Commissioners, who thanked the Post Office and staff of the Perkins Library on behalf of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for maintaining a "lifeline" through their delivery of accessible materials. James Holland, Postmaster of Boston, also made a few remarks about the positive spirit of collaboration between the Perkins Library and the U.S. Postal Service.
Patrons who attended this event on behalf of their winning mail carriers were also awarded with special gifts. Both Charlson and Rothstein stressed the importance of the partnership and cooperation between the U.S. Postal Service and the Perkins Library which makes it possible for people to continue to experience the pleasures of reading in their lives.
Victor Reader Stream Loan Program Launched
Have you heard about the Humanware Victor Reader Stream? Many borrowers have purchased a Stream for $329 to use in conjunction with the NLS Digital Download Pilot Program. If you want to check one out before making a purchase, our Victor Stream Loan Program is for you!
The Friends of the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library have purchased 20 Victor Streams to be loaned to patrons for a 30 days providing users the chance to test it out, listen to a digital talking book, and use a portable digital player.
Here's how it will work: Anyone interested can request to borrow a Victor Stream. Library staff will pre-load the flash card in the machine with several digital talking books. The unit will come with operation instructions, a Quick Start Guide, and an instructional manual on CD – as well as information on how to access the built-in audio user guide in the Stream. Because there are only 20 units available, patrons must commit to return the loaner at the end of 30 days so others can have the chance to use the machine as well.
This program relies on each person agreeing to the loan requirements and returning the loan equipment by the end of the 30-day period.
The Stream offers advanced, easy-to-use technology. The numeric telephone-style keypad allows easy navigation through various levels of audio files (such as DAISY) and access to information about the Stream itself (such as battery level).
You can play books from Audible.com, books in the DAISY file format (such as those from Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic), and WAV and MP3 file formats. At this time you cannot play books from the Unabridged collection, but we believe this feature will be coming soon.
Many Library patrons who already own the Victor Stream are really excited about its portability and the opportunity to download books anytime, on their own. Once the NLS digital talking book machine has been made available for free loan, purchasing the Stream will no longer be required to access digital talking books via the download.
The Victor Reader Stream is available for $329. You can contact Perkins Products directly to place an order for the Stream at 617-972-7308, or through the Perkins Online Store at www.perkinsstore.org.
Perkins Expands Recording Studio Program
For many years, both MAB Community Services and the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library have operated recording studio programs. MAB's studio has operated on a fee-for-service basis, while the Perkins program has recorded books and other materials exclusively for the Braille & Talking Book Library collection.
Perkins and MAB are pleased to jointly announce that Robert Pierson, Recording Studio Manager for MAB Community Services for the past ten years, has accepted a position as Director of the Recording Studio at the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library. This position offers Pierson exciting challenges, as the Perkins Studio transitions its program to produce new digital titles for borrowers and for the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped/Library of Congress network of cooperating libraries.
Pierson's move provides MAB and Perkins with the opportunity to consolidate our separate recording studio operations into one program at Perkins. In addition, it allows for implementation of the recommendation made in the recent Boston Foundation report on nonprofits which urges organizations with similar functions to explore ways to realize greater efficiencies.
This consolidation of recording studio functions will make the digital transition more financially feasible, and will allow for quality enhancements for both the fee-for-service component and the Library collection development aspect of the program.
This collaboration is reminiscent of the transfer of custom recording services from the National Braille Press to MAB in 1975. MAB's recording program has grown considerably over the past 33 years--achieving many improvements in quality and service.
The rollover of fee-for-service custom recording to the Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library will occur over the next several months. Pierson assumed his new responsibilities as Recording Studio Manager at the Perkins Library on August 11. The same full range of recording and audio tape and CD duplication services will continue to be available to individuals and organizations/agencies. Information on pricing and timelines are available upon request.
If you have any questions about the transition, feel free to contact Kim Charlson, Director of the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library at 617-972-7240 or email Kim.Charlson@Perkins.org.
Coota and the Magic Quilt Author Event
On May 27, The Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library co-hosted an exciting author event with Our Space Our Place (OSOP) at the Tobin Community Center in Roxbury. Coota and the Magic Quilt author Heywood Fennell and narrator Fred Griffeth joined the OSOP group for a lively discussion. OSOP is an after-school program that offers an accessible and fun environment for elementary and high school students who are legally blind.
Coota and the Magic Quilt (RCM 814, BRM 1288) tells the story of eleven-year-old Coota. His mother sends him from Roxbury to stay in North Carolina for the summer. There, he discovers a slave's diary and learns from his civil rights activist grandmother about the Underground Railroad codes sewn into colorful quilts decorating her home. By the time Coota returns to the "Bury," he is rapping about Harriet Tubman.
Fennell, a playwright and community activist residing in Boston, shared with attendees the story behind Coota. He spoke about how he met Cheryl Cumings, library patron and director of OSOP. He based one of the book's characters on Cumings.
Griffeth, a musician and voice-over artist who has been narrating books at the BTBL recording studio for eight years, recorded the audio edition of Coota. He described to the students what it is like to narrate a talking book.
The students had a spirited question-and-answer session with the two guests. One student read aloud from a braille version of Coota, and then everyone gathered around the cassette player as Griffeth's recording was played.
Coota can be enjoyed by students in grades 5-8 and older readers. The book is also available through the Perkins Library in uncontracted braille (BRM 1370). Contact the library to order Coota, other books about the Underground Railroad, or books narrated by Fred Griffeth.
Fenway @ Perkins: September 18, 2008
You are invited to celebrate the Red Sox and baseball – America's favorite pastime!
Thursday, September 18
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Join us to hear from a distinguished panel of authors who have written books about the Boston Red Sox.
More specifics on which authors will be speaking will be available closer to the event. The guest authors will read from their books, tell interesting baseball stories, and be available to answer questions and sign autographs. Books will also be available for purchase and autographing.
As a very exciting addition to our Fenway @ Perkins event, both the 2004 and the 2007 World Series trophies will be on campus. You can have your photograph taken with the trophy as a memento of such a historic event. Ballpark-type refreshments will also be served.
Plan to attend this exciting and fun event commemorating baseball and the beloved Boston Red Sox. A postcard invitation/reminder will be sent in early September.
State Budget Update & Thank You to our Patrons
In the spring, an email appeal was sent out from the Friends of the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library asking patrons to advocate for better state funding for the Library's upcoming fiscal year budget. The response from borrowers was incredibly successful. Through your phone calls, emails and letters, you voiced your concerns about how increased funding was needed by the Perkins and Worcester libraries.
In his proposed state budget, Governor Patrick recommended $2,253,997, a $50,000 increase for the Perkins Library. Then the House heard your message loud and clear and recommended funding of $2,341,359. When the initial Senate budget was released with proposed funding for the Library at the 2008 level of $2,203,997, your advocacy once again made the difference. The final Senate budget was amended and approved at the same level as the House budget.
On July 13, Governor Deval Patrick signed the Fiscal Year 2009 budget with the Perkins Library and Worcester Library funding levels at $2,341,359 and $440,000, respectively.
This huge success was achieved through the help and advocacy of our many patrons. Thank you to all for taking the time to let your legislators know how important the Perkins Library is in your everyday lives.
Unabridged Wins Digital Pioneer Award
The Unabridged Program, a consortium of ten talking book libraries from across the country (including Massachusetts) was presented with a 2008 Digital Pioneer Award, or "Digie," in late July.
Online community building and advancing download technology at public libraries were the focus of Digipalooza '08, the library download service user-conference, held in Cleveland, Ohio, for librarians and publishers from across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Librarians from public, academic, and corporate libraries that offer downloadable eBook, audiobook, music, and video services from OverDrive shared and celebrated their experiences and innovations.
The award recognizes libraries demonstrating excellence in the expansion and promotion of their digital download websites. Unabridged was recognized for its innovative approach to providing digital downloadable audio books for blind and visually impaired patrons, and for developing a website with accessible enhancements for computer users relying on assistive technology. Unabridged was selected from a field of hundreds of public libraries and consortia that offer OverDrive downloadable content to their borrowers.
If you are interested in downloading audio books and playing them on your accessible MP3 player, contact the Perkins Library to sign up for Unabridged and get a user name and password.
Save the Date!
Adaptive Technology of the Perkins School for the Blind invites you to a free educational seminar Living Well with Macular Degeneration. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in Americans aged 65 and older.
This unique seminar will offer those living with AMD a chance to learn more about advancing technologies designed to improve the ability to perform everyday tasks such as reading, writing, banking or shopping. The seminar will also include hands-on demonstrations of many new products assisting people to live independently with vision loss.
WHEN: Saturday, September 20
8:30 AM - 12:30 PMWHERE: Perkins School for the Blind
Howe Building/Dwight Hall
175 North Beacon Street
Watertown, MA, 02472WHO: Anyone living with AMD, families, caregivers and friends
To make your reservation call 978-462-3817.
Digital Books Update
Library borrowers nationwide are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the new digital talking book machines. We had initially expected the first round of machines to be in our hands by this summer. However, the 2009 federal appropriation to fund the digital transition fell short of the $19.1 million that was needed. Instead, just $12.5 million was appropriated, and the funds dedicated to machine production were delayed and reduced.
Massachusetts is one of eight states designated to be the first recipients of the new digital talking book machines. We now expect them to arrive in January or February 2009. Because we will not have enough equipment for everyone to receive one for quite some time, we have established a waiting list for those interested to receive equipment on a first-come first-served basis. As designated by law, veterans will receive first priority.
If you are interested, and have not already placed your name on the wait list, please contact us to be added to the digital machine waiting list. By the time the digital machines arrive, we will have started receiving a small selection of digital talking books for you to listen to with the new machine.
Digital talking books will be listed in Talking Book Topics beginning in January/February 2009. Contact the Perkins Library and join the digital transition!
Hold Onto Those 4-Track Cassette Players!
You may be eager to try the great new digital players that NLS will be unveiling in 2009. However, these new digital machines will be phased in slowly.
Please hold onto your cassette machines, even if you are one of the first people to be selected to try the new NLS digital players. You will still need your cassette players to access magazines as well as titles that are only available on cassette.
Braille Essay Contest Announced
The Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library is conducting a braille essay writing contest in celebration of the 200th anniversary of Louis Braille's birth (January 4, 1809) which is being commemorated all around the world throughout 2009.
Over 185 years ago, Louis Braille revolutionized the lives of people who are blind, deafblind and visually impaired, with his invention, at the age of 15, of a simple system of six raised dots. Those six dots can be used to form letters of the alphabet, contractions, musical notation, mathematics, science and chemistry, computer notation and punctuation.
Anyone interested can enter by submitting an essay of no more than 1,000 words (for young adults and adult contestants) or 500 words (for children under 14 years of age). The theme is "How Braille has Made an Impact on My Way of Life." Essays can relate personal experience or reflection on how braille has improved your life. Authors are encouraged to give the theme their own imaginative interpretation.
Submissions should be sent to the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library, 175 North Beacon Street, Watertown, MA 02472. Essays will be accepted electronically via email, but extra points will be awarded to entries written in accurate contracted braille.
The contest deadline is November 15, 2008. The winners will be notified in January, and invited to receive their award and $100 prize at a Braille Literacy Celebration being planned at the Massachusetts State House in late January 2009.
(ook for Louis Braille pins and cards online at www.nbp.org or call 888-965-8965)
Sign Up For Newsline
Now you can hear the newspaper every day over the telephone. Newsline keeps people connected to the news. Newsline lets you listen to information from over 250 local and national newspapers from across the country 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. At your convenience – you can access it on the go – from anywhere, anytime.
To sign up, or for a brochure, call 1-800-852-3133, or e-mail library@perkins.org
Transition to Digital Television: What You Need to Know
On February 19, 2009 all full-power television stations must only broadcast in digital format. This conversion is due in part to advances in technology. Moreover the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has determined that the United States is running out of broadcast frequencies, and the conversion will free up frequencies for wireless services such as cell phones and internet services.
What does this mean for you?
If you receive your television signal through a cable or satellite provider, you do not need to purchase a converter box. Contact your service provider if you have specific questions.
If you do not subscribe to cable or satellite TV, you have several options to be able to continue to use the television set you currently own.
The first option is to purchase a digital-to-analog converter box. If you have a roof or television antenna, the box will allow the digital signal to be converted to an analog signal. Until March 31, 2009, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two digital-to-analog converter boxes.
Manufacturers estimate that digital-to-analog converter boxes will sell from $40 to $70 each. This is a one-time cost. For more information on the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program, visit www.dtv2009.gov, call 1-888-388-2009, or TTY 1-877-530-2634.
The second option is to purchase a new television set. The FCC required that as of March 1, 2007, all new television reception devices (including TVs, VCRs, DVRs, etc.) must contain a digital tuner. If you have purchased a new television set since March 2007, it already has the necessary digital transmitter inside.
You may already own a television unit with a digital transmitter inside. Many DTVs and most digital television equipment will have labels or markings on them, or statements in the informational materials that came with them, to indicate that they contain digital tuners.
Closed-captioning will still be available for the new digital format, but the availability of audio description is still uncertain. If you have questions or concerns about the availability of audio description, you should contact your cable or satellite provider or the television channel directly.
For more information about the digital conversion, visit the FCC's website at www.dtv.gov or call 1-888-225-5322.
Braille and Talking Book Collection Development
Have you ever wondered why certain books get recorded and put into braille? Who decides what makes the cut and what doesn't?
Every year, the Collection Development Section of the National Library Service for the Blind & Physically Handicapped (NLS) chooses 2,000 audio books and 600 braille books to be produced. They make their selection from over 250,000 print books that are produced every year.
NLS strives to build a collection that meets the needs of talking book library patrons by offering standard classic titles and works of popular and recreational interest. A twelve-person Collection Development Advisory Group (CDAG) meets annually to discuss collection policies and assist the NLS librarians in building a balanced collection.
Rachel Gould, Perkins Children and Youth Services Librarian, was appointed to serve on the CDAG. These librarians, four readers-at-large, and representatives from American Council of the Blind, National Federation of the Blind, and the Blinded Veterans Association traveled to Washington DC in May for the annual CDAG meeting.
The committee commended the NLS collection development staff for doing a wonderful job adding a diverse selection of books to the collection, as well as keeping up with current trends in literature. CDAG also commended NLS for working to release Digital Talking Books as quickly as possible.
To enhance the collection, the committee recommended that NLS produce more westerns, crochet books, cookbooks, books on the Civil War, and juvenile mysteries. The committee had several recommendations about the format of braille books that involved book size, material, cover information, and use of tactile graphics.
NLS produces books that have broad appeal to readers all over the country. Here at Perkins, volunteers at the Clive W. Lacy Recording Studio record local interest books and books by local authors to supplement the NLS collection.
What sort of books would you like to see recorded and put into braille? What subjects do you think are missing from the collection? Please contact the Library with your recommendations and Rachel Gould will bring your input to next year's meeting.
New DVD Service Launched
The Library is excited to announce a new service for its patrons. In addition to borrowing audio-described VHS video movies, patrons can now borrow audio described DVD movies.
Described videos provide narration of a program's key visual elements, such as characters' actions, costuming, gestures, and facial expressions. These descriptions, heard during the natural pauses in dialogue, result in a finished soundtrack that enables visually impaired viewers to fully understand the film through listening.
With technological advances happening every day, the demand for VHS videos is quickly being replaced by DVDs. VHS videos are fast becoming obsolete, and it is almost impossible to find new audio described movies in the VHS format.
So along with borrowing audio described VHS movies, patrons can also borrow audio described movies on DVD. These DVDs are used with your regular DVD player and your television. No extra equipment is required.
Any Massachusetts patron interested in registering for the DVD program can call 617-972-7418 or 1-800-852-3133 or email Vicki.Vogt@Perkins.org.
Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library
Perkins School for the Blind
175 N. Beacon Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Call 617.972.7240 or 800.852.3133
TTY 617.972.7690
Email Library@Perkins.org
Library Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 am to 5:00