Memorandum
South Dakota State Library
Braille and Talking Book Library
June 1999
Editor: Karen Knudsen
Patrons of the SD Braille & Talking Book Library
This MEMORANDUM will be our means of communication to our patrons. If you have any questions or comments you would like to address, or wish to have this memo in large print or braille, please contact Karen Knudsen.


THIS YEAR
ANONYMOUS
  • Mend a quarrel.
  • Think first of someone else.
  • Be kind and gentle.
  • Laugh a little. Laugh a little more.
  • Seek out a forgotten friend.
  • Gladden the heart of a child.
  • Write a love letter.
  • Express your gratitude.
  • Share some treasure.
  • Give a soft answer.
  • Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth.
  • Encourage youth.
  • Keep a promise.
  • Find the time.
  • Forgive an enemy.
  • Listen.
  • Apologize if you were wrong.
  • Speak your love. Speak it again. Speak it still once again.

Have a great summer from all of the staff at the SD Braille and Talking Book Library.


FROM THE DIRECTOR
Happy Birthday South Dakota Braille & Talking Book Library!

This year the South Dakota Braille & Talking Book Library is celebrating its 30th birthday.

After two years of discussions and planning the South Dakota Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped officially opened in 1969.

In the beginning the library was housed in what had been a lumberyard warehouse. The building was cold in the winter, hot in the summer and always dusty and dirty.

In the beginning the library provided service to both residents of South Dakota and North Dakota. When the library opened the library provided books on records, reel-to-reel tape, a few cassette books that were recorded at the commercial speed of 1 7/8 inches per second (ips) two track and braille. All library functions and record keeping were completed by hand.

Today the library is housed in a modern building that was designed for use as a library. The collection is now on cassettes. The cassettes are recorded on four tracks at 15/16 ips. The braille collection has been shipped to Utah and is now handled by the Utah Braille & Talking Book Library under a contract with the South Dakota Braille & Talking Book Library. All library functions are now on a computer system.

In the past thirty (30) years we have seen the library go from a manual system to an automated system, from serving two states to serving only South Dakota, from an old warehouse building to a modern library building, from books on records to books on cassette tape and the beginning of books on computer discs and the Internet.

The planning has started at National Library Service for the Blind & Physically Handicapped on the next format for recorded books and the next generation of equipment that will be needed to listen to those books.

Yes, the library has come a long ways, but we still have much to do as we continue striving toward equality in the access to information.


SELF-HELP
The American Self-Help Clearinghouse is a national non-profit organization that maintains a database of more than 800 national and one of a kind self-help groups dealing with a wide variety of issues, including: abuse, addictions, bereavement, disabilities, health, mental health, parenting and family concerns, and more than 300 rare illnesses. The clearinghouse also provides information on other self-help clearinghouses worldwide that provide local information. Services are free of charge, and can be accessed via telephone, (973) 625-9565, Mail ( with a self-addressed stamped envelope, or via the world wide web, www.mentalhelp.net/selfhelp. Their address is: American Self-Help Clearinghouse, Northwest Covenant Medical Center, Denville, N. J. 07834-2995.


CATALOG, DIRECTORIES
"The Disability Bookshop Catalog," a shop-by-mail bookstore that stocks hard-to-find titles covering a wide variety of health topics for the general public, has just published its new catalog. It has something in it for everyone: books, videos, and audio cassettes about general medical topics, pain, aging, sports, computers, technical aids, resource directories, and much more. Many of the books are in large print. To receive the catalog, send $4 for postage and handling ($5 if using a credit card) to: The Disability Bookshop, PO Box 129, Vancouver, WA 98666. The cassette version costs $8.50 postage and handling ($9.50 if using a credit card). For more information call (360) 694-2462.

"The Children's Disability Bookshop Catalog" also released a new edition. To receive it, send $5 to the address listed above. If you would like the catalog on tape, send $8 to the same address.

Also available are "Computer Resources for the Disabled" and "Directory of Travel Agencies for the Disabled." The computer book lists sources that will help when buying, financing, funding and using computers; it covers grants, programs, services, technology-related assistance, where to purchase computers at a discount, and information about companies that produce special computer-related products. It costs $19.95 plus $3.50 shipping (print or cassette version). Order it from Twin Peaks Press, PO Box 129, Vancouver, WA 98666-0129. Credit card orders only call toll free (800) 637-2256. The travel agencies book lists agents and agencies that specialize in arranging travel for disabled consumers. It lists agencies throughout the United States, Canada and the world. It costs $19.95 plus $4 shipping (Print or Tape). You may order it from the Disability Bookshop at the address above, or call (800) 637-2256.


SIDEWALKER
California Canes recently came out with the Sidewalker cane as part of its line of carbon fiber canes. Rigid canes cost $18.65; folding canes, $25. For more information call the company at (949) 489-1973, or website: www.californiacanes.com.


CHARM CITY
A new wholesale/distribution company is now open. It's called Charm City Specialities, and sells personal alarms, jewelry and other things. For more information call (877) 282-4276, or write the company at PO Box 4153, Baltimore, MD 21205.


VOICE DIARY
The Voice Diary is a full-featured, palm sized electronic organizer with 30 minutes of recording time. Features include a to-do list, phone book with multiple entries for telephone numbers and addresses, a diary/calendar, and an alarm that will remind you of when to take your medications or if your school hours are different on a certain day and allow you as many alarm settings as you want. It also includes a stopwatch, a timer, and a calculator with roots, percentages and exponentiation power. It is laid out like a telephone keypad. Voice Diary costs $249 for organizations and is available from Independent Living Aids (800) 537-2188; Innovative Rehabilitation Technology (800) 322-4784; Adaptive Technology Consulting, Inc. (978) 462-3817; and Ferguson Enterprises (605) 546-2366. Contact one of these companies for more information on cost for individuals.


NEWS YOU CAN USE
A free cassette catalog featuring all-occasion gifts, talking products, specialty items for guide dogs and items for daily living is now available by calling 760-778-8280. The "No Frills, Just Prices Right" catalog is also available on a 3.5 inch disk for $1. Their address is 3140 Cambridge Ct., Palm Springs, Ca 92264. Their web site address is http://www.onisland.com/jett. (note: web link is no longer active - 02/2006)


The announcements of new products and services in our memorandum should not be considered an endorsement of those products and services by the SD Braille and Talking Book Library. Products and services are listed free of charge for the benefit of our readers.


FREE POSTER
The Jewish Guild for the Blind is offering a free poster describing four common vision disorders as part of its National Vision Awareness Campaign. The four-color poster, measures 23 by 35 inches, illustrates how lines of print look to a person with normal vision and how that same print looks to someone who has macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts or glaucoma. People who suspect they may have one of the illustrated disorders are urged to call their eye doctor or the Guild. For a copy of the poster, write to the Public Relations Department, Jewish Guild for the Blind, 15 W. 65th St, New York, NY 10023 or call (212) 769-6237.


VOLUNTEER WEEK
April 18th-24th is National Volunteer Week. We set aside the morning of April 22nd for our volunteer recognition day. Our volunteers give many hours each year doing the talking book radio program. This involves cutting the news articles and getting them ready to be read. They also help with fixing the cassette players, plus help in other parts of the library as needed. The volunteers read magazines, textbooks (all grade levels), make calls, read the newsletter, etc. The turnout was great and they are still as enthusiastic as they were when they started years ago. I will also add that there is one lady who has been doing this for many, many years, and is now in her eighties.


NEW DESIGN
Motorola recently introduced the LS950v voice pager/answering machine, which is smaller than the previous model. This system is usable by those familiar with answering machines or voice mail systems, as well as first time users of technology. Callers simply dial the number and leave their message. The message then goes to the user's LS950v. The unit operates on a single AA battery, with lithium battery backup (included), and has a dedicated on-off button. It will be available shortly for a suggested retail price of $160. For more information, check the web site, www.motorola.com.


PHONE CARD PLUS WITH TALKING YELLOW PAGES NOW AVAILABLE:
President Maurer reports that one long-distance telephone service offers a talking yellow pages service. You can dial in to the talking yellow pages service and specify the company you are looking for. Listings in your area will be offered which can automatically dialed to ask for quotes or to do other business. Dr. Maurer dialed in "hot tub" and received twelve listings for local services.

The National Federation of the Blind receives a contribution from Phone Card Plus for each person who signs up for service. The number to use for requesting this service is (800) 365-5737.


GOOD NEWS FOR RAIL PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES
Amtrak has introduced new discounts, reservations policies and publications that will make it easier and more economical for persons with mobility impairments to explore America by rail. In addition to the longstanding 15 per cent discount for disabled persons, it has now extended it to their traveling companions, and lowered the price of accessible bedrooms and offers a 30 per cent discount on accessible bedrooms to individuals with mobility impairments.

Information on the routes and the modern trains that travel them is available in a colorful Amtrak Travel Planner which can be requested by calling (1-800-USA-RAIL),(1-800-523-6590 TDD/TTY), from a travel agent, or online at www.amtrak.com.


NEW APH BUSINESS DEPARTMENT
With renewed commitment to their customers and the desire to continue to provide quality products on a timely basis, American Printing House for the Blind, Inc. has a reorganized Business Department with the customer as their focus. Their Contract Administration Office now provides a single place to call at APH about designing, pricing and placing custom or contract orders. For further information, contact them at (502) 895-2405, 1-800-223-1839, or www.aph.org.


1999 GUIDE TO TOYS FOR BLIND CHILDREN
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and Toy Manufactures of America (TMA) have released the latest edition of Guide to Toys for Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired. There are toys and games appropriate for children all ages who are blind, have low vision or have multiple impairments that include visual impairment. It features 100 new toys with an emphasis on multimedia and interactive toys in a wide range. There is an introductory section which makes it easier for adults choosing toys to understand the selection criteria used and how to apply these criteria beyond the products appearing in the guide.

Single copies and supplies are available in full-color print or on an audio cassette free of charge by contacting AFB, 11 Penn Plaza, Suite 300, New York, New York 10001, phone 1-800-232-5463; or TMA, 200 Fifth Avenue, Room 740, New York, New York 10010 fax (212) 633-1429.


BRAILLE LABELING
Labels are most commonly made with Dymo Transparent Labeling Tape, made by 3M. It has a self-adhesive back protected with an easily removable strip and comes in a 12 foot roll. The half inch width accommodates both standard and jumbo Braille. The Braille labeling gun, as well as the Dymo tape attachment for the Perkins Braille writer, are designed for this width.
  • In the Kitchen
    You can attach Braille labels to canned gods, jars, and other packaged foods to take the uncertainty out of cooking. You can Braille your own recipes on regular Braille paper or on plastic sheets and put them in a 3 ring binder.
  • Other Household Uses
    • You can label shampoo and conditioner bottles, your different cleaning supplies, your spools of thread, different colors of yarn, some of your household appliances, such as your dishwasher, washing machine, and your dryer. Use little triangle-shaped Dymo tape to point to point to the beginning of various stages and place some identifying letters or words nearby.
    • But perhaps the most innovative labeling technique is the use of Dymo tape to mark your credit, ATM, insurance, and airline frequent flyer cards, etc. As long as you do not cover up the magnetic strip and your signature on the card, you should not experience any problems even using an ATM machine.
Of course Braille isn't the only method for keeping track of information and for identifying and labeling items. You can use tape recorders, electronic note-taking devices, and computers to store and retrieve information, and other tactile identifiers such as rubber bands, strips of tape, or raised symbols made with glue or Hi-Marks to mark items. Far from becoming obsolete, Braille continues to be a valuable self management tool.


DIFFERENT AUTHORS
If you like books by...
  • Sue Grafton
    Try books by: Linda Barnes; Susan Dunlap; Janet Evanovich; Katherine Forrest; Joan Hess; Karen Kijewski; Marcia Muller; Meg O'Brien; Sara Paretsky; Nancy Pichard; Gillian Roberts; Julie Smith; Dorothy Uhnak; Carolyn Wheat.
  • W.E.B Griffith
    Try books by: James Amos; Anthony Hyde; Nelson Demille; David Morrell; Lucian Truscott

NEW DESCRIPTIVE VIDEOS
Here's some more good news from Judy. We have some new videos.
  • Land Before Time
  • Sneakers
  • To Kill a Mockingbird
  • The Preachers Wife
  • Phenomenon
  • The Rock
  • Mr. Holland's Opus
  • Liar,Liar
  • The Jungle Book
  • Ransom
  • The English Patient
  • Lighting
  • The Little Mermaid
  • The Seduction-Matock
  • Blue Hawaii
  • Independence Day
  • Broadcast News
  • The Full Monty
  • Good Morning Vietnam
  • Unforgiven
  • Stand and Deliver
  • Hurricane
  • Scream
  • The Christmas Carol
  • The Miracle Worker
  • Singin' in the Rain
  • The Fugitive
  • Killer Quake
  • The African Queen
  • Casablanca
  • The Piano
  • Babe
  • Frozen in Time
  • 14 of the Arthur series
  • The Manhunt - Andy Griffith
  • The Heiress - Matlock
Blockbuster movies are now specially described for people who are blind or have low vision. Descriptive Video Service (DVS) carefully describes the visual elements of a movie such as the action, characters, locations, costumes and sets, without interfering with the dialogue or sound effects. To watch those movies, you need a regular VHS videocassette recorder (VCR) and a television. If you have a decoder most of the movies are also close captioned for hearing impaired viewers.

The movies are available by calling the State Library and talking with Judy or your reader advisor. You may keep a movie for up to one week, but we ask that you return it immediately after watching so that other patron has a chance. You, the patron, are responsible for payment if any damage occurs to the video.

We only have one copy of each video, but if you would like to own your own copy of the movies contact DVS Home Videos at 1-317-579-0439. DVS Home Video accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover Credit cards. Videos range in price from 9.95 to $29.99, plus shipping and handling.


ART EXHIBITS
Art of the Eye and Art of the Eye II, exhibits of art by visually impaired artists, sponsored by the Delta Gamma Foundation, are currently on tour. The schedule for Art of the Eye if you happen to be in any of these cities for this year is: Oct 1-31, 1999, Chicago, Ill; Dougherty Art Center, Austin, Texas, March 27-April 17, 1999; Triton Museum of Art in San Jose, Ca.; May 3-June 18, 1999; One Seagate, Toledo, Ohio, Oct 8-29, 1999; and at the York County Blind Center, York, Pa Nov 8-Dec9, 1999.


SUMMER READING PROGRAM
In 1998 the Summer Reading Program for children lost its private source of funding after nine successful years of the program.

The program is back this year thanks to the South Dakota Association of the Blind. SDAB took the lead and made a $500 commitment to this worthwhile program. The South Dakota Lions then came forward and agreed to provide additional funds for this year's program. The South Dakota Lions then voted at their convention to establish an endowment that will be used to fund the Summer Reading Program beginning in 2000.

The program for 1999 will run from June 21 to July 23. If you would like more information on this program please contact the Library. Connie Sullivan is in charge of this great program.


KATHY SCHREIBER, EQUIPMENT OPERATOR
As promised here is the interview with Kathy. She is another new person that we have hired. I believe in acquainting our readers with all the staff so the next newsletter will have one of the staff members that has been here for awhile. I'm not going to change much of Kathy's interview because I believe she did a pretty good job of writing it.

Hi I am Kathy Schreiber. I would like to introduce myself and to thank everyone for their patience, as I become familiar with the program. While I am not new to the disability field, 10 years in developmental disabilities area, the position as the machine agent at the Braille and Talking Book library has provided me with new challenges.

On a personal note, I am not new to South Dakota, being raised in the Pierre area. My husband and I returned to raise our children, which are now grown. Some of my hobbies are gardening, fishing and raising exotic birds.

I enjoy being part of the team of wonderful people that provide your reading needs. If you have any machine problems please call the library toll-free at 1-800-423-6665 and ask for me.
I might also add that Kathy is working with the inmates at the Women's Prison. She has the inmates now repairing National Library Services cassette players that we had a backlog of.


OVERDUE NOTICES
The Braille and Talking Book Library has started sending overdue letters. This is a new process and we started with books that the system indicated had been checked out for over a year.

When you receive the letter, if you do not have the books listed in the letter, call the library and let us know. We will delete the book(s) from your records.

Overdue letters will now be sent for books not returned after three months. Our system may indicate you have not returned a book and you do not have it.

There are many reasons that this happens. The book is returned and the address card is missing, staff forget to check the book in or a computer error causes the book to not check in.

Just let us know you no longer have the book and we will delete the book(s) from your records.

Thank you for your assistance.


FINAL REMINDER
Call or write this library if you'd like to have any aspect of your service changed. If mail is returned as "refused" magazine producers will cancel your subscriptions and we will stop sending tapes until we can reach you to find out what to do. If you want to cancel or temporarily stop your library service, call or send a note. This will help you get the service you want.

You can contact the South Dakota Braille & Talking Book Library with your questions. You may e-mail to the Reader Advisors directly and your messages will be answered the next day. Darcy Andresen's e-mail address is darcy.andresen@state.sd.us. Jerry Wagner's e-mail address is jerry.wagner@state.sd.us (note: both of these emails are no longer active. 02/2006)

Darcy Andresen, who you have gotten to know over the past year, will be leaving us sometime in May. We ask your patience in this matter as we will again have this position to fill. We are surely going to miss Darcy as she has done a wonderful job here. However, she has started her own business and it has taken off very fast for her and she has to be there full-time and not part-time as she has been doing.