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KidsNews Newsletter
South Dakota State Library
Braille and Talking Book Library
Fall 2002, Volume 5, Issue 3
Mary Sjerven, Reader Advisor
Braille and Talking Book Library
Fall 2002, Volume 5, Issue 3
Mary Sjerven, Reader Advisor
We will now be recording "Kids News" instead of mailing the large print copy to all students ages 1 to 16. However, if you prefer to still get a copy in large print or would like a braille copy, please call the Braille and Talking Book Library at 1-800-423-6665 and ask for Mary. Please be sure to reverse the mailing label and return the cassette when you have finished listening to it. If you do not return the cassette, you will not receive the next edition of the newsletter.
A Note From Dan Boyd, Director
The new school year is now underway; school lunch, football, and homework just to name a few school activities.
The library is also in the process of starting something new. The library is looking at developing some exciting after school programs.
Governors Summer Reading Program will be visiting with some of you by telephone and letter to get your thoughts on some of the programs. It should be exciting to be involved in the planning and development of library programs.
Mary has some ideas for fun library programs. Some of the programs might have prizes for winners others are just programs that will allow you to learn more about the library and all different types of books. For all of these programs books will be available in braille or recorded on cassette tape.
Some of the programs Mary might be talking with you about include a book club or a book of the month club where everyone reads the same book and then we discuss the book Other ideas might include writing contests where we give you a subject and you write a short story, or a writing contest where we give you the start and you complete the story. In the writing programs all entries would be judged and the winning stories from each age group would be produced as braille and recorded books with a copy given to you and a copy to your school library.
We look forward to getting ideas from you for other library writing programs. This is your library and with your help we can make it a fun place.
Mark Your Calendar Now!
Announcing Focus On Success II
When: March 3 to 5, 2003Individuals who are blind or visually impaired, parents, family members, students, teachers, professionals in education, rehabilitation and rehabilitation and independent living
Where: Pierre, South Dakota
Who: Everyone is welcome!
The program will address options for education, vocational rehabilitation and adult services for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
Featured Speakers:
- Carl Auguso President/CEO of the American Foundation of the Blind
- Paige Berry and Maureen McGowan Helen Keller National Center
- Jamie Humphries and Betsy Burnhams American Printing House for the Blind
- Susan LaVenture and Doug Halverson National Association for Parents of the Visually Impaired
- Joanne Wilson Commissioner, Rehabilitation Services Administration
- National Federation of the Blind
- South Dakota Association of the Blind
- South Dakota Braille and Talking Book Library
- South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Holiday Closings
The Braille and Talking Book Library will be closed the following holidays. Please plan your book orders to allow for these date.
- Thursday, November 28- Thanksgiving Day
- Friday, November 29- Day after Thanksgiving
- Wednesday, December 25- Christmas Day
- Wednesday, January 1-New Year's Day
Boy Scout and Girl Scout Manuals Available
If you are a Boy Scout or Girl Scout and would like a copy of your handbook on cassette or braille, please call the library at 1-800-423-6665.
- Boy Scout Handbook RC043342, no braille
- Boys Scout Field book RC018897, BRA14254
- Personal Finance no recorded, BRA13210
- Botany no recorded, BRA16400
- Railroad Building no recorded, BRA15411
- Hiking no recorded, BRA15852
- Astronomy no recorded, BRA06448
- Junior Girl Scout Handbook RC043337, BR10755
- Brownie Girl Scout Handbook RC043339, BR10673
- Guide for Daisy Girl Scouts RC043345, no braille
- Daisy Girl Scout Leaders' Guide RC028518, no braille
- Cadette and Senior Girl ScoutsRC028523, BR07625
- The Cadette and Sr. G. S. Guide no recorded, BR28554
- Cadette Girl Scout Handbookno recorded, BRA11424
- A Resource Book for Sr. G. S. RC050039, no braille
Frequently Asked Questions
- What do I do if my tape player sounds like it's speaking a foreign language?
We have found that either removing the tape from the machine and gently tapping it on its side or using the fast forward and rewind keys and then push play seems to help remedy the problem. - Why is it that every time I begin a new book, it always starts with side three?
When you finished your last book, you forgot to push the side selector switch down to the left before beginning your new book. Remember, the left is for sides 1 and 2. To the right for sides 3 and 4. - Why didn't you send me a replacement copy of the "bad" tape I returned?
Call, Call, Call-We are not sure of your intentions or expectations until you tell us.
"..you do not really leave a library; if you do what it wants you to do, then you are taking it with you"
- Elie Wiesel
2003 Calendars
If you are looking for a 2003 calendar in large print or Braille the following companies have them available.
- American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults
18440 Oxnard Street, Tarzana CA 91356, (818)343-2022, Or
1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore MD 21230, (410)659-9315
6 x 6 1/2 inch braille calendar. Features one page per month, a personal day page, and a listing of major holidays. Accepts orders by mail only. Free. - Braille Institute Press
741 North Vermont Avenue Los Angeles CA 90029 (323)663-1111, ext. 151 1-800-272-4553
8 3/4 x 11 inch print/braille calendar. Provided as an insert in the December issue of the Braille Mirror and the holiday issue of Expectations. A limited quantity of extras are available and can be ordered by mail or telephone. Free. - South Dakota Industries for the Blind
800 North Lake Avenue, Sioux Falls SD 57104, (605)977-1577 ext. 5 (customer service), Web site: www.sdib.org
11 x 7 inch (folder) large-print monthly calendar. Accepts, orders by mail, phone, or web site. $10.00. - American Printing House for the Blind (APH)
P.O. Box 608, Louisville KY 40206-0085, (502)895-2405, 1-800-223-1839, Web site: sun1.aph.org/products
- 8 1/2 x 11 inch large-print/braille sixteen-month AOH, InSights Art calendar. Features selected art from the, AOH juried competition. Accepts orders by mail or, telephone. English edition, catalog #5-19071-02. $6.50
- 2 x 3 1/2 inch (business card size) Braille pocket, calendar. Allows a braille user to track dates for an entire, year. JaJo Braille Pocket Calendar. Catalog #1-18990-02., $2.00
Since 1986 Descriptive Video Services has been applying the art of describing visual images for people who are blind or visually impaired. Through an innovative Emmy Award-winning technique, narrated descriptions of visual elements- actions, costumes, gestures and scene changes-are woven into the pauses of films soundtrack.
To watch these movies and hear the descriptions, you only need a regular VHS videocassette recorder (VCR) and a television. No special feature or device is needed.
- DVS00033 Beauty and the Beast
- DVS00056 Lion King
- DVS00165 Jungle Book
- DVS00266 Toy Store II
One Millionth Cassette Machine
Late last year the one millionth C-1 cassette book machine was produced at the Telex factory in Blue Earth, Minnesota. The machine was developed in the late 1970's by the Library of Congress and was first produced in large quantities in 1982. This yellow cassette player has been the mainstay of the talking books program for over 20 years. While it has been improved over the years, its basic design has not been modified.
Tall Tales
Taken from: "Three Rivers News Junior" Pennsylvania Braille & Talking Book Library
We've all heard of the Grand Canyon and how it was cut by the mighty Colorado River. This may be true, but to some folks, the canyon was really made by the legendary lumberjack Paul Bunyan as he dragged his huge ax along the ground. Tall tales are the myths that people told about these larger-than-life characters. Whether real or imaginary, these people led lives that could only be told in fantastic stories.
And stories, oh what stories! Listen youngsters pull up a seat. I'm going to tell you stories that will curl the nails right off your toes. Have you ever heard about Pecos Bill, the greatest cowboy of all? Bill not only walked a hundred miles with his horse around his neck, he also caught and saddled a mountain lion. And when Texas was dry, he just up and caught himself a cyclone by it's ears and drained all the water out of it. Some man that Bill!
And then there's Annie Oakley. Well, she was such a good shot, she could shoot the cork out of a bottle from over a mile away. Oh, and John Henry, a giant of a steel-driven' man, could lay railroad track and out-drill even a steam-powered machine with his fourteen-pound sledgehammer.
Casey Jones himself sat right there where you're sittin' and told me how he practically ran a whole railroad by himself.
But listen, I can't tell you all the stories. You'll just haveto borrow some of the books you see yonder to find out more about these American legends. Tall tales? Please don't get me started! Here are a few to enjoy:
- American Tall Tales (RC035612) For grades 3 to 6
- Larger than Life: The Adventures of American (RC038170) For grades 3 to 6
- Legendary Heroes (RC038170) For grades 3 to 6
SLATE PALS
Slate Pals is a pen pal program for braille reading students who want to write and receive braille letters from other students. Students can specify the quality, age range, and the gender preference of prospective slate pals. The program is sponsored by the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children. More information is available on the web at: www.nfb.org/slatepal.htm. You may also write to: Slate Pals, 5817 North Nian, Chicago IL 60631 or email: dkent5817@worldnet.att.net.
Have You Got An Idea?
Taken from: "Three Rivers News Junior" Pennsylvania Braille & Talking Book Library
Someone once said, "Necessity is the mother of invention." That means that needing something will inspire someone to find a way to fill that need. It may be true in most cases, but not always. Did you know that popsicles were "invented" when someone accidentally left soda pop on his back porch one cold night? We also tend to see inventors as women and men busily running around in white lab coats trying to come up with the perfect.. whatever. But just like the example above, that picture isn't necessarily true either. Kids have invented their fair share of things too! Actually it was an eleven-year-old boy who invented the popsicle!
The Library has a number of books about kids who have earned their white lab coats. Check out the list below.
- Brainstorm! The Story of 20 American Kid Inventors (RC041819) For grades 5 to 8
- Girls Think of Everything (RC052628) For grades 4 to 7
- The Kid Who Invented the Popsicle (RC046619) For grades 4 to 7
- The Kid Who Invented the Trampoline (RC054135) For grades 4 to 7
Need More Books?
Are you traveling and want to take extra books with you? Do you have some unexpected free time when you will have the opportunity to read more books than usual? Contact the Braille and Talking Book Library at 1-800-423-6665 and request extra books. During the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday when you are not in school would be the perfect time to read a good novel.
After that time period, we will resume sending the amount of books you normally receive.
Did you Know?
Sometimes patrons mistakenly order books they have already read. If you don't want us to send these books to you, tell us. Occasionally a book is so good that you want to read it again!
KidsNews
KidsNews, published quarterly, is our means of communication with the younger patrons of the Braille and Talking Book Library. KidsNews is available in braille, on cassette or on a diskette upon request and is posted on our website: www.sdstatelibrary.com/talkbook
If you have any questions or comments you would like to address, or wish to request this newsletter in alternative format, please contact the Braille and Talking Book Library.
The South Dakota Braille and Talking Book Library does not endorse any product or service listed in this newsletter.