KidsNews Newsletter
South Dakota State Library
Braille and Talking Book Library
Spring 2002, Volume 5, Issue 1
Mary Sjerven, Reader Advisor

A Note from Dan Boyd, Director
The Library has added a new and exciting service for you. Our complete catalog of books on cassette is not on the Internet.

Using this catalog you can search for books you would like to read. You can search by author, title, and subject. You can search for books using the annotation. The annotation is a short paragraph about the book. Using the annotation you could search for the book "Three Little Pigs" by using the words big bad wolf if that was all you remembered about the book.

If you like the sound of a certain narrator's voice or just like the way they read the book you can search by their name and find other books they have narrated.

For those of you who are going to enter our summer reading program this year you can order your books using this catalog.

Once you have found the books you want to read you can order them by adding the book numbers to your request list. Using this catalog you will always know the latest titles that have been added to the collection.

All you need to use this catalog is a computer with access to the Internet. The computer that you use can be at home, at school, or at the public library.

Call the South Dakota Braille and Talking Book Library and ask to speak with your Reader Advisor. The Reader Advisor will explain how to use the catalog and give you a password that will allow you to order books.

Try using this catalog and then call the library and tell your Reader Advisor if you liked using it.


How many books in our Collection?
  • We have 38,000 titles in the recorded cassette (RC) collection with multiple copies of each title.
  • There are 180,000 volumes
  • We circulate over 100,000 books and magazines per year.
  • 350 to 450 books go out per day and 350 to 450 are returned to be inspected and shelved
  • We have 4, 300 patrons

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen nor even touched, but just felt in the heart."
Helen Keller


Descriptive Video
In this issue we will feature family and children's classics. Please keep in mind that you may order no more than two at a time and keep them for one week. The videos are available on a first come, first serve basis. If you would like a current video give us a call at 1-800-423-6665.
  • DVS0015 Alice in Wonderland
  • DVS00059 Aladdin
  • DVS00053 Casper
  • DVS00198 Babe
  • DVS00104 Beethoven
  • DVS00233 The Wizard of Oz

New Online Catalog Available
In our Winter issue of the newsletter we talked about our catalog, "For Younger Readers". In his column, "A Note from the Director", Dan Boyd explained the online catalog and the many ways you can search for a book. This site is at talkbook.sdstatelibrary.com. Special care has been taken to make the site accessible for most assistive technology. Anyone can check the Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC). One does not have to be a library patron to check to see if the library has a certain item. However, only active patrons of the Braille and Talking Book Program with a User ID and a Password may order books. Please call your reader advisor at 1-800-423-6665 to get this information.


Recommended Reading
How about a good mystery book to read during your Easter vacation? Two popular series are "The Hardy Boys" and "Nancy Drew Mysteries". If you have a favorite mystery author, please call the Braille and Talking Book Library and we can tell you if we have books recorded or Brailled. You may also do an author search or a title search on on Internet site, talkbook.sdstatelibrary.com

The Hardy Boys by Franklin W. Dixon
  • Mystery of Smugglers Cove RC030627, no Braille
  • Tagged for Terror RC038443, BR009694
  • Mystery of the Desert Giant RC046090, no Braille
  • The Hardy Boys: The Tower Treasure RC051783, no Braille
  • The Number File RC030463, BR008053
  • Nightmare in Angel City RC031529, no Braille
  • The Hardy Boys Casefiles RC051408, BR013318
  • Shield of Fear RC030615, no Braille
Nancy Drew Mysteries by Carolyn Keene
  • The Bungalow Mystery RC050916, BR012808
  • The Hidden Staircase RC050915, no Braille
  • The Secret of Red Gate Farm RC051719, BRA04391
  • Choosing Sides RC03848, BR09688
  • The Secret of Shadow Ranch RC051960, BR012944
  • The Mystery at Lilac Inn RC051960, BR012943
  • The Secrets of the Old Clock RC050914, BR012806
  • Trial by Fire RC028496, no Braille

Keep Swimming
Two frogs fell into a deep cream bowl. One was an optimistic soul., but the other took the gloomy view. "We'll drown," he lamented without ado. And with a last despairing cry, He flung up his legs and said "Goodbye."

Quote the other frog with a steadfast grin, "I can't get out but I won't give in, I'll just swim around until my strength is spent, then I'll die the more content."

Bravely he swam to work his scheme, and his struggles began to churn the cream. The more he swam, his legs a flutter, The more the cream turned into butter.

On top of the butter at last he stopped.

What is the moral? It's easily Found. If you can't hop out, keep swimming around!

-Author Unknown


Happy Easter!
Spring Into Reading!


Braille Books
We have just added books about different U.S. states. Each title provides an overall view of the state, including its people and living conditions. If you would like to order one of these titles, please call the Braille and Talking Book Library at 1-800-423-6665.
  • Utah by Patricia Kummer - SBR00680
  • North Dakota by Patricia Kummer - SBR00681
  • Nebraska by Capstone Press Geography Department - SBR00687
  • Washington, D.C. by Patricia Kummer - SBR00716
  • South Dakota by Patricia Kummer - SBR00690
  • Kansas by Patricia Kummer - SBR00693
  • Wyoming by Patricia Kummer - SBR00696
  • Colorado by Capstone Press Geography Department - SBR00698
  • Iowa by Patricia Kummer - SBR00697
  • Mississippi by Patricia Kummer - SBR00699

For The Younger Reader
Spring will soon be here. That means the Easter Bunny will be coming, flowers will be appearing, and grass will be turning green. This would be a good time to read about the season. If you would like to order one of these books, please call the Braille and Talking Book Library at 1-800-423-6665.
  • Gather Up, Gather In: A Book Of Seasons By M.C. Helldorfer - RC040477
    Autumn is a time to gather in the harvest, the children for school, and the Winter slips in and hides secrets beneath the snow, and autumn's harvest is used up. Then spring spills down the mountainside with wind and rain and flowers. But summer is round with trees, ponds, and Ferris wheels till autumn twirls back in. For preschool to grade two.
  • The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Anderson - RC048266
    A mother duck is disappointed when the extra-large egg she has been sitting on opens, and a big, awkward chick tumbles out. The poor bird gets teased by everyone because he looks so different. But the next spring, he gets a big surprise when he sees himself in the water. For preschool to grade two.
  • Arthur's Camp-Out by Lillian Hoban - RC050942
    Arthur is bored with spring vacation. When his little sister is invited to a camp out in the woods behind their house, Arthur decides to go on an overnight field trip by himself. But, it's pretty scary out there! An easy chapter book. For kindergarten to grade three.
  • Bently and Egg by William Joyce - RC036650
    Bently, a shy, singing frog, would do anything for his best friend Kack Dack the duck-even take care of her silly egg while she goes to visit her sister. From boredom, Bently who also likes to draw, paints the egg and it is immediately snatched by a boy who mistakes it for an Easter Egg. For grades kindergarten to three.

Kid's Korner
This column is for you, our readers. We would like to hear from you! The article features our reader's interests. If a teacher would like to recommend a student please give us a call. You may be featured in our next "Kids News". Please call 1-800-423-6665 and ask for Mary Sjerven.

Callie Palmquist
  • Parents: Glen and Glenda Palmquist
  • School you attend: Doland School, Doland South Dakota
  • Last Book Read: "Riding the School Bus"
  • Favorite Subject in school: Social Studies
  • Best part of summer vacation: Fireworks at Mt. Rushmore on July 3rd and camping in the Black Hills

Summer Reading Program
The theme of the our 2002 Summer Reading Program is "Join the Winner's Circle-Read!". This program is open to students ages seven to fifteen who are registered with the Braille and Talking Book Library. Information will be going out in April to the schools and students. The program is available in recorded book and braille format. We have three age divisions: 7 to 9 year olds, 10 to 12 year olds and 13 to 15 year olds. This is an excellent opportunity for you to select your own books and compete for first place. There are first, second, and third place winners in each format. All participants receive prizes for registering. You will be receiving a letter with complete details and a registration form.


From Our Magazine Catalog
The following magazines are featured in this issue. If you would like to subscribe to any of them, please call the Braille and Talking Book Library at 1-800-423-6665.

Cassette Magazines
  • Young Adult Magazine of the Month Special NLS program designed to provide a limited substitue for newsstand browsing for young adults; readers are sent a different sample magazine each month.
  • Teen People Articles about celebrities, entertainment, and real-life issues; beauty, fashion, and style.
Braille Magazines
  • Muse Science, art, archaeology, and history activities for ages six to fourteen; includes contests and book and media review.
  • Seventeen Beauty and fashion for young women; articles on careers, education, family, social relations, and diet.

Harry Potter Books
Since Harry Potter has recently been made into a movie you may be interested in reading the complete set of books.
  • Book 1 Harry Potter and the Sorcers's Stone - RC047260 - BR011879
  • Book 2 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - RC048437 - BR012276
  • Book 3 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - RC048772 - SBR00731
  • Book 4 Harry Pottter and the Goblet of Fire - RC050228 - SBR00678

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.