KidsNews Newsletter
South Dakota State Library
Braille and Talking Book Library
Winter 2006, Volume 1, Issue 3
Editor: Karen Duenwald
pdf download
Notes from the Director - Dan Boyd
The big news at the SD State Library is the change in the mission of the library. The SD State Library is going to return to providing the services it was originally established to provide. When the SD State Library was originally established by the legislature its mission was to be the research library for state government and the library for public libraries in South Dakota.

These changes will have very little impact on SD Braille & Talking Book Library patrons. You will still receive recorded books, braille books plus textbooks in braille, large print and audio from the SD State Library, Braille & Talking Book Program. The only change that will impact the SD Braille & Talking Book Library will be the changes in the circulation of large print books. Many of you along with nursing homes, assisted living centers and senior centers have been receiving a quantity of large print books direct from the SD State Library every few weeks. This service will be discontinued on December 29, 2006.

In early 2007 the large print book collection at the SD State Library will be disbursed to public libraries around the state. Each public library will decide if they want to participate in the new large print book program and the number of books they want. These libraries will then form circuits (based on the number of large print books they receive). The circuits will be comprised of six libraries and they will receive a different collection of large print books from one of the other libraries in the circuit every two months.

Most public libraries already have a large print book collection. The books from the circuit will be in addition to their collection. You will now be able to receive large print books from your local public library rather than waiting for books from the Braille & Talking Book Library in Pierre. Your local public library will have a larger collection of large print books and will also be able to borrow large print books for you from other public libraries in South Dakota.

I would encourage you to visit your local public library and talk to them about your need for large print books. Talk to your library about the type of large print books you enjoy reading and the number of books you read on a monthly average. If your community does not have a public library, call the SD State Library and talk with us about other options that might be available to you.

If you have a library card from the SD State Library (the one you used to borrow large print books) this card will still provide you access to many electronic databases at the SD State Library. If you have any questions or concerns about the changes please give us a call at 1-800-423-6665.


Important!!
Remember to return any or all books, including textbooks, or extra machines to the Braille and Talking Book Library when you have finished. Others may be waiting for the chance to enjoy them also.


Taking care of your battery...
Taking care of your battery can be easy and will guarantee the battery a longer life. When first receiving a new cassette player, find the electrical cord which is located at the very back of the machine. Make sure you charge the cassette player for at least 12 hours, use the machine until the battery runs down (after about 6 hours of use), and then charge it again for 12 hours. The battery will then be charged enough to use with or without the machine being plugged into an electrical outlet.

Do not remove the battery from the machine. This is a nickelcadmium battery that contains toxic materials that are hazardous if not used or disposed of properly. If you suspect that the player isn't working because of a battery problem, or any other, call us at 1-800-423-6665 and we will advise you.


Keeping up with you and your account
Please keep you account information up to date. If any of the following information changes, we need to change the corresponding information on your account. Otherwise, your account may be suspended because we cannot contact you or your books are being returned to us as undeliverable.
  • Name
  • Address
  • Phone Number
  • Email address
  • Contact person
  • Person authorized to act on your behalf

Descriptive Videos (DVS)
The following Descriptive Videos are the newest to arrive:
  • DVS 00486 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
    Based on the classic novel by CS Lewis. Four London children are sent to a professor's country home for protection during World War II. There they find a magic wardrobe which leads to a mystical land called Narnia, which is being ruled by an evil witch. To defeat the Witch, they must join forces with Aslan, lion God of Narnia. "PG"

  • DVS 00487 Signs
    In Bucks County, Pennsylvania, a five hundred foot crop circle is found on the farm of Graham Hess, the town's reverend. The circles cause a media frenzy and test Hess's faith as he journeys to find out the truth behind the crop circles. "PG-13"


New Books about Renowned Individuals
  • RC 62038 Gorilla Doctors: Saving Endangered Great Apes by: Pamela S. Turner.
    For grades 3-6. 2005. Discusses the ongoing efforts to foil poachers as well as Dian Fossey's work to preserve the species and its environment.

  • RC 62029 Portraits of African-American Heroes by: Tonya Bolden.
    For grades 4-7. 2003. Profiles of twenty African Americans whose talents changed the United States. Includes abolitionist Frederick Douglass, Arctic explorer Matthew Henson, daredevil aviatrix Bessie Coleman, Supreme Court judge Thurgood Marshall, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, and master trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, among many others.

  • RC 61261 Before Columbus: The Leif Eriksson Expedition by: Elizabeth Cody Kimmel.
    For grades 3-6. 2003. Biography of Leif Eriksson, son of Norseman Erik the Red. Describes his expedition - five hundred years before Christopher Columbus's famous journey - during which he led a group of Vikings to the shores of North America.

  • RC 60902 The Revolutionary John Adams by: Cheryl Harness.
    For grades 3-6. 2003. A biography of the second president of the U.S. Describes Adam's activities in the Second Continental Congress, his role in the American Revolution, and his respect for patriotic duty above all else.

  • RC 60235 Daniel Boone by: James Daugherty.
    For grades 4-7 and older. 1939. Newbery Medal. Biography that describes the call of the West that led Daniel Boone to Kentucky and eventually to Missouri. Discusses his enjoyment of the wilderness, the company of Indians, and pioneering experiences.

  • RC 59709 Ferdinand Magellan and the Discovery of the World Ocean by: Rebecca Stefoff.
    For grades 5-8. 1990. Biography of the sixteenth-century Portuguese sea captain who commanded the first expedition that sailed around the world, thus proving the Earth was round. Introductory essay by astronaut Michael Collins.

  • RC 59696 Madam President by: Catherine Thimmesh.
    For grades 4-7. 2004. Brief biological sketches of women in politics. Stresses the achievements and importance of twenty-three women and includes accompanying quotations. Profiles Abigail Adams, Eleanor Roosevelt, Sandra Day O'Connor, and Margaret Thatcher, among many others.

  • RC 59399 Jack: The Early Years of John F. Kennedy by: Ilene Cooper.
    For grades 5-8. 2003. A biography covering the boyhood years of Jack Kennedy, who later became thirty-fifth president of the U.S. Describes his growing up in a wealthy Catholic family, his chronic health problems, school experience, and youthful escapades.

  • RC 59217 Helen Keller: Out of a Dark and Silent World by: Sandra H. Schichtman.
    For grades 2-4. 2002. A biography of the deaf and blind woman who became an internationally celebrated speaker, writer, and advocate for people with disabilities.

  • RC 59195 They Called Her Molly Pitcher by: Anne Rockwell.
    For grades 2-4. 2002. A brief biography of Mary "Molly" Hays who, in 1778 during the Revolutionary War, followed her husband into battle at Monmouth, NJ.

  • RC 58728 The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights by: Russell Freedman.
    For grades 6-9 and older. 2004. Recounts the life of African American singer Marian Anderson and her "once-in-a-hundred-years" voice. Highlights Anderson's successful 1939 Lincoln Memorial performance for 75,000 000 fans.

  • RC 58211 Rabble Rousers: Twenty Women Who Made a Difference by: Cheryl Harness.
    For grades 3-6. 2003. Brief biographies of twenty American women "who dared to try to change the world". Includes abolitionist Sojourner Truth, women's suffrage champion Susan B. Anthony, and civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer.

  • RC 57882 Frederick Banting and the Discovery of Insulin by: John Bankston.
    For grades 4-7. 2002. Biography of a Canadian doctor (1891-1941), whose medical research led to the use of insulin as a treatment for diabetes. He received a Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1923 and shared the award money with an associate.


New Fiction Books for Junior & Senior High Readers
  • RC 59388 Jacob Have I Loved by: Katherine Paterson.
    Newbery Medal Winner. 1980. Louise has always lived in the shadow of her beautiful twin sister on a tiny Chesapeake Bay island. Tomboy Louise grows up hating delicate Caroline, who robs her of her friends, her hopes for schooling, and even the boy she loves.

  • RC 60586 Now Picture This: Sierra Jensen, Book 9 by: Robin Jones Gunn.
    1998. As relatives gather at the Jensen household for Thanksgiving, Sierra wants privacy to reflect on Paul's recent letter. Sierra avoids the chaos by dreaming of being Paul's girlfriend, but then she begins to wonder if it's OK with God to ignore her family.

  • RC 61458 Autobiography of My Dead Brother by: Walter Dean Myers.
    2005. Childhood friends Jesse and Rise are growing apart. While fifteen-year-old Jesse develops his interest in art, Rise turns to the Harlem streets under pressure to be cool. When their long-established neighborhood social group becomes a gang, more violence enters their community. Violence.

  • RC 61585 The Truth-Teller's Tale by: Sharon Shinn.
    2005. Seventeen-year-old twins Eleda, who can tell only the truth, and Adele, who can't reveal others' secrets, are sorely tested by a new pair of dancing instructors who aren't who they seem. Romance and mistaken identity challenge the twins' special gifts.

  • RC 62117 Son of the Mob by: Gordon Korman.
    2002. Seventeen-year-old Vince Luca's father is the head of the local crime organization. Problems arise when Vince falls in love with Kendra Bightly, an FBI agent's daughter. And it's Kendra's father who's wiretapping Vince's house. Some strong language.


New Mystery Books Have Arrived!
  • RC 57876 The Surfing Corpse by: Paul Zindel.
    For grades 4-7. 2001.

  • RC 59089 Uncovering Sadie's Secrets: A Bianca Balducci Mystery by: Libby Sternberg.
    For grades 6-9 & older. 2003.

  • RC 59181 The E-Mail Murders: A.P.C. Hawke Mystery by: Paul Zindel.
    For grades 4-7. 2001.

  • RC 59433 Peril in the Bessledorf Parachute Factory: A Bessledorf Hotel Mystery by: Phyllis Reynolds Naylor.
    For grades 4-7. 1999.

  • RC 59436 The Mystery of the Mummy's Curse: A Boxcar Children Mystery by: Gertrude Chandler Warner.
    For grades 3-6. 2002.

  • RC 59437 Ghost Light on Graveyard Shoal: American Girl History Mysteries by: Elizabeth McDavid Jones.
    For grades 4-7. 2003.

  • RC 59438 Bernie Magruder and the Disappearing Bodies: A Bessledorf Hotel Mystery by: Phyllis Reynolds Naylor.
    For grades 4-7. 1986.

  • RC 59443 The Stuffed Bear Mystery: A Boxcar Children Mystery by: Gertrude Chandler Warner.
    For grades 3-6. 2002.

  • RC 59445 The Mystery at Skeleton Point: A Boxcar Children Mystery by: Gertrude Chandler Warner.
    For grades 3-6. 2002.

  • RC 59689 The Midnight Mystery: A Boxcar Children Mystery by: Gertrude Chandler Warner.
    For grades 3-6. 2003.

  • RC 60053 The Ice Cream Mystery: A Boxcar Children Mystery by: Gertrude Chandler Warner.
    For grades 3-6. 2003.

  • RC 60058 The Black Widow Spider Mystery: Boxcar Children Mysteries by: Gertrude Chandler Warner.
    For grades 3-6. 2003. Volume 1, Issue 3 Page 9

  • RC 60220 Desperate Measures: Jennie McGrady Mystery, Book 11 by: Patricia H. Rushford.
    For grades 6-9. 1998.

  • RC 61305 Finding the Forger: A Bianca Balducci Mystery by: Libby Sternberg.
    For grades 6-9. 2004.

  • RC 61373 Down the Rabbit Hole: An Echo Falls Mystery by: Kristin Allison.
    For grades 6-9. 2005.

  • RC 61508 The Black Jacket Mystery: A Trixie Belden Mystery by: Kathryn Kenny.
    For grades 4-7. 1961.

  • RC 61554 The Specter from the Magician's Museum: A Lewis Barnavelt Mystery by: Erik Sandvold.
    For grades 4-7. 1998.

  • RC 61594 Nightmare Academy: The Veritas Project, Book 2 by: Frank Peretti.
    For junior & senior high readers. 2002.

  • RC 61812 The Sword That Cut the Burning Grass: A Samurai Mystery by: Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler.
    For grades 6-9. 2005.

  • RC 62363 The Lost Princess of Oz by: Frank L. Baum.
    For grades 4-7. 1917.


Student Aid Available
The U.S. Department of Education office has a variety of information resources available for blind and visually impaired students considering enrolling in or currently enrolled in education beyond high school. An audio guide is available at www.studentaid.ed.gov. It contains information on eligibility, notification, loan repayments and deferments as well as information on non-federal sources of aid. Other print guides are available online at this same site through the use of a screen reader. The braille version can be ordered by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243.


RFB&D's 2007 National Achievement Awards
Applications are now available for RFB&D's 2007 National Achievement Awards (NAAs) - our annual program for college seniors with visual impairments and high school seniors with learning disabilities.

Since 1959, RFB&D has recognized college seniors who are blind or visually impaired for their extraordinary leadership, scholarship, enterprise and service to others. In 1990, the awards were named the Mary P. Oenslager Scholastic Achievement Awards (SAAs) to reflect the generosity of their late founder, who endowed the program with a gift of $1 million. The SAAs are presented to nine seniors at four-year US colleges or universities who are blind or visually impaired.

The Marion Huber Learning Through Listening® (LTL®) awards are presented to six high school seniors with learning disabilities. The LTL awards are the first national awards presented to high school seniors with learning disabilities to recognize extraordinary leadership, scholarship, enterprise and service to others. These awards were established in 1990 to continue in perpetuity through the generosity of the late Marion Huber, a longtime RFB&D donor.

Awards totaling more than $50,000 are available. Previous winners have been honored at the White House. Learn more about last year's SAA winners at www.rfbd.org/NAASAA2005.htm; the stories of last year's LTL recipients can be found at www.rfbd.org/NAALTL2005.htm.

Applicants need to have been active RFB&D members for at least one year, up to and including the period of March 1, 2006 - March 1, 2007, and have borrowed at least one RFB&D book during that time (individually or through a school).

The deadline for the 2007 awards is March 1, 2007.

For information on the additional eligibility criteria for each award or to download an award application, visit our accessible website at www.rfbd.org/applications_awards.htm or call toll-free 866-RFBD-585 (866-732-3585).

© 2006, Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, Incorporated. All rights reserved.


Perkins Panda
Have fun listening and learning with a Perkins Panda! A Perkins Panda Kit includes a stuffed panda with a backpack and three packets (Belly Button, Doing, Doing, Doing, and Perkins Goes Out), each with a storybook, an activity guide and a cassette. The storybooks feature uncontracted braille, large print, and high-contrast illustrations.

The Perkins Panda Program is designed to teach fundamental early literacy skills to blind and visually impaired children ages 0-8. Visit the Perkins Panda webpage at www.perkinspanda.org, call 877-473-7546, or email MyStuff@Perkins.org for more info.


Holiday Closing
The Braille and Talking Book Library will be closed on the following holidays:
  • Martin Luther King Day - January 15, 2007
  • President's Day - February 19, 2007



The Kid's News, published quarterly, is our means of communication with the younger patrons of the Braille and Talking Book Library. The Kid's News is available in braille, on cassette, in large print, 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 an alternative format, please contact the Braille and Talking Book Library.

The SD Braille & Talking Book Library does not endorse any service or product listed in this newsletter.