KidsNews Newsletter
South Dakota State Library
Braille and Talking Book Library
Fall 2006, Volume 1, Issue 2
Editor: Karen Duenwald
Notes from the Director - Dan Boyd
Changes in Audio Books
Since the 1970's analog cassettes have enabled the South Dakota Braille & Talking Book Library to deliver reliable educational and entertaining books and magazines to people who are unable to read standard print. This technology continues to work, but now it's time for something new. National Library Service for the Blind & Physically Handicapped (NLS) has found the answer in technology unavailable thirty years ago.

Beginning in 2008 digital talking books will be the "next generation" available to our patrons. NLS will use digital technology to enhance the quality of the audio book. Users can easily navigate through a book. Sound quality will improve. Less handling will be required, and that's only the beginning.

The framework for the new audio talking book will be flash memory. A digital talking book (DTB) will resemble a credit card, only slightly larger.

This one credit card sized memory cartridge will be capable of holding a complete book. These cartridges will be labeled in Braille and large print.

What are the benefits of flash memory digital talking books? For our library users the improved sound quality, fewer items to keep track of and no need to flip a switch for the next side during playback. One of the most exciting features of the digital talking book is the reader's ability to easily navigate through the book.

All books will include a basic level of navigation that allows the reader to jump to various chapters and sections of a book. The navigation capabilities will vary with the type of book, for example, fiction and non-fiction will have the basic navigation.

Reference and educational books will have additional navigation options. The new playback equipment will be easier to use with less buttons and switches. The playback equipment will be lighter in weight and smaller for greater portability.

Libraries are also excited about this new audio book. Flash memory books will require less space for storage of collections, the memory cards can be used many times, and the new playback equipment will be more compact, lightweight and durable. The playback equipment will have fewer moving parts and require fewer repairs.

Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFBD)
Changes are also being made in the audio textbooks that are ordered from RFBD. Beginning with the 2006-2007 school year textbooks ordered from RFBD will be available on CD. This decision was made because of advances in technology and for the convenience of the students using the materials. The ordering of audio textbooks will still follow the same process. Orders will be sent to the SDB&TBL for processing/ordering. If the book is not available from RFBD we will borrow it from another source. At this time other sources will still be using cassettes including the SDB&TBL. If unavailable on cassette, you will need to purchase a CD player from RFBD to play their available CD textbooks.

Additional information will be provided at a later date.


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.


Congratulations to the 2005-2006 Prairie Bud and Prairie Pasque Winners!
  • The Diary of a Worm, written by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Harry Bliss, is the winner of the 2006 Prairie Bud Award.

  • Spy Cat by Peg Kehret is the winner of the 2006 Prairie Pasque Award.

Sponsored by the South Dakota Library Association, South Dakota Children's Book Awards encourage students in grades K-6 to read, and vote for, their favorite book of the year. The Prairie Bud Award is designed for students in grades K-3, while the Prairie Pasque Award targets fourth, fifth, and sixth graders. Children who read at least five titles at their grade level from the list qualify to vote. Both awards are based on the votes of SD students.


The Braille Bug® - on the AFB web site
"The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) created the Braille BugŪ web site to teach sighted children about braille, and to encourage literacy among all children. AFB-a national nonprofit founded in 1921 and the organization to which Helen Keller devoted more than 40 years of her life-expands possibilities for children and adults with vision loss."
- American Foundation for the Blind
Go to the following URL to visit the Braille Bug® web site. There is something for everyone.


2006 Governors Summer Reading Program
The 2006 Governors Summer Reading Program culminated with an awards program for the six first place winners on August 5, 2006. The program was held in Aberdeen at the SD School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. The winners and their families were provided a pizza luncheon followed by the presentation of awards.

The Zooman from Adrian Minnesota presented a very educational and fun hands-on reptile program. The day concluded with a trip to Storybook Land.

The theme of the program was "Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales. There were fifty-two students participating with 398 books circulating. The program ran from June 12 to July 21, 2006.

Winners in their age division include: Division 7, 8 and 9 Recorded Books; Jordan Harkless, first place, second place went to Emily Busch and Wyatt Buntrock took third. The braille division first place went to Rachel Johnson. Sarah Dolney was first place winner in the Division 10, 11 and 12, followed by Rachael Jorgensen, second place and Mackenzie Yordy took third. Michael McMillen won first place in the braille division. Division 13, 14 and 15 recorded first place went to Stephanie Moran, Shawn Hauck took second and third went to Callie Palmquist. Analis Dannen took first place in the braille division. A $50 Savings Bond was presented to the top readers overall in the recorded and in braille format. These winners were Stephanie Moran for 55 recorded books read and the braille winner was Analis Dannen for 48 braille books.

All participants are registered with the S.D. Braille and Talking Book Library and are required to read braille or recorded books only.


Descriptive Videos (DVS)
We currently have about 480 descriptive videos in our collection. These videos contain narration between the scripted dialogue to describe the action for visually impaired viewers.

We lend only 2 DVS to each person at a time; and, the loan period is one week - we have limited copies of each title.

We will only send you a video if you contact your reader advisor with a request each time ordering. If you have a list of requests sent to us, we can send one DVS to you from your list each time you send one DVS back to the library.

The newest acquired descriptive videos at the library are:
  • DVS 00470 The Producers PG-13
  • DVS 00471 Cheaper By The Dozen 2 PG
  • DVS 00473 Date Movie PG-13
  • DVS 00477 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory PG
  • DVS 00478 Batman Begins PG-13
  • DVS 00479 The Polar Express G
  • DVS 00480 Cinderella Man PG-13
  • DVS 00482 Fever Pitch PG-13
  • DVS 00483 Fantastic 4 PG-13
  • DVS 00484 Mr. & Mrs. Smith PG-13
  • DVS 00485 Herbie Fully Loaded G

New Books Have Arrived! If you have interest in books containing topics of military, politics, and/or war, then you will hopefully enjoy the following new books:
  • RC 60749 Willow Run by Laura Giannarelli
    During World War II, eleven-year-old Meggie moves with her parents to Willow Run, Michigan, where her father has a job in the B-24 bomber factory. Meggie learns about various kinds of bravery from the many people there. Companion to Lily's Crossing (RC 45659). Fiction for grades 5-8 and older. 2005.

  • RC 59448 The Journal of Patrick Seamus Flaherty: United States Marine Corps by Neil Berman
    In his journal 18 year-old marine enlistee Patrick Flaherty of Boston records his 1967 arrival in Vietnam, the war's brutal conditions, and his participation in the siege of Khe Sanh. Fiction for grades 5-8 and older. 2002.

  • RC 61398 Life under the Taliban by Ken Kliban
    Describes Afghanistan's history, the late-1980s post-Soviet rise of the Taliban - a student group trained in military arts and rigid Islamic fundamentalism - and conditions under its rule. Examines US retaliation against the Taliban for harboring masterminds of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorism, and the regime's fall. Non-fiction for grades 6-9 and older. 2005.

  • RC 60729 Remember D-Day: The Plan, the Invasion, Survivor Stories by Frank Coffee
    Overview of the Allied strategy for military operations on the beaches of Normandy in France on June 6, 1944, known as D-Day. Describes the largest amphibious invasion ever, Operation Doublecross, the tremendous loss of life, and the day's historical significance. Non-fiction for grades 5-8 and older. 2004.

  • RC 61583 Ten Thousand Days of Thunder: A History of the Vietnam War by Ted Stoddard
    Overview of the Vietnam conflict by the Pulitzer Prize-winning former soldier. Presents background information on communism and the United States' involvement in Vietnam. Discusses the war's chief participants and key battles and chronicles the changing political and social climate of 1960's and 1970's America. Non-fiction for grades 6-9 and older. 2005.

  • RC 61214 Understanding the Holy Land: Answering Questions about the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict by Ken Kliban
    Examines both sides of this longstanding conflict. Reviews competing historical claims to the same land as well as ethnic and religious aspects of the dispute. Discusses the PLO, intifada, the Oslo peace process, world reactions to Arab-Israeli problems, and reasons peace is so hard to achieve. Non-fiction for grades 6-9 and older. 2005.

  • RC 59917 Old Hickory: Andrew Jackson and the American People by Robert Sams
    Biography of the 7th president of the US. Places him in the social and political context of the early 19th century. Discusses Jackson's backwoods upbringing, military achievements, and forceful personality. Considers Jacksonian society's attitude toward Native Americans, slaves, women, and hygiene. Non-fiction for grades 6-9 and older. 2004.

  • RC 61282 Empire of Alexander the Great by Annie Wauters
    Presents a military biography of the charismatic commander Alexander the Great, who died at age 32. Discusses ways his empire spread Greek culture and social values throughout the Middle East and Europe, initiated world trade, and encouraged intellectual exchange. Non-fiction for grades 6-9 and older. 2005.


Check out our NLS produced children's' magazines!
  • Boy's Life BLY1
    Digital braille, press braille - sent monthly Contains articles on the outdoors, sports, and hobbies, with adventure fiction and humor. For ages 9-16. Published by the Boy Scouts of America.

  • Cricket NGW3
    Audiocassette - sent monthly Contains stories, poems, and articles by internationally known authors; songs, jokes, and crafts. For ages 6-12. On one cassette with National Geographic Kids.

  • Muse MUE1
    Digital braille, press braille - Sent in 10 issues per year. Contains science, art, archaeology, and history activities for ages 6-14; includes contests and book and media reviews.

  • National Geographic Kids NGW3
    Audiocassette - sent monthly Contains articles for children about people, places, customs, animals, and plant life.

  • Spider: The Magazine for Children SPD1, SPD3
    Audiocassette, digital braille, press braille - sent monthly. Contains stories, poems, jokes, and crafts for beginning readers ages 6-9.

  • Sports Illustrated for Kids SPK3
    Audiocassette - sent monthly Contains sports news and articles for ages 8-13; features sports personalities, events, and sports cards; youth who are excelling in sports; regular column by youth discussing a controversial sports-related issue.

  • Stone Soup: The Magazine by Young Writers and Artists ST01
    Digital braille, press braille - Sent in 5 issues per year Contains stories, poems, illustrations, and book reviews created by children through age thirteen. Features an activities section with suggested related projects.

Holidays
The Braille and Talking Book Library will be closed on the following holidays:
  • Columbus Day - Oct. 9
  • Veteran's Day - Nov. 10
  • Thanksgiving Day - Nov. 23 & 24
  • Christmas Day - Dec. 25

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/b&tb

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.