KidsNews Newsletter
South Dakota State Library
Braille and Talking Book Library
Winter 1995, Volume 1, Issue 3
Compiled and edited by:
Connie Sullivan, Children's Services Coordinator
Welcome to KidsNews

The Library Is Bigger than You Think
Frequently, we encounter a problem with students telling us that they never get the books they want. The Braille and Talking Book Library only has a limited number of copies of each title. When you wait to send back all your books at one time, this delays others from getting those books.

Please remember to send the tapes back as soon as possible so that other students can share in the excitement of a great book. If you do have to wait for a title, why not try a new reading interest? We have many reading interests waiting to be discovered!


Popular Reading Interests For All Ages:
You can call the library (1-800-423-6665) with specific reading requests between 8:00 am to 5:00 pm central time.


Reminder to all users
In order to retain the use of the playback equipment you received when your talking book service was started, you must borrow at least one book per year or subscribe to a magazine.

Although some of you may be using your equipment in conjunction with textbooks received from Recording for the Blind (RFB), National Library Service (NLS) regulations do not allow us to consider such as "use of the Library" because RFB recorded books are not provided by NLS.

If you have not borrowed a book from the Library in the past year, but would like to retain use of the playback equipment, please call the Library. The Library collection contains many recorded and braille books for your use in book reports and other school projects. Otherwise, your equipment may be recalled due to non-use of the Library's collection.

Toll-free number 1-800-423-6665


Rewinding your tapes: It all adds up!
The South Dakota Braille and Talking Book Library thanks you for your rewind help. The time and effort you take to prepare books for the next borrower lets us serve you better in many other ways.

If you have a cassette player and you're wondering how to rewind a tape, we've included the following instructions:
  1. Insert the cassette tape into the machine with the print/braille label (the raised dots) facing up.
  2. Press the rewind key.
  3. When the tape is completely rewound, press the stop key to release the rewind key.
  4. Press the eject key.
  5. Repeat this procedure for each tape that needs to be rewound.



Using your cassette player
Only use your cassette player with the battery! When the battery runs down, plug it in to recharge for at least 12 hours - NO LONGER THAN 14 HOURS.

NEVER plug the machine in unless you are specifically recharging the run-down battery!!! This will result in damage to the battery.

If you have any problems with your cassette player, call the Library (1-800-423-6665) and ask for DOYLE.


Understanding 4-Track Tapes
Many of us are familiar with standard 2-track cassette tapes which usually contain favorite musical recordings. You could play these tapes on your stereo player or in the car cassette player. Braille and Talking Book Library introduced you to the 4-track cassette designed to hold more recorded time. This opened up a world of new equipment on which to play these tapes. So why did the library have to confuse everyone? First, some books are very long and you would be required to have twice the amount of 2-track cassettes to listen to your book. Cost and library storage space were primary considerations. Second was copyright consideration. Authors and publishers graciously permit the library to record and copy their works because 4-track tapes cannot be duplicated or played on a boom-box. They extend this permission only to persons who are blind, visually impaired, handicapped or dyslexic and are registered with the Braille and Talking Book Library.

A 4-track tape has 2 separate recordings on the top and bottom half of the tape on both sides. This equals 4 tracks of recorded material. Hence, the need to change the side selector switch when instructed by the recording narrator.

When you receive a book consisting of several tapes, you will note they are numbered 1 ,5, 9, and so on, in intervals of 4. This means that each cassette begins with the noted side number.

To begin playing a series of cassettes, push the eject button and place the number 1 cassette with the braille and numbered side up and the tape thread facing the open side of the cassette slot. Be sure the side selector switch is pushed to the left, in position marked 1-2. This is the rocker switch that is the third control back on the right of your player. When you have finished listening to side 1, the narrator will direct you to turn the cassette over. You are now in position to play side 2.

When side 2 is finished, push the side selector switch to the right in the position marked 3-4 and turn the cassette over. At the end of side 3, turn the cassette over to hear side 4.

Repeat this process with any remaining cassettes. Remember to change the side selector switch to the left to the position marked 1-2 at the beginning of each new cassette inserted, numbered side up.

Please note: If you do not play all four sides, you will miss hearing the entire book.

Many books do not use all the recording space on the final tape. When you have finished reading the entire book, insert the final cassette, numbered side up, and push the rewind button. This will assure that tapes are rewound for the next listener. Use this last process when you receive your tapes in case they were accidentally missed and not rewound in the library inspection process.

If you listened to the entire book, all but the last tape (or first if the book is on only one cassette) are back in the start position, so you only have to rewind one tape. However, if you decided to quit listening part way into a book, that tape needs to be rewound.

You can play regular 2-track tapes on your loaned library equipment. These are taped at a different speed and you must change the speed selector switch. Otherwise you will hear a new, strange language.


Catalogs and bibliographies
Beginning in August and continuing in 1996 the catalog "For Young Reader 1994-1995" will be offered in recorded, braille and large print editions. This catalog of fiction and nonfiction cassette and braille books are for children and teens. The large-print edition will be available in February 1996.

You may also receive a magazine catalog. This catalog lists magazines that are available in braille, cassette, computer-diskette, electronic access, flexible-disc, and large print formats. This catalog includes magazines produced by National Library Service and magazines available from other producers.

Other catalogs that are on the new list are best sellers and pioneer stories. If you never received a order form to order your new catalogs. please call the Library 1-800-423-6665.


Summer Reading Program Results
This program has been in existence for the past seven years. With each year it has been more successful than the year before. We have always had excellent support from the Governors' Office, South Dakota Dairy Queen Association, and the South Dakota State Fair Board.

The biggest supporters for this program are Jane Kolbe, State Librarian, Dan Boyd; Director of the Braille and Talking Book Library; and the Governors' Office. Summer reading programs are a tradition in public libraries. The continued support that everyone has provided this program insure that children who cannot read standard print can compete in this great summer tradition.

The S. D. Dairy Queen Association provides us with some of the funding for the program. The S. D. Sate Fair Board provide a place for the first place awards presentation, the gate passes and the carnival tickets for the first place winners. Each year the awards program is held at the S. D. State Fair. Each winner receives a plaque and carnival passes. Two out of the six winners receive a $50 savings bond for reading the most books during the program. In 1995, the awards were presented to the children by Carol Hillard, Lt. Governor; Jane Kolbe, State Librarian; Dan Boyd, Director of the Braille and Talking Book Library; Jim Ellenson, President of the S. D. Dairy Queen Association; Faith Calahan, State Fair Board; and Connie Sullivan, Braille and Talking Book Library.

The 1995 first place winners were:
  • Recorded books - ages 7-8-9, 10-11-12, 13-14-15:Melissa Todd, Rapid City; Max Blaschke, Sioux Falls; Justin Haar, Madison; and Guy Balo, Whitewood.
  • Braille books - ages 7-8-9, 10-11-12, 13-14-15:Amanda Hofland, Elk Point and James Konechne, White Lake.
  • Justin Haar and James Konechne -- each won a $50 saving bond.
  • Amanda Hofland (right) and her braillist, Jennie Claus, both from Elk Point, share their excitement at the awards program.
  • The second and third place winners received plaques from the Library. Names of those winners are:Kimberly Beckler, Rapid City; Shandra Zens, Ashton; Ruth Douglas, Buffalo; Carl Reiser, Dupree; Tara Knudson, Sioux Falls; David Reiners, Humboldt; and Kendra Sargent, Wessington.
Special prizes awarded during the program were AM/FM cassette radios, T-shirts, pencils, stickers, and buttons.

The next time you stop at a Dairy Queen, thank them for their support of the Governors' Summer Reading Program.


Dear Connie Sullivan,
Thank you for sending me the really cool headphones. I like to listen to the neat books you have picked out and sent me. The summer reading program was fun and let me listen to books I could not have read otherwise.

Thank you, Melissa Todd
Dear Connie,
The Summer Reading Program is a lot of fun. You get to read a lot of books and maybe win a prize. I entered the reading contest this year again and won first place. It was a lot of fun. I won a free pass to ride on all the rides at the fair and a $50 savings bond. I rode on most of the rides and had a lot of fun.

I'd like to thank the people who made it possible like the S. D. Dairy Queen Association, State Fair Board, State Library, Braille and Talking Book Library and the Governor for providing me with this opportunity.

Thank you, James Konechne

Artists-In-Schools
Tina Blatter, visual artist
South Dakota Arts Council Artists-In-Schools

Tina Blatter is a blind artist who creates tactile collage paintings and braille greeting cards. Tina has applied to the South Dakota Arts Council's Artists-In-Schools (AIS) program and has been endorsed by the Council to conduct (AIS) residencies for the 1996-1997 school year.

AIS is a residency program that places a professional artist working with students in a classroom or school setting. Residencies range from one-week to year-long and are available at $400 a week matching funds from the local sponsor. South Dakota Arts Council will match the sponsors $400 plus the artist's travel expenses. Student supplies are the responsibility of the sponsor.

AIS residencies provide students the opportunity to have artistic experiences and to work with and learn from a professional artist recognized in their discipline.

For more information and AIS Roster, contact Colin Olsen, Arts Education Coordinator, Office of Arts, South Dakota Arts Council, 800 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501. (605) 773-3131 or 1-800-423-6665.


RFB -- Name and Fee Change
Recording for the Blind has changed its name to Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D). The change came after more than a year of research, during which dyslexic consumers said they would have used the organization's recorded textbooks much earlier if they had known the tapes were available to them.

Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic increased its registration fee to $50 effective January 1, 1996. The increase will help RFB&D continue giving quality services to its members. For more information, call the Braille and Talking Book Library at 1-800-423-6665.


Smaller Cassette Player/Recorder
Many patrons of the library ask if there is a smaller, lighter cassette player available. Recording for the Blind, a non-profit organization that provides textbooks to students nationwide, sells several models of cassette players.

One available model is the APH Panasonic, a walk about-size recorder that plays Library of Congress format cassettes, has a radio, and also records on two tracks. The APH Panasonic costs $208.00, which includes several accessories.

The Handi-Cassette Recorder/Player cost $129.95 and the Talkman VI cost $199.00. For a product brochure or more information, contact: Recording for the Blind, 20 Roszel Rd., Princeton, NJ 08540, Telephone: (800) 223-1839


NLS Offers a Wide Variety of Music Resources
The National Library Service (NLS) of the Library of Congress has a special music collection for Braille and Talking Book patrons. This collection includes more than 30,000 books, scores, and instructional recordings in braille, large-print, and recorded formats.

Braille books include the standard repertoire for most instruments, choral music, popular music, librettos, textbooks, instructional books, and music periodicals. The large-print collection consists of enlarged scores for voice, piano, and other instruments, along with biographies of musicians and more. The materials on disc and cassette include music theory, biographical sketches of musicians and examples of their art, interviews, and instruction for various instruments.

Music produced solely for recreational listening is not part of the NLS collection. Recreational music can be obtained from stores or public libraries.

For more information about the NLS music library, call NLS directly at 1-800-424-8567. Leave a message, and your telephone number, and someone from the music section will return your call.


Good Books on Tape and in Braille.
To order these books, call the Library at 1-800-423-6665. RC numbers are for cassette books only. BR and BRA books are for braille books only.

    Youngest Readers:
  • Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder (Eight titles)
    • Little House in the Big Woods (RC 13972; BR 4442)
    • Little House on the Prairie (RC 10929; BR 4243)
    • On the Banks of Plum Creek (RC 21196; BR 4261)
    • By the Shores of Silver Lake (RC 21197; BR 4444)
    • The Long Winter (RC 21198; BR 4445)
    • Little Town on the Prairie (RC 21199; BR 4237)
    • These Happy Golden Years (RC 21200; BR 4443)
    • Farmer Boy (RC 21019; BR 4262)
  • Aesop's Fables (RC 31158; BR 7863)
  • Beauty and the Beast by Anne Carter (RC 29928) or Warwick Hutton (RC 23493)
  • The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli (RC 22885)
  • The Emperor and the Kite by Jane Yolen (BR 728)
    Middle Readers:
  • Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis (Seven titles)
    • The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (RC 16982; BR 7236)
    • Prince Caspian (RC 16984; BR 7238)
    • Boyage of the Dawn Treader (RC 16985; BR 7313)
    • The Silver Chair (RC 16986; BR 7237)
    • The Horse and his Boy (RC 17438; BR 7216)
    • The Magician's Nephew (RC 16987; BR 7215)
    • (RC 16988; BR 8373)
  • The 18th Emergency by Betsy Byars (RC 7891)
  • A Girl Called Al by Constance Greene (RC 19904)
  • The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes (BR 1416)
  • Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell (RC 22397; BR 6230)
  • Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor (RC 10893; BR 6283)
  • The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth Speare (RC 21639; BR 5697)
  • Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan (RC 17832)
  • Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt (RC 10358; BR 7774)
    Older Readers:
  • Abraham Lincoln; From Log Cabin to White House by Sterling North (BRA 1411)
  • April Morning by Howard Fast (RC 6472)
  • Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank Gilbreth & Ernestine Carey (RC 23282; BR 353)
  • The Chosen by Chaim Potok (RC 26399; BRA 9362)
  • The Endless Steppe: A Girl in Exile by Esther Hautzig (RC 24519)
  • The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley (RC 25926; BR 8273)
  • The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass (RC 30570)
  • Old Yeller by Fred Gipson (RC 15325; BR 7798)
  • Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe (RC 27138; BRA 11968)
  • Warrior Scarlet by Rosemary Sutcliff (BRA 1081)

What you need to know to get the books you want to read
The main goal of the South Dakota Braille and Talking Book Library is to supply you with the books you would enjoy.

Here are some things you can do to help us meet your reading needs:
  1. Whenever possible, DO YOUR OWN SELECTIONS from the wide variety of catalogs available. Read the annotation in the catalogs and decide if this is a book you might like.
  2. Work with your Reader Advisor to identify the titles, authors or subject areas you enjoy. If you want to add or delete an author, title, or subject area, let us know!
  3. If you do not find a specific title or author in the catalog, check with us to see if it has been recorded. National Library Service records about 150 new titles a month.
  4. Remember the titles are chosen from your request file chronologically. The requests you sent in last year get chosen before the one you sent in last week. If you read several books a week, you will need a larger request file. However, if you read two books a month, it will take you much longer to get through a large request file.
  5. Understand the difference between the type of services. The system defaults all patrons to a turnaround; which means you start out with so many books sent to you the first time and then for each book you return another one is mailed. Do not return the books all at once. Mail them as you complete them, and there will be a steady supply of books arriving at your door.
    • On Demand Only: Book will not be send out to you unless you call and request that books be sent in the next day's mail.
    • Request and Reserve: If there are many requests for the same book, you may have to wait to receive it. However, if there is a particular book you want to read above all others, ask the Reader Advisor if you may reserve that book. A book on reserve will go in addition to your regular requests.
  6. If you are requiring immediate shipment of titles, or if you are receiving too many books, not enough books, want service placed on hold, or not receiving books that meet your needs (no matter what the circumstances), please notify your reader advisor and the necessary adjustments will be made.
If you have any question concerning your library service, please call the Library at 1-800-423-6665.


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.