Inside this Issue
Notes from the Editor
It has been a busy year here at the library. We added more new staff to our talking book crew here at Accessible Library Services. In this newsletter, you will meet new employee Jeanette Munyer, and next newsletter you will meet Michelle Loffelmacher.
In this issue, you will also learn more about the 2024 summer reading program, new additions to our collection, and other resources. We love hearing from you so please don't hesitate to contact us.
South Dakota Accessible Library Services, Braille and Talking Book Library Staff (in Red, White, and Blue) Left to Right: Back Row- Joshua Easter, Lynette Thum, Jack Mortenson. Front Row- Virginia Kaus, Michelle Loffelmacher, Jeanette Munyer, Kathleen Slocum
Introducing Staff
Institutions Reader Advisor, Jeanette Munyer
Hello, my name is Jeanette Munyer. I am the new Reader Advisor with Accessible Library Services at the South Dakota State Library. I have enjoyed audiobooks for many years and I'm excited to help others obtain Talking Books. The machine and the cartridges are very easy to use, so don't be shy. Please contact me if you need help especially if you live or work in public libraries, facilities, nursing homes or assisted living.
Jeanette reads with grandchild
I am originally from California but I moved to Yankton in 2007 and I moved to Pierre in 2023 to be near my wonderful family: my sons, grandsons, daughter-in-law, and grand pups. It has been great to see my son in plays and in City Band, and be able to attend my grandson's many activities, sporting events and competitions. I also have a daughter and granddaughters.
Dog looking at camera
I did some genealogy research and I was delighted to find that my ancestors were also from the Dakotas, so I feel like I belong here!
Family at gaming table with food and crafts
I enjoy cooking, playing board games and gardening with family. I also crochet, quilt and do lots of crafts… often with a Talking Book playing at the same time.
Jeanette with sons and grandson
I am very lucky and extraordinarily happy to live in this absolutely beautiful, peaceful area!
Magazines
NLS made some changes in the distribution of some of the national magazine titles. Magazines that used to come in red mailing containers from NLS will now be coming directly from Pierre with our other magazines. Interested in checking out the most updated magazine list? Contact your reader advisor.
2024 Summer Reading Program
Your South Dakota Adventure!
Get ready for your South Dakota Summer Adventure with Accessible Library Services! The program runs from July 1 to August 26, 2024, and all registered library patrons are invited to participate. This year the youth and adults are all doing the same program.
Summer Reading Bingo cards were mailed out to all individual registered library patrons. Braille/tactile versions are available upon request. Mark each Bingo square once it's completed, and when you get five in a row, shout BINGO! If you need assistance, call your Reader Advisor. Also, let us know what you think of doing bingo for reading programs.
Remember to return the Bingo card postmarked by August 26, 2024, to be entered into the drawing for one of two android tablets.
In addition, the Eastern Star Lions Club of Rapid City has again generously donated four $50 gift cards as thy have for the youth summer reading program for many years.
We would love to see pictures of you reading! You can share your photos with us on our Facebook page . Use our hashtag #SDSummerReading2024 or send to .
Social Club
We held our Summer Reading Kick-off during the Social Club on July 1, 2024 at 2:00 PM CT via Zoom. We discussed adventures we can do here in South Dakota this summer with special guests Conor McMahon, Ann Lesch, and Rachel Comes.
Conor McMahon shared information about the Journey Museum and the many opportunities to learn about South Dakota's history, especially the history of the Black Hills. Ann Lesch, from the Ingalls Homestead, talked about the various opportunities in DeSmet at the Ingalls Homestead and the DeSmet Pageant. Rachel Comes, SD Game Fish and Parks, shared about Park Programs and encouraged us to Check Out SD State Parks and all there is available, including accessible resources and features of the park.
There was great interest from patrons who attended and wanted to share with others what they learned.
We did record the social club and there is a link to the video on our website library.sd.gov
We would love to see pictures of you reading or exploring South Dakota! You can share your photos with us by email or on our Facebook page.
Adult Winter Reading Challenge 2024
The Adult Winter Reading Challenge concluded Apr 8 with the Social Club and drawing. During the Social Club, we briefly discussed each of the six books that were recommended by new staff. 42 patrons signed up for the Adult Winter Reading Challenge; 18 patrons returned the questionnaire to be eligible for the drawing.
The winner of the drawing was Pat from Ft Pierre who stated: "I've never won anything in my life! Glad to have won something as nice as these."
Xavier Society for the Blind
Have you heard of the Xavier Society for the Blind in New York City? Xavier Society has been providing free braille, large print, and Talking Books to people who are blind, visually impaired, and print-disabled, worldwide since 1900. They have patrons throughout the United States and in 25 other countries and their books aid patrons in learning about and practicing their Faith. They have hundreds of books available in Braille and Talking Book ranging from spiritual and religious to uplifting and 'feel good' titles that are more inspirational than theology-based.
One of their biggest lines of service is the Propers of the Mass (basically the missalette), which includes the readings, prayers, and responses to the Mass on Sundays and Special feast days and is available each month in braille, audio, and large print. Their audio format is compatible with the talking book machines provided by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled.
People can register with them by calling 800-637-9193 or emailing info@xaviersocietyfortheblind.org
If you need more information about the Xavier Society for the Blind, please do not hesitate to reach out to your reader advisor.
Jack's Reading Corner
Oh, hey! Didn't see you there! I'm Jack, and I am your one and only Circulation Specialist at the South Dakota State Library!
I've been in this position for about 7 months now, and I love this job! One of the many upsides to this job, is that I get my very own account on BARD. And you'll be happy to know that I have been taking full advantage of it! Fortunately, my job allows me to pop in a good audiobook while I work. Here are some good ones I've read/listened to while working.
Yeah, it's a goofy title I know, but this is one of the top Sci-fi novels of all time. An absolute game-changer for the genre. You might be familiar with the title of its movie adaptation, "Blade Runner". In this 1968 Classic from Phillip K. Dick, a detective in post-apocalyptic San Francisco faces advanced androids he needs to "retire". It's half past the future, and things aren't looking well. Owning animals is seen as a status symbol, the environment is all but kaput, and near-perfect robotic replicas of humans walk amongst us. There is sci-fi action and philosophical dilemmas galore in this novel.
This book RULES. The 1959 novel that inspired the cheesy cult-classic 1990's movie. Quick, what other book do you know that opens with soldiers in power armor flipping, jumping, and hocking NUCLEAR GRENADES at aliens? For those of you who have seen the aforementioned movie, you should know that the novel is DRASTICALLY different. I could go over all the differences between the book and the movie, but I would be here all day. In a nutshell, a young man signs up for the military to gain the right to vote and guarantee his citizenship. Most of the novel covers his training and eventual deployment against the bug menace. Notably MUCH more philosophical than its film counterpart. Would you like to know more? Check it out on BARD!
In this 1988 book by Walter Dean Myers, a black 17-year-old from New York loses a big scholarship due to a knee injury and signs up for the military. After a medical paperwork screw-up, he is sent to fight in Vietnam. After witnessing the horrors of war, he begins to question the reason behind America's involvement, while dealing with racist military leaders, and the ever-present threat of the Viet Cong.
These are just a few of the books I've read while working at the library. I'll be back on the next Prairie Trails with more book Recommendations!
South Dakota collection
The following book has been added to the South Dakota Collection.
Thousands of people from all corners of the world and all stripes of life converge on Sturgis, South Dakota, each August. They are hardcore bikers, white collar executives, professionals, biker beauties, motorcycle grandmas, Christian bikers, the curious, and many more. What is the magic? Why do they go? Tom Endres provides an answer and an insight in his profiles of the bikers themselves.
You may not know the people in "Sturgis Stories," but you will be drawn into their quirky biker subculture as you read their straight-from-the-heart stories.
Narrated by Lynda Lowin.
New DVDs have arrived!
Accessible Library Services has recently added 33 new audio-descriptive DVDs to our collection. While the large-print catalog is not quite ready for mailing, the movies are ready to be checked out. Following are the titles and DVD numbers; simply call your Reader Advisor to order. You may borrow two at a time and keep them for two weeks.
- DVD1060 The Little Mermaid
- DVD1061 John Wick: Chapter 4
- DVD1062 Women Talking
- DVD1063 What Happens Later
- DVD1064 Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse
- DVD1065 Avatar: The Way of Water
- DVD1066 My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3
- DVD1067 Wonka
- DVD1068 80 for Brady
- DVD1069 Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
- DVD1070 Barbie
- DVD1071 Ant-man and the Wasp: Quantumania
- DVD1072 Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
- DVD1073 Poor Things
- DVD1074 Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
- DVD1075 Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
- DVD1076 The Color Purple
- DVD1077 Oppenheimer
- DVD1078 Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie
- DVD1079 The Fabelmans
- DVD1080 Dune
- DVD1081 Super Mario Bros Movie
- DVD1082 Migration
- DVD1083 Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning, Part 1
- DVD1084 A Man Called Otto
- DVD1085 Till
- DVD1086 The Marvels
- DVD1087 Spoiler Alert
- DVD1088 Are you there God? It's me, Margaret
- DVD1089 Expendables 4
- DVD1090 Elemental
- DVD1091 Guardians of the Galaxy
- DVD0192 The Holdovers
Staff On the Road
Kathleen and Josh had a booth at the Technology In Education conference in Sioux Falls April 15-16, 2024.
Josh presented a session on Talking Books and South Dakota Accessible Library Services to a great group of librarians and library Support Staff at the Black Hills Libraries mini conference on Monday, April 22nd organized and hosted by the Rapid City Public Library.
Josh presented at a Siouxland Libraries staff meeting on Friday, May 3rd. He spoke about Talking Books and other Accessible Library Services to a group of about 70 staff and librarians from branches across the library system.
There were great questions and conversations. We discussed current offerings and future technology, how people can qualify and register for services and how librarians are the ones on the front lines who are essential to spread the word.
Josh enjoyed visiting and connecting with library staff on the breaks as well.
Jodi Fick, Director of Siouxland Libraries spoke on how important serving people and connecting library patrons and the community to resources and services is. Talking Books are definitely one of the services that is important to know.
Our library serves people with temporary or permanent standard print reading disabilities.
From those with reading and processing disabilities including dyslexia, to people with physical disabilities or impairments that make it difficult to hold a book or turn pages (including arthritis, muscle weakness, MS, ALS, stroke, and others temporary or permanent), and visual impairments including vision loss and blindness but also bad dry eye conditions, etc.
The downtown main library has also been a host site for a talking book recording studio since 2013 where volunteers Josh has trained record/narrate and review South Dakota related materials so they can be made available in audio talking book format.
Photos contain Joshua Easter speaking in a conference room holding a microphone with a PowerPoint on a screen in the background with library staff and second photo including Jodi Fick, Siouxland Libraries director, speaking holding a microphone.
Kathleen and Josh received a tour of the South Dakota Department of Human Services, Services to the Blind and Visually Impaired, South Dakota Rehabilitation Center for the Blind in Sioux Falls on May 13, 2024.
Thanks to Rehab Center manager April Schulte for the tour and for all the staff sharing some of what you do to serve South Dakotans and others in the region.
Kathleen and Josh also spoke at a Low Vision meeting at The Inn on Westport assisted living.
They visited and shared about services our library provides.
In Memoriam
Elaine Wiese passed away in Sioux Falls on Friday, March 29, 2024. Elaine was a member of the Ten Squared Club (she was 101), had become a patron of ALS in March 1997 and had read 2316 books since then. In lieu of flowers, Elaine's family requested donations be made to the South Dakota Accessible Library Services, along with two other organizations. All of these organizations were very important to Elaine.
Shirley Hill passed away in Hot Springs on March 1, 2024. Shirley had become a patron of Accessible Library Services in November 1996 and had listened to 4905 books since then. Her family made a donation of $500 and stated:
Thank you so much for making her quality of life better with the book reader.
Gifts and Donations
The SD Braille and Talking Book Library thanks all our generous donors who have made contributions to the library in the past several months.
- Gayle Ortega
- Thomas Nelson
- In Memory Of Shirley Hills
- Amy Krcil
- In Memory Of Elaine Wiese
- Jacki Neitzke, daughter; Robin Remund, daughter;
Rebecca Eide, daughter; Kimberly Eide; Mike & Artyce Brooke; Michael Jedlicka
Gifts and bequests that are donated to the Braille and Talking Book Library are used to enhance the services that we provide. We appreciate the generosity of those that give, and we miss those patrons who have been honored with memorials. All donations are considered a charitable donation and therefore are tax-deductible. When donating, please include the address of those to be notified for memorials or donations in honor of a special occasion or person.
The donations that you make are used to help us better serve our patrons. Donations have been used to purchase descriptive DVDs, celebrate the work of our volunteers, honor our readers who are 100 years old or older, and support reading programs such as the summer reading program. You can designate a specific purpose for your gift. If you have any questions, call your reader advisor.
Donations can be sent to:
SD Accessible Library Services
800 Governors Drive
Pierre, SD 57501-2235
Please make checks payable to the "SD Accessible Library Services".
Thank you for helping to enhance and improve library services.
Holiday Closings
The Library will be closed for the following holiday(s). Please plan to order your books accordingly. Keep in mind that the books you return will take longer to reach us. You may want to order extra books at least two weeks in advance of the following holidays:
- Monday, September 2, 2024 for Labor Day
- Monday, October 14, 2024 for Native American Day
- Monday, November 11, 2024 for Veterans Day
The Prairie Trails Newsletter is our means of communication with all patrons of the South Dakota Accessible Library Services. The Prairie Trails Newsletter is made available in digital audio on cartridge, or via email, and is posted on our website in large print and audio.
If you have any questions or comments, or wish to request this newsletter in an alternative format, please contact the SD Accessible Library Services.
Write:
South Dakota Accessible Library Services
800 Governors Drive
Pierre, SD 57501-2235
1-800-423-6665 (in SD Only)
Email
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The SD ALS does not endorse any service or product listed in this newsletter.
Masthead photo of prairie grasses and pasque flower with sunrise courtesy of South Dakota Department of Tourism © 2019 
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