Toy Guide for Differently Abled Children

Toys R Us has an online toy guide for differently abled kids. Check it out at http://www.toysrus.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=2257808.

You can view the guide online or download PDF's of the guide, with FAQ's and a 10 tips for buying toys. The online guide can be viewed by category, age, gender, brand, theme, and price. A short video by Maria Shriver, a sponsor of the guide/program, is featured on the site.

USA.gov Government and Public Libraries website

USA.gov has a government and public libraries section at http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Reference_Shelf/Libraries.shtml. The site includes a library search, where you can search for libraries within 10 miles of a specific zip code. Links to library related websites are organized alphabetically on the site. Some of the links go to sites like Ask a Librarian, Center for the Book, State Libraries, Library of Congress, Library Statistics, and Presidential Libraries. And of course my favorite link is the one to the NLS/Talking Books website at http://www.loc.gov/nls/.

"20+ Places for Public Domain E-Books"

Check out the list of "20+ Places for Public Domain E-Books" at http://mashable.com/2007/11/12/public-domain-ebook-sources/. The links are for LEGAL e-book sites. The comments on that page also suggest a few more e-book sites. Enjoy!

Amazon Announces the Kindle - a Wireless Reading Device

Amazon announced the release of the Kindle 2 (UPDATED 2/10/09). The Kindle is Amazon's "wireless reading device." Amazon has a demonstration video and videos of authors discussing the Kindle. The price is $359 and many of the e-books are selling for $9.99.

Will the Kindle 2catch on? I guess we'll have to wait and see. Feel free to share your comments about the Kindle. My guess is the Kindle will become popular.

Looking for information about the Kindle 2 and accessibility for the blind? Check out this blog post:

Amazon Kindle 2 for the blind and visually impaired at http://talkingbookslibrarian.blogspot.com/2009/02/amazon-kindle-2-for-blind-and-visually.html

A Commercial in "Braille"

The Dorina Nowill Foundation in Brazil has developed a "Braille" commercial... (or should I say a commercial in Braille?)

Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/v/JD-NxJnZ8Go. You can see the Dorina Nowill Foundation website at http://www.fundacaodorina.org.br/default2.asp.

Everyone reading my blog MUST be a genius!

Thanks to a blog post on David Lee King's blog (http://www.davidleeking.com/), I discovered that you can find the "readability level" of your blog! So, I went to test my blog out at the site, which is http://www.criticsrant.com/bb/reading_level.aspx. It said that my blog's reading level was GENIUS!

I guess that means that everyone reading my blog is a genius! :) Sounds good to me.... Everyone, please congratulate yourself for having reached GENIUS status!!!

National Literary Society of the Deaf

Are you familiar with the National Literary Society of the Deaf? Their website at http://www.folda.net/nlsd/index.htm states they promote "deaf culture, books, and literacy through programs and exhibits, particularly at public libraries." You can learn more about the organization at http://www.folda.net/nlsd/about.htm, which states, "NLSD has been recognized as the oldest and only deaf organization in the nation known to promote literary, books, reading, cultures, and library accessibility." They also have a news and events page at http://www.folda.net/nlsd/news.htm, which lists cultural events for those persons who are deaf.

Closely related to this group is FOLDA, or Friends of Libraries for Deaf Action. FOLDA publishes the Red Notebook, which (according to http://www.folda.net/introduction/purpose.html) is "is a loose-leaf binder containing fact sheets, library reprints, announcements and other printed informational materials that are related to both deaf and library issues."

Article: Correcting poor vision in nursing home residents may decrease symptoms of depression

Have you read the article Correcting poor vision in nursing home residents may decrease symptoms of depression? It's at http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-11/jaaj-cpv110807.php. The article states, "Nursing home residents who received eyeglasses for uncorrected refractive error were found to have improved quality of life and decreased symptoms of depression when compared to those with refractive error who had not received eyeglasses."

Interesting.... but this also presents a problem since eyeglasses can only be purchased every so many years if someone is on Medicaid, etc.... so I guess in the meantime, the person is just supposed to stay depressed? Very tragic indeed...

I am NOT the Annoyed Librarian! :)

Okay, if you have been following some of the library related blogs, you will know that there is much discussion about the Annoyed Librarian and exactly who writes the blog... I can safely tell you all, I am NOT the Annoyed Librarian! :) But maybe someday, we will know who it is!

Love of Reading (Online Book Fair)

Did you know that from November 14 - November 16 there is an online book fair? It's at http://www.loveofreading.com/. At the website, you can enter to win free books, find author interviews, author readings, and participate in book forums/dialogues. There are book excerpts and guest literature bloggers too!

You can see/hear links to the author interviews at http://www.loveofreading.com/audio_video.htm. Some of the interviews include:

Merle's Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog by Ted Kerasote

Driven Out by Jean Pfaelzer

Arianna Huffington, author of On Becoming Fearless . . . in Love, Work, and Life

Alexandra Robbins, author of The Overachievers

John Grogan, author of Marley and Me

Dean Koontz, author of The Husband

Alan Alda, author of Never Have Your Dog Stuffed

Marcus Mabry, author of Twice as Good: Condoleezza Rice and Her Path to Power

Jason Ryan Dorsey, author of My Reality Check Bounced!

NPR survey on media devices - for visually impaired

Did you know?

According to an email sent to the DTB-talk email list (dtb-talk-bounces@nfbnet.org) from
DSchwab@npr.org:

"National Public Radio is looking for visually impaired participants to survey about their experience with media devices. If interested, please provide name, contact information, preferred contact method (phone, email) and type of disability (blindness, dyslexia, etc.) to participant coordinator Daniel Schwab at dschwab@npr.org or 202/513.2466."

Free online music that's legal!

At Digital Alchemy there is a post listing a bunch of free (and legal) online music sites, where you can listen to and/or download music via the Internet. Check out the guide at http://www.digitalalchemy.tv/2007/06/complete-guide-to-free-music-online.html. The comments on that page also offer more suggestions for free music.

Article: "Library books get insert adverts"

Have you seen the article, Library books get insert adverts? It seems that in the UK, some county libraries are going to have advertising inserts in some of their books! Read more about it at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7075262.stm.

Online Searchable Bible, with Audio Versions of the Bible!

Thanks to a post at OPL Plus (see http://opls.blogspot.com/2007/11/searchable-online-bible.html), I learned about a searchable online Bible website. The site has different versions of the Bible, and also includes audio versions! The audio versions are available at http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/audio/. This is a great resource for Talking Books patrons! Be sure to check out this site and bookmark it in your favorites!

Disaboom.com, a website for persons with disabilities

Have you heard about Disaboom? The website states at http://aboutus.disaboom.com/About-Us.aspx that "it will transform the way people with disabilities live their lives. Every tool they want or need from finding medical information written in easy-to-understand language to buying disability specific products, from taking a vacation to building relationships with other Disaboom members, from travel tips and reviews to entering athletic events or checking the weather, will be in one place. It’s an all encompassing community that meets basic needs, but also educates its audience about their conditions and strives to improve the overall quality of their lives. Disaboom.com’s goal is to become the single most important website for those living with disabilities." The website founder is Dr. Glen House, a C7 tetraplegic.

One of the cool things about this website is the online community, where you can register, and create a bio.... and even your own blog!

2008 National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program

Did you know that the National Federation of the Blind offers scholarships? It's true.... find out more information at http://www.nfb.org/nfb/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=240&SnID=1665332409. The direct link to the scholarship page is at http://www.nfb.org/nfb/scholarship_program.asp. If you know someone who might qualify for these scholarships, please encourage him or her to apply!

November is National Diabetes Month

Did you know that November is National Diabetes month? Each week has a different theme... for more information, go to http://www.diabetes.org/communityprograms-and-localevents/americandiabetesmonth.jsp.

While you're out it, browse around the American Diabetes Association website at http://www.diabetes.org/ and learn more about what's happening in the world of diabetes!

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Quick Guide to Health Literacy and Older Adults

The United States Department of Health and Human Services has developed a "Quick Guide to Health Literacy and Older Adults." According to information found at http://www.health.gov/communication/literacy/olderadults/literacy.htm#p1, "The Quick Guide to Health Literacy and Older Adults is for people who serve older adults on health and aging issues. The guide provides background information on health literacy and strategies and suggestions for communicating with older adults. Links to many helpful resource materials are included for you to investigate specific topics in greater detail."

The website includes links and information for visual impairment, hearing impairment, cognitive challenges, strengths of older adults, and additional resources.

Amsterdam Will Be The World Book Capital in 2008

Kimbooktu's blog mentions that Amsterdam will be the World Book Capital for 2008 (see http://kimbooktu.wordpress.com/2007/10/30/amsterdam-world-book-capital-2008/). To go directly to the English version of the World Book Capital site for 2008, go to http://www.amsterdamworldbookcapital.com/. There will be an international symposium on copyright, internationally renowned authors, and an annual congress of European booksellers.

Gosh, I wish I could go!!!