The state of Kansas is going to be celebrating its first ever Talking Books week on March 3 - 8, 2008, and throughout the month of March! For more information, read on....
The State Library of Kansas Talking Book Division invites the Kansas library community to join in the celebration of the 1st ever (in Kansas) Talking Book Week, March 3-8, 2008. Talking Books, originally called Library Services to the Blind, began in 1931 with the signing of the Pratt-Smoot Act. Over the years the program has expanded to include anyone unable to use standard print. The program continues as a free service that provides unabridged books and magazines in audio format and in Braille to the doorsteps of individuals of all ages. In recognition of the week of celebration in Kansas, local service center libraries in Emporia, Topeka, Wichita, Manhattan, Norton, and Great Bend will display banners, posters, and a Governor’s proclamation, along with a variety of resource materials. We will be joined throughout the week by state officials reading from some of their favorite materials. All libraries in Kansas are encouraged to participate during the designated week and throughout the month of March. To assist in local activities in Kansas, bookmarks, draft proclamations for local use, editorials, press releases, and a list of suggested activities have been prepared and are available in print and electronic form for any library or board to use to highlight library services in your community. Participation is easy and fun. If you have questions, would like to order materials or need information about how your library can be involved, contact Janie Rutherford at the State Library in Topeka (785-291-3230) or Toni Harrell at the Talking Book office in Emporia (620-341-6280).
Support materials for Talking Book Week are available for download at http://www.kslib.info/talking/ksl_bph.html. Follow the links to a local proclamation template, news release and letter to the editor. There is also a link to for Kansas libraries to order Talking Book A to Z bookmark/flyers that can be used year-round.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
An Email from an Author! Blind Traveler Down a Dark River
I recently received the following email from an author of one of the NLS talking books! Check it out, and yes, be sure to read the book! :)
Hi,
My editor at Disaboom.com recommended your website and blog. I would like to make you aware that my novel, Blind Traveler Down a Dark River, is part of the Library of Congress Talking Book Library (catalog number: 61850). I would appreciate it if you would make readers of your blog aware of my novel.
Book Cover Summary
Blind Traveler Down a Dark River is the story of Douglas Abledan, a blind man using a GPS unit to navigate the world. One day the device malfunctions. He stumbles upon the scene of a murder about to take place. Due to the confusion caused by the failure of his technology, it isn’t until he hears a radio announcer reporting an accidental shooting that pieces start falling into place. Unable to convince authorities to look into the matter, he launches his own investigation.
In the year 2021 increasing global earthquakes threaten civilization’s infrastructure. Unimat Incorporated is trying to stop the destruction by introducing a new building material. Special interests are up in arms. Environmentalists blame technology for the problem and want a different solution. Steel workers worry about jobs and safety. Now someone has hired a contract killer to stop the project. How can Abledan expose the killer without becoming a target?
Thank you.
Robert P. Bennett
Writer/Lecturer
Author: Blind Traveler Down a Dark River
Issues of Disability
WWW.Enablingwords.com
Hi,
My editor at Disaboom.com recommended your website and blog. I would like to make you aware that my novel, Blind Traveler Down a Dark River, is part of the Library of Congress Talking Book Library (catalog number: 61850). I would appreciate it if you would make readers of your blog aware of my novel.
Book Cover Summary
Blind Traveler Down a Dark River is the story of Douglas Abledan, a blind man using a GPS unit to navigate the world. One day the device malfunctions. He stumbles upon the scene of a murder about to take place. Due to the confusion caused by the failure of his technology, it isn’t until he hears a radio announcer reporting an accidental shooting that pieces start falling into place. Unable to convince authorities to look into the matter, he launches his own investigation.
In the year 2021 increasing global earthquakes threaten civilization’s infrastructure. Unimat Incorporated is trying to stop the destruction by introducing a new building material. Special interests are up in arms. Environmentalists blame technology for the problem and want a different solution. Steel workers worry about jobs and safety. Now someone has hired a contract killer to stop the project. How can Abledan expose the killer without becoming a target?
Thank you.
Robert P. Bennett
Writer/Lecturer
Author: Blind Traveler Down a Dark River
Issues of Disability
WWW.Enablingwords.com
Monday, February 25, 2008
Free Benefits Checkup for Older Adults
Benefits Checkup at http://www.benefitscheckup.org/ is a service of the National Council on Aging. It helps older adults find benefits they may be eligible for. It's a great resource to discover information about different government benefits, all in one place. You can even get applications online! Check it out at http://www.benefitscheckup.org/
Friday, February 15, 2008
Hall of Fame: Leaders & Legends of the Blindness Field
The Fred's Head Companion blog at http://fredsheadcompanion.blogspot.com/ recently alerted me to the Hall of Fame for Leaders & Legends of the Blindness Field. Check out the Hall of Fame at http://www.aph.org/hall_fame/index.html.
You can see a list of those who have already been inducted to the Hall of Fame at http://www.aph.org/hall_fame/inductees.html. The list include people like Samuel Ashcroft, Richard Hoover, and Anne Sullivan Macy.
They are currently accepting nominations for 2008 - you can nominate someone by going to http://www.aph.org/hall_fame/nominate.html. The deadline for 2008 nominations is March 21!
Books being sold by the chapter now?
The Wall Street Journal recently had an article titled Publisher Tests Selling By the Chapter. You can read it at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120269423731957889.html. It seems that a digital book is being sold for $2.99 per chapter!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Free book download from Oprah!
If you go to Oprah's website before 8 Eastern/7 Central on February 14, 2008, you can donwload a free copy of the book Women & Money by Suze Orman. Go to http://www2.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/200802/tows_past_20080213.jhtml to download the book. But you better hurry.... the download is only available for a few more hours!
Happy St. Valentine's Day!
Happy St. Valentine's Day!
Fred's Head Companion - post on Dogs4Diabetics
Have you ever heard of Dogs4Diabetics? I recently learned about them through a blog post... Fred's Head Companion has a post on Dogs4Diabetics at http://fredsheadcompanion.blogspot.com/2008/02/dogs4diabetics.html.
You can also go directly to the Dogs4Diabetics website at http://www.dogs4diabetics.com/ to read more about these neat dogs!
The Dogs4Diabetics website explains, "Dogs4Diabetics dogs have been specifically trained to identify, and more importantly, act upon the subtle scent changes that hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) creates in body chemistry, changes undetectable to their human companions."
You can also go directly to the Dogs4Diabetics website at http://www.dogs4diabetics.com/ to read more about these neat dogs!
The Dogs4Diabetics website explains, "Dogs4Diabetics dogs have been specifically trained to identify, and more importantly, act upon the subtle scent changes that hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) creates in body chemistry, changes undetectable to their human companions."
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Blog Post: Win a Grant to Create New Assistive Technology
AFB's blog mentions that you can "Win a Grant to Create New Assistive Technology" - check out the blog post at http://www.afb.org/blog/blog_comments.asp?TopicID=3400
The post states, "The Spanish Organization for the Blind (ONCE) is calling for entries for their 5th International Research and Development (R & D) award in New Technologies for the Blind and Visually Impaired. The lucky winner will receive a $300,000 grant to help develop new assistive technology..."
The post states, "The Spanish Organization for the Blind (ONCE) is calling for entries for their 5th International Research and Development (R & D) award in New Technologies for the Blind and Visually Impaired. The lucky winner will receive a $300,000 grant to help develop new assistive technology..."
Friday, February 8, 2008
Who Needs Libraries?
It seems like these days, almost everyone is debating the purpose of libraries and printed books... and lots of libraries are facing budget cuts... in light of this, have you heard the online sound publication titled Who Needs Libraries? You can listen to it at http://www.soundprint.org/radio/display_show/ID/629/name/Who+needs+libraries
The SoundPrint website says about the presentation: "As more and more information is available on-line, as Amazon rolls out new software that allows anyone to find any passage in any book, an important question becomes: Who needs libraries anymore? Why does anyone need four walls filled with paper between covers? Surprisingly, they still do and in this program Producer Richard Paul explores why; looking at how university libraries, school libraries and public libraries have adapted to the new information world. This program airs as part of our ongoing series on education and technology, and is funded in part by the U.S. Department of Education."
Anyone have any feedback after listening to this one? If so, feel free to post a comment or send me an email!
The SoundPrint website says about the presentation: "As more and more information is available on-line, as Amazon rolls out new software that allows anyone to find any passage in any book, an important question becomes: Who needs libraries anymore? Why does anyone need four walls filled with paper between covers? Surprisingly, they still do and in this program Producer Richard Paul explores why; looking at how university libraries, school libraries and public libraries have adapted to the new information world. This program airs as part of our ongoing series on education and technology, and is funded in part by the U.S. Department of Education."
Anyone have any feedback after listening to this one? If so, feel free to post a comment or send me an email!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Article: Library Gets Book Back After 57 Years
Have you read the article Library Gets Book Back After 57 Years? Yes, it's true - someone returned a very long overdue book in a library book drop in Wisconsin... Check it out at http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hPzyolIDFSRepJKclR_UHhp7f2VwD8UCKERG1.
Monday, February 4, 2008
USA Today Question: When was the last time you visited a public library or its website?
USA Today's Snapshot question is currently, "When was the last time you visited a public library or its website?" You can vote at http://yahoo.usatoday.com/news/snapshot.htm?section=M&label=2008-01-17-thanks&csp=1
When I voted, 59% of people had visited within the past year. 14% can't remember....
When I voted, 59% of people had visited within the past year. 14% can't remember....
February 2007 APH News Online
You can see the February 2007 APH (American Printing House for the Blind) News Online at http://www.aph.org/advisory/2008adv02.html
The newsletter includes information on APH's 150th anniversary! There are also Braille Plus tutorial webcasts available at www.aph.org/webcast
The news also states, "The Hall of Fame for Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field is accepting nominations for 2008 induction consideration." To nominate someone, go to www.aph.org/hall_fame/nominate.html
The newsletter includes information on APH's 150th anniversary! There are also Braille Plus tutorial webcasts available at www.aph.org/webcast
The news also states, "The Hall of Fame for Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field is accepting nominations for 2008 induction consideration." To nominate someone, go to www.aph.org/hall_fame/nominate.html
Friday, February 1, 2008
Article: Cell Phone Reads to the Blind
Have you read the article Cell Phone Reads to the Blind? It talks about a new cell phone that was developed by K-NFB (Kurzweil and NFB) Reading Technology.
Check it out on NPR's website at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18504117. The article states, "A new cell phone offers the smallest text-to-speech reading device ever built, a device especially useful for people with impaired vision. The phone and software come with a $2,000 price tag..."
Wow, $2000... my guess is not many people will be running out to buy this one until the price goes down... anyone actually seen this device? If so, contact me... I'd be interested to hear more about it!
Check it out on NPR's website at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18504117. The article states, "A new cell phone offers the smallest text-to-speech reading device ever built, a device especially useful for people with impaired vision. The phone and software come with a $2,000 price tag..."
Wow, $2000... my guess is not many people will be running out to buy this one until the price goes down... anyone actually seen this device? If so, contact me... I'd be interested to hear more about it!
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