Indiana Insights
News from your Library
Lissa Shanahan, Indiana Regional Librarian
Carole Rose, Editor
317-232-3684 or 1-800-622-4970
email: www.lbph@library.in.gov
Volume 31 No. 3
Summer 2008
Your Newsletter: a New Name, a New Look
Welcome to the first issue of Indiana Insights. It's been 30 years since the Indiana Regional Library published the first issue of Hoosier Highlights, its patron newsletter. It's 2008 and time to give this newsletter a new name, a new logo, and some new features. Indiana Voices is the name of our volunteer recording program, Indiana Vision Expo is the library's biggest annual event, so we've changed the name of the newsletter to Indiana Insights.
The new logo displays a half-opened book atop a state of Indiana map. On top of the book is a torch surrounded by four stars, one for each of our Indiana libraries. The words "Talking Book and Braille Library" and "Reading is for Everyone" appear on a rectangle to the right of the book.
We began making adjustments in the content of the newsletter in 2005. In addition to regular library news, we began including reviews of products and services that might be of interest to our patrons, occasional theme-related reading lists, and patron profiles. This month you will find a profile of the low vision support group in Anderson. Other support groups will be included in future editions of Indiana Insights. This edition also features an article by Drake Land, Project Director for Indiana Voices. We plan to feature more articles by contributing writers. Editor Carole Rose welcomes suggestions for content that may be of interest to our patrons.
Indiana Vision Expo
Mark Your Calendar!
The third Indiana Vision Expo will be held at the Indiana State Library on Saturday, September 27 from 10 am until 3 pm. For those of you who have not attended this event, its purpose is to introduce persons with vision loss, their friends and families, service providers, retirement communities, educators, librarians, and other interested consumers to a wide variety of products and services designed to promote independent living. Even if you attended the 2006 and 2007 Indiana Vision Expos, you'll still want to join us in September. This year's event will be our biggest and best yet.
Our Spring 2008 newsletter listed the four our-of-state exhibitors that have been added to our list of participants: The American Printing House for the Blind, the Hadley School, Humanware, and the National Braille Press. We have since added a new exhibitor. A representative from Cornerstone Diabetes and Medical Supplies will be demonstrating the very small and easy-to-use Prodigy talking glucose meter. Several patrons have indicated that this is the easiest meter they have ever used. This brings our current list of confirmed exhibitors to 26.
Bosma Enterprises, Easter Seals Crossroads, GW Micro, EYE Can See Inc, Blinded Veterans, several independent living centers and consumer groups, are among the exhibitors who have been a part of the Indiana Vision Expo since 2006. A number of agencies and distributors who cannot attend will be sending information for distribution.
We will be offering two presentations. Dr. Richard Windsor's speech on the medical breakthroughs in the treatment of macular degeneration was so popular, that he has been invited back to give this year's morning presentation. George Abbot, Dean of Student Services at Hadley School, will give the afternoon presentation. Another presentation may be added later. Flyers featuring additional Expo news will be mailed to patrons in early September. You may also contact Carole Rose, Indiana Vision Expo Coordinator at (317) 232-0609, (800) 622-4970, or crose@library.in.gov
Admission to the Indiana Vision Expo is free. Free coffee and pastries will be available and lunch can be purchased for around $6. We'll have door prizes again this year so don't forget to register.
Visitors may park all day in the state parking garage for $3. The parking garage is located directly across from the Ohio Street entrance to the State Library and must be entered off of New York Street. Since it is a one-way street, cars will need to use West Street to access New York. Cars coming from the west will be able to access New York Street without using West Street. Should drivers wish to drop passengers off at the Ohio Street entrance to the Library, staff will be there to give directions to the garage.
Please plan to join us on September 27. Although we do our best to keep an accurate record of the number of visitors attending each Expo, it can be difficult to account for everyone, especially during the first two hours of the event. If you plan to attend the 2008 Expo, please take a moment to call or email the library to let us know. We certainly want you to come even if you don't let us know, but a quick call or email will help us estimate the number of visitors we might expect. Any of our staff will be happy to take your call, and you may email us at lbph@library.in.gov
For further information about this year's Indiana Vision Expo, including directions to the event or parking, contact the Talking Book and Braille Library, or visit our web site at indianavisionexpo.org You may also contact Carole Rose, Indiana Vision Expo Coordinator at (317) 232-0609 or crose@library.in.gov
Please mark your calendar and plan to join us on Saturday, September 27 for the biggest and best Indiana Vision Expo yet.
Indiana Voices Prepares to Release First Works to Patrons
by Drake Land
Indiana Voices is proud to announce that books and magazines will soon be available. The Indiana Voices Program at the Indiana State Library that began in January 2008 has been working diligently to turn out Indiana-related materials for the patrons of Indiana's Talking Book Libraries. Books, magazines, and short pamphlets have been in production for the last six months. Although the program is not yet entirely established with volunteers, Indiana Voices is now able to complete projects and make them available to our patrons due to the work of helpful volunteers from around the Indianapolis area and beyond.
Projects recorded have come from the Indiana Best Books lists, popular magazines once recorded by the program run by the Indiana Historical Society, and the suggestions of patrons. Patrons wishing to suggest a book or magazine can do so by emailing Program Director Drake Land at dland@library.in.gov. The book or magazine must have a connection to the Hoosier state, be printed after 1997, and must not have been recorded in its current form by the National Library Service or a participating Local Recording Program.
Magazines to remain in production and soon to be released to our patrons include; Outdoor Indiana published by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History published by the Indiana Historical Society Press, and the Indiana Magazine of History published by the Indiana University Department of History.
Books are chosen to appeal to readers of all ages and genres. Some examples of books in progress are: Invitation to Valhalla by Mike Whicker, The Soldier's Friend: A Life of Ernie Pyle by Ray E. Boomhower, Skirting the Issue: Stories of Indiana's Historical Women Artists by Judith Vale Newton & Carol Ann Weiss, and The Eccentric Billionaire: John D. MacArthur--Empire Builder, Reluctant Philanthropist, Relentless Adversary by Nancy Kriplen. There are currently 29 works in progress.
The Indiana Voices Program was funded by a generous grant from the Ruth Lily Philanthropic Foundation, which will provide funding to the program and thereby books to our patrons for years to come.
Profile
Anderson Outreach Center for Blind and Visually Impaired
The low vision support group for the Anderson, Indiana area is one of the largest and most active groups in the state. The Anderson Outreach Center for Blind and Visually Impaired meets on the last Saturday of each month at Christ Lutheran Church, 716 Rainbow Blvd., Anderson. Meetings begin with a luncheon at noon, followed by a short group meeting and a program featuring a speaker, product demonstrations, or musical enter-tainment. Barb Kyle, the group's director, estimates that 40 to 50 persons attend each meeting, and at least one new member is added each month.
The members have access to a computer lab, staffed by group member Diana Hyatt. The computer runs Window-Eyes and includes a scanner. Counseling is also offered to members who wish to talk to someone about personal experiences and adjustments relating to vision loss. Social events and field-trips, bake sales, rummage sales, and other fund-raisers are also a part of the group's activities. For the past two years, a visit to the Indiana Vision Expo has been on their agenda, and we sincerely hope they will join us at the 2008 Expo.
For further information or to become a member, call Barb Kyle at (765) 642-0887.
Can We Visit your Support Group?
In February 2008, members of our staff met with a low vision support group in the Elkhart area. The visit was so positive for both the group and our staff that we decided to offer a similar visit to every support group in Indiana. The offer was published in our Spring 2008 Hoosier Highlights, and the response was tremendous.
Since April we have met with support groups in Indianapolis, Franklin, Marion, Muncie, Shelbyville, Richmond, and Fort Wayne. Between now and September we have visits scheduled in Anderson, Angola, Auburn, Decatur, and LaGrange. In 2007 we visited groups in Bloomington, Danville, Greenwood, Lafayette and Indianapolis and plan to return to some of them within the next few months.
We hope that these visits have been as meaningful for the support groups as they have for the TBBL staff. It is such fun to be able to actually meet and visit with our patrons and to introduce the program to those who have not signed up for talking books. We were even introduced to a few groups that we had known very little about. If we have yet to visit your group, and you would like to invite us to one of your meetings, please contact Carole Rose at (317) 232-0609, (800) 622-4970 or crose@library.in.gov.
Convention News
The 37th annual convention for the Indiana chapter of the American Council of the Blind will be held September 12-14 at Spring Mill State Park. Room rates range from $69-$89 plus 12% tax. Call (877) 563-4371 by August 8 to make reservations.
The Indiana chapter of the National Federation of the Blind will hold its annual convention October 31-November 2 at the Marriot East in Indianapolis. For information about reservations and/or the convention agenda, contact the NFB hotline at (317) 205-9226.
The Indiana chapter of the Association of Blind Workers will hold its annual convention September 26-28 at the Marriot East in Indianapolis. For convention information, contact Dawn Kempe at (317) 358-0405.
Large Print Catalogs
The Talking Book and Braille Library recently produced two catalogs listing large print titles that have been added to our collection within the past few months.
LP 17209 lists more than 200 titles for adults. A few titles for children and young adults are listed in the back of the catalog. LP 17144 lists 139 titles for children in grades K-4. The purchase of these titles, produced in extra- large print, was made possible by a grant from Alpha Xi Delta National Foundation and money from our patron gift fund. Please contact the library to request a copy of either catalog. Copies are limited, so please make your selections and return catalogs as soon as possible.
Why Did I Get This Book from Columbus?
In February 2008, the Indiana subregional libraries in Columbus, Evansville, and Merrillville, switched to KLAS, the same automated circulation system that TBBL has been using since 2004. Being on the same circulation system makes it possible for us to share our collections of cassette books and descriptive videos.
Before the switch, if a patron requested a book from his/her library and all copies were checked out, the title would be put on reserve and sent when a copy became available at his library. Now, if a patron from Indianapolis orders a popular title and there are no copies on the shelf, the computer will check to see if the book is available from one of the subregional libraries. If it is, the patron may receive his/her request from Columbus, Evansville, or Merrillville. If you should get a book from a library other than the one serving you, please be sure to keep the mailing card and container together so that it can be returned to the appropriate library.
Because we are able to share descriptive videos, those of you who subscribe to this service will also be getting movies from libraries other than your own. It is hoped that there will soon be a catalog listing the entire descriptive video collection, making it possible for subscribers to make specific requests.
Label It!
Judith Dixon, Consumer Relations Officer for NLS, has written a book entitled Label It!, a must-have for persons with little or no vision. The book sorts through labeling strategies that she and her friends have used through the years, and identifies the very best ideas and tips. Focusing primarily on labeling with braille, Ms. Dixon covers all the bases: clothing and accessories, medications, appliances and other items, from postage stamps to chargers and cables. She also discusses what to do when you can't label something, as well as tricks to employ when you are out and nothing is labeled. An extensive resource list at the back covers labeling materials and products.
Label It! is available for $10 in braille and as a portabook on CD or by download from the National Braille Press. Send email to orders@nbp.org or call (800) 965-8965.
Downloading Digital NLS Books
NLS has begun offering downloads of digital recorded books to any active patron, in good standing, who has purchased a commercially available digital player and who has an email address and a high speed internet connection. There is an online application at www.nlstalkingbooks.org/dtb. The download collection includes more than ten thousand books and thirteen magazines, and the collection continues to grow.
Indiana Talking Book and Braille Library Calendar
Monday September 1, 2008 Library Closed
Monday October 13, 2008 Library Closed
Tuesday November 4, 2008 Library Closed
Tuesday November 11, 2008 Library Closed
Thursday November 27, 2008 Library Closed
Friday November 28, 2008 Library Closed
Thursday December 25, 2008 Library Closed
Friday December 26, 2008 Library Closed
Indiana Insights is a publication of the Talking Book and Braille Library, Indiana State Library. Indiana Insights is available in braille or on cassette upon request. This newsletter may also be read on the Indiana State Library's web site: in.gov/library/3064.htm. and on the NFB Newsline information channel.
Any mention of products and services in Indiana Insights is for information only and does not imply endorsement.
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