Dots & Decibels 2007 Summer
Vol. 11 No. 3
Dots & Decibels Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library Newsletter
Library launches eNewsletters
In our fast-paced world of ongoing communication, everyone is looking for short, easy-to-read information. The Perkins Library is working hard to give you the type of timely information you need to utilize our services most effectively. Beginning in June, 2007, the Library launched its new electronic newsletter (eNewsletter) program. This general eNewsletter is designed to keep you informed of the interesting news and announcements from the Perkins Library, and not to overwhelm you with too many emails that will keep you away from reading your books and magazines.
Email is an excellent, quick, and accessible method of communication. We have decided to take the eNewsletter concept a few steps further to enhance your information access. Over the course of the next few months, the Library will be launching other topical eNewsletter lists that you can choose to join if you are interested.
Many of you already received our first general eNewsletter if we already had your email address on file. If you didn't receive it, and you would like to, you can call or email us with your request to be added to the eNewsletter list. If you don't have email, perhaps you have a family member or friend who can receive email and share it with you. We will also include information from the eNewsletters in issues of Dots and Decibels.
PerKIDS List
A fun and informative list specifically for kids and teens with announcements, news, book reviews, contests, games, riddles, puzzles, reading recommendations, teasers, Summer Reading Program news, craft ideas, and much more.
Perkins Library Recommended Reads List
This email distribution list will provide adult readers with timely short subject bibliographies of cassette, large print, braille, and digital audio books available from the Perkins Library. Topics covered will be diverse, including fiction and nonfiction, and will provide an introductory paragraph on the subject theme, followed by a short listing of available titles and brief annotations. Book order numbers will also be included so borrowers can easily order titles of interest for their reading pleasure.
In addition, the Perkins School for the Blind is offering a bi-monthly eNewsletter, Perkins Insight, that will share news and stories that reflect the work being conducted on campus and beyond. If you would like to receive the Perkins Insight or other Library eNewsletters via email, let us know. We will continue to launch more specialized eNewsletters on specific topics including Digital Talking Book News, Braille Recommended Reads, Newsline, and a Library Advocacy list. Stay tuned for more details on how to sign up for these lists.
Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray Tours Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library and Kicks Off Summer Reading Concert
Lt. Governor Tim Murray visited the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library on June 12th and helped to launch the Library's "Catch the Beat @ Your Library" summer reading program for children and teens.
"It was great to see the partnerships Perkins has in place -- both with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and with the Library of Congress -- working together to make books on tape available to so many people with disabilities," said Murray. "I was very impressed by the efficient operation of the Perkins Library, and that 20,000 people are currently served by this free program. I was amazed that there are still tens of thousands of people eligible to use this service, but who don't realize it is here and available to them at no cost."
After touring the Library, Lt. Governor Murray opened the "Catch the Beat @ Your Library" concert. Murray said, "There is a strong tie-in between reading books and listening to music. Both books and music tell stories, and stories can take us to many new and exciting places." Lt. Governor Murray started his public service career as an elected trustee of the Worcester Public Library, and he takes that experience with him in his work all across the Commonwealth.
Nearly one hundred concert goers enjoyed the music of bluegrass band Jubilee Mule, along with an interactive book/music performance by music therapist Lisa Kynvi.
The "Catch the Beat" concert launched the Braille & Talking Book Library's Summer Reading Program (funded in part by the Library's Friends' group). The theme is the same as that used in all Massachusetts public libraries, allowing children and young adults who read materials from the Perkins Library to participate in the same program as their peers. Participants report on the books they read in braille, large print, or on tape, and then receive special prizes. At the end of the summer, top readers in all age categories are recognized and awarded prizes.
"Visiting with Perkins students, staff, and Library borrowers was a great way to kick off this year's summer reading program," said Lt. Governor Murray. "I enjoyed meeting so many people who proved that there are other ways of reading that don't have to do with sight."
Partying @ Perkins: Harry Potter Extravaganza
On July 21st, over two-hundred Perkins Library and Watertown Free Public Library patrons and Perkins School for the Blind students and staff attended a fun Harry Potter Extravaganza. The party took place on a beautiful afternoon under decorated tents on Perkins' Bradlee Field.
The festivities celebrated the simultaneous release of the braille and print editions of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (RC 64495, BR 17210), the seventh and final book in the popular Harry Potter series. Two young braille readers, Matthew Shifrin and Marisa Parker, joined Boston Celtics alum Dana Barros and Director of Player Personnel Dave Wohl to read aloud the first chapter of the new book.
The Perkins Library, Watertown Library (WFPL), and the Celtics are all dedicated to encouraging literacy and fostering a life-long love for reading. Barros and Wohl represented the Celtics' educational outreach initiative, Read to Achieve. The Deathly Hallows was available for purchase in a variety of formats at the party: in braille from National Braille Press, and in print, audio, and large print from Newtonville Books.
The party also celebrated the Catch the Beat @ Your Library Summer Reading Program. Both the Perkins Library and WFPL run this fun Summer Reading Program in which younger patrons are encouraged to learn about music and receive prizes for the books they read. Elaine Garnache, head of the WFPL Children's Department, coordinated Harry Potter trivia and magical craft projects at the party.
The Celtics represented the "catch" of the Catch the Beat theme, and party guests also enjoyed playing adapted basketball. An 18-piece roving brass band, What Cheer? Marching Brigade, highlighted the "beat" aspect. Party guests loved grooving to their rollicking tunes and learning about instruments as the band members demonstrated them one-by-one.
Wilson Farms donated two delicious giant cakes. One was decorated just like the cover of the Deathly Hollows, and one featured a "snitch," the ball used in the game Quidditch, the extremely rough but very popular sport that Harry Potter and other wizards play on flying broomsticks.
The celebration was very successful, and patrons of all ages enjoyed interacting with each other.
New Museum Discount Passes Available—Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Patrons who have enjoyed using our discount coupon to the Museum of Science or free pass to the Mystic Seaport will be pleased to learn that we have two new offerings to complement our Perkins Library Museum Pass program. Now any member of our Library can obtain museum coupons for both the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA) as well as the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. The separate passes can be reserved through the Perkins Library for each of these museums at the highly discounted rate of $5 per person for general admission to the museum.
MFA
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is one of the most comprehensive art museums in the world—the collection encompasses nearly 450,000 works of art in all media. A special "Feeling for Form" program is an opportunity for tours that allow tactile exploration of selected objects for visitors who are blind or have low vision. Another program, "Beyond the Screen", focuses on a special installation in the Asian collection and offers self-guiding materials for visitors who are blind or have low vision. In addition, the collections at the MFA are wheelchair-accessible, including the Garden Area. For additional information contact the MFA accessibility office: 617-369-3302 or access@mfa.org.
The MFA pass is a coupon program for each day of the year (except major holidays), and we can send the dated coupon, admitting two adults, to a Library patron who reserves a pass for a particular date. In addition to the $5 admission pass, holders of the passes may upgrade to a special exhibition for an additional $7 for the same day they are visiting, subject to availability. Do keep in mind that the pass does not cover the MFA parking facility; public transportation is a good cost-effective option.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
The latest addition to the pass program, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, is an intimate collection of fine and decorative art as well as a vibrant, innovative venue for contemporary artists, musicians and scholars. Housed in a stunning 15th century Venetian style palace with three stories of galleries surrounding a sun and flower filled courtyard, the Museum provides an unusual backdrop for viewing art. This collection contains more than 2,500 paintings, sculptures, tapestries, furniture, rare books, and decorative arts. If you would like to learn more about the
Gardner Museum, you may visit their website: www.gardnermuseum.org or call 617-566-1401.
The library pass allows general admission to the Gardner Museum on Tuesdays through Sundays for $5 per person. The pass admits four people on weekdays, two people on weekends, and does not include concerts, lectures or other separately ticketed events. Free audio guides as well as materials in braille are available at the Admissions and Information desks; large-print handouts are also available to borrow.
The Gardner pass must be reserved at least three weeks in advance. We will mail the pass to you for your reserved day and you need to return it as soon as you have finished using it so that it will be available for other borrowers.
To reserve passes to any of the four Museums available through the Perkins Library: Mystic Seaport, Museum of Science, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, or the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, please contact our Reference Services Librarian, Linda Rossman, 617-972-7245 or Linda.rossman@perkins.org. She will reserve the pass for the museum of your choice. We hope you enjoy our expanded museum pass program.
Getting the Word out about the Library
Did you know that the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library currently serves over 20,000 people with print disabilities throughout Massachusetts? However, population trends estimate that there are an additional 150,000 individuals and agencies who are potentially eligible for our service, but they don't realize the program is here to help them and best of all -- all of the services are free of charge. In addition to serving people who are blind or visually impaired, the Perkins Library also serves anyone with a physical disability where he/she cannot hold a book or turn pages (i.e. arthritis, cerebral palsy) or a reading disability such as dyslexia.
To help get the word out, the Perkins Library has added a new staff member, Lana Thelen, as the Deputy Director and Outreach Librarian. Lana received her Master's Degree in Library and Information Science from Simmons College last December and promptly joined the Library team a few weeks later. She has a BA in sociology from the University of California at Berkeley. Under the outreach umbrella, Lana is responsible for identifying groups and service providers who interact with potential patrons and informing them about the Library's services. She also promotes the program by developing advertisements and public service announcements for newspapers, TV and radio, exhibits at conferences, and is the new editor of Dots and Decibels.
Some of the places she has visited lately include: speaking at low vision support groups throughout the state, presenting to physical rehabilitation workers, providing an in-service for a visiting nurse's association, and exhibiting with public librarians. All of these outreach events help to increase our number of patrons, expand service use among our current patrons, and give the Library more public exposure.
"Outreach work does not just involve leaving the office, but also making connections" said Lana Thelen. One project that exemplifies this is the creation of a targeted information packet for physical and occupational therapists. Lana is working with an intern from Emerson College School of Business to design an effective brochure for people with physical disabilities, as well as appropriate promotional materials for the doctor offices. This packet will help inform service providers who interact with potentially eligible patients about the Library and how they can connect their patients with these services.
Of course, you can also help us get the word out. Do you know someone with a print disability who may benefit from our services? If so, please tell them about the Perkins Library and have them contact us. We are always happy to send information on the Library and applications for our free services to you for distribution to those you know who may benefit from the Library, or professionals such as doctors, optometrists, and physical therapists, who may connect with other potentially eligible patrons. Every effort, big or small, helps those who cannot use traditional print reconnect with reading.
For more information or to schedule a visit from our Outreach Librarian for your group or workplace, please contact Lana Thelen at 617-972-7243 or lana.thelen@perkins.org.
Attention Large Print Readers!
Do you like to read books in print but find the print too small? If you can read this newsletter, you will be happy to know that we offer a large collection of books printed in type this size or larger. The growing collection now numbers over 6,000 titles, including more than 400 children's titles. You will find many of your favorite romances, mysteries, biographies, and current bestsellers of all kinds, along with more traditional classics, westerns, and humorous books.
We provide access to large print books in collaboration with the Worcester Talking Book Library. We are pleased that this cooperative relationship enables us to offer reading materials in yet another special format.
You may build a request list from which up to two titles at a time will be sent to you on loan for four weeks. When you return these, more books will be sent. Materials come in a convenient and easy-to-use mailing pouch.
A new catalog of recently acquired large print titles has just been published. To request a copy of the catalog, or to start receiving large print services, or for more information, contact the Library.
Perkins Brailler® Repair Program
Perkins Braillers are indispensable tools for daily living and schoolwork. They are extremely durable, but sometimes they can stop working efficiently. The Library has set up a special program for individual patrons in Massachusetts to have their Perkins Brailler repaired for free. Contact the Library to make arrangements to send in your Perkins Brailler accompanied by a detailed note explaining the problem.
The Library will authorize it for repair at Howe Press at no cost to you and can send you a loaner Brailler while your unit is being repaired. When your Perkins Brailler is fixed, it will be returned to you directly from Howe Press, and you can then return the loaner machine to the Library. Contact Judi Cannon at 617-972-7646 or judi.cannon@perkins.org to arrange for your Perkins Brailler to be repaired and back to its useful status as a valuable part of your day-to-day life.
Save the Date
Join us on Thursday, November 15, 2007, for an entertaining and inspiring presentation from successful Perkins graduate, Tom Sullivan, an actor, musician and motivational speaker. He knows how to spin a captivating tale and his can-do enthusiasm leaps off the page as he writes of "the unlimited capacity of the human imagination." Sullivan, author of If You Could See What I Hear (RC 35991 and BR 2848), which was made into a Hollywood movie has written several books including his most recent, Adventures in Darkness: Memoirs of an Eleven-Year-Old Blind Boy (RC 63856). More details will follow in October via a postcard invitation.
Perkins Store Offers the Zen Stone Accessible Player
The Unabridged Project, started about a year ago, is an exciting new way to get books via computer download. Approximately 500 Perkins Library borrowers are using Unabridged to download audio books and listen to them on a small, portable player. The Muvo Mix, with 512 MB of storage capacity has worked great during the first year of the project. Many borrowers purchased a Muvo, and continue to use it very successfully.
As we all know with technology, it doesn't take long for something bigger and better to come along. The Zen Stone is the next generation Muvo technology in a very small package. Like the Muvo, it allows users to transfer downloadable audio book files from the Perkins Library's Unabridged Project, featuring audio book files from Overdrive. These files can be easily placed on the Zen Stone for convenient listening on the go. this small, 2.1 inches wide by 1.4 inches high by 0.5 inch deep portable, 0.65 oz. player is easy-to-use with a circular-shaped button panel – volume up, volume down, forward track, back track, stop and play in the center. The top has a slide button with repeat, shuffle, and skip folder settings. It has 1GB of storage (twice as much as the Muvo), and holds approximately 250 songs or 4-6 books. Its built-in rechargeable battery provides up to 10 hours of continuous playback and supports data files, MP3, Protected WMA (Unabridged files), and Audible.com formats. Best of all, the price is even less than the Muvo – the Zen Stone is sold at the Perkins Store for $43.99. You can contact the Perkins Store at 617-972-7312 or 1-877-473-7546 or shop online at www.perkinsstore.org. Large print and braille accessible directions have also been developed by Library staff.
Registered Massachusetts Library borrowers can sign up for the Unabridged Project and begin using downloadable digital audio books on the Zen Stone by contacting James Gleason at 617-972-7468 or james.gleason@perkins.org.
Other Zen Stone Accessories include:
Zen Stone Skin -- Snug, protective pouch with a clip for attaching the Zen to clothing for safekeeping. Allows tactile access to all buttons, headphone jack and USB port. Available in the same colors as the Zen Stone – black, white, red, blue and pink -- $15.99
Travel Sound 400 -- A sleek and completely portable travel speaker for book and music lovers on the move who demand high quality audio sound. Weighing less than 10 ounces (without batteries), the TravelSound 400 projects pure, powerful sound at the touch of a button, and sports an ingenious 180° swivel design, which doubles as a cover to protect the speakers and has an automatic shut-down feature. Plays up to 35 hours with 4 AAA batteries. Easily control volume with up and down buttons on the front panel -- $43.99
Universal Power Adapter -- Charge the Zen or run the Travel Sound 400 with this universal power adapter which comes with 6 interchangeable plugs for any type of electric current -- $32.99.
Results of the State Budget and Thank You to our Patrons
In the last Dots and Decibels, the Friends of the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library included an insert asking patrons to advocate for better state funding for the Library's upcoming fiscal year budget. The Library received an overwhelmingly positive response from its patrons. Through letter writing, contacting legislators, and in-person visits, patrons were able to voice their concerns over what the impact the funding cuts would have on the Perkins and Worcester libraries.
In his proposed state budget, Governor Patrick recommended cutting the Perkins Library funding by over $181,000, and the Worcester Library's funding by nearly $30,000 from the amounts recommended by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. These cuts would have had severe service impacts and would have minimized Library outreach initiatives aimed at increasing our patron base in Massachusetts.
However, with the help of patrons and the receptive ears of many Massachusetts politicians, we were able to get a portion of our funding levels reinstated. On Thursday July 12th, Governor Deval Patrick signed the Fiscal Year 2008 budget with the Perkins Library and Worcester Library funding levels at $2,203,997 and $415,000, respectively.
This great victory was achieved with the help of our many patrons' advocacy efforts. Thank you to all for taking the time to let your legislators know how important the Perkins Library is in your everyday lives.