Dots & Decibels 2010 Summer
The Newsletter of the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library
Magazines Now On Newsline
Through the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library, individuals can listen to 12 national magazines and over 300 newspapers via a touch-tone telephone through Newsline®, an on-demand or online audio news service.
Newsline has recently added several new magazines to the program including Science News. Published since 1922, this award-winning biweekly news magazine is written for science professionals and others interested in science, medicine, technology and physics.
Other magazines available include: AARP Bulletin, AARP Magazine, Diabetes Self Management, The Economist, Glamour, Mac World, Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind, Men's Journal, NARFE (National Active Retired Federal Employees) Magazine, The New Republic, The New Yorker, Parade, PC World, Popular Science, Rolling Stone, Smithsonian, Time, Time for Kids (grades 2-3), Time for Kids (grades 4-6), USA Weekend, and US Weekly.
With a wide variety of publications available for free at any time day or night, to anyone who cannot read the printed word, Newsline is a very reliable source for information on hometown and global events and breaking news stories.
Subscribers can access Newsline's full roster of publications, as well as TV listings via any touch-tone phone, over a secure, text-only Web site, or by speedy download to a digital talking book player.
Massachusetts newspapers on Newsline include the Associated Press Massachusetts, Berkshire Eagle, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Cape Cod Times, Christian Science Monitor, Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise, Lowell Sun, Nashoba Public Spirit, North Adams Transcript, Springfield Republican, United Press International – Massachusetts, Watertown Tab & Press, and Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
For more information or to sign up for Newsline, please contact the Library.
Welcome to the Newest BTBL Staff Member
Let's extend a warm welcome to the newest member of the Perkins Library team, Dolly, Director Kim Charlson's new female German Shepherd Seeing Eye dog.
Kim's loyal guide, Jubilee, retired in May after 12 years of devoted service. Jubilee is now a pet dog enjoying naps and Animal Planet at Kim's home.
Dolly is an eager and enthusiastic young dog guide and is a very welcome addition to the staff.
Choice Magazine Listening Now a Free NLS Digital Download
Reconnect with an old friend or meet a new one - Choice Magazine Listening is available for free digital download. It is available on the Library of Congress' National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) website at nlsbard.loc.gov/ma.
Produced six times a year, each issue contains unabridged works from quality publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian, Sports Illustrated, and the New Yorker.
The articles, short stories, poetry and interviews are selected from more than 100 magazines and other periodicals. The recording is human voice, not synthetic text-to-speech.
Choice continues to be available on four-track cassette tape for those who prefer that format. To subscribe to the cassette version, contact the Perkins Library.
For additional information on the digital download of Choice Magazine Listening, contact the Library at download-support@perkins.org.
Blank Cartridges Now Available for Purchase
For those borrowers using the NLS BARD download, blank cartridges for the digital talking books are now available for you to purchase.
The easiest way to purchase NLS products (the NLS digital player carrying case, mailing containers, USB cable and cartridges) is through the Perkins website www.perkinsproducts.org. If you prefer shopping by phone, you can call Adaptive Technology, a division of Perkins Products at 617-972-7373.
The cost for a 1GB blank cartridge is $10.99, and the 2GB cartridge is $11.99.
Volunteers Make a Difference! Meet Winter, Wyman and Company
For the last three years, the Perkins School for the Blind Volunteer Office has been developing a program to encourage businesses and corporations to send their employees to the Watertown campus for a one-day volunteer activity.
This has proven to be an excellent opportunity for members of a larger group to work together at the Library to make a meaningful contribution which benefits Perkins library patrons and promotes team-building within the group.
Last year we had 24 businesses and corporations participating in this program. One company that helped the Library was Winter, Wyman and Company. Thirty employees from this Waltham-based company came to Perkins as volunteers to prepare the new digital talking book machines for distribution to hundreds of patrons.
Winter, Wyman and Company volunteers helped prepare over 500 of the new digital machines in the time that theywere at Perkins. They contributed a total of 90 staff hours.
Some of the comments volunteers shared included: "This was a worthwhile experience", "I want to come back," and "it was great working together to see how our efforts can make a difference."
If your group or employer is interested in group volunteer activities at Perkins, contact Mike Cataruzolo, Volunteer Coordinator at 617-972-7224 or email volunteers@perkins.org.
Digital Books Listed in Talking Book Topics
How can you learn about new digital cartridge books available from the Perkins Library? Be sure you are receiving Talking Book Topics, which is sent out six times a year.
Audio books that are available in both cartridge (DB) and recorded cassette (RC) formats will be listed with a slash between their prefixes. Books available in only one medium will only have one prefix before the book number.
The book title is followed by the book ID number and the length of reading time for the book.
In the future, Talking Book Topics will no longer list the number of cassettes per audio book, but will instead state only the reading-time length. Please keep in mind that a single cassette holds up to six hours of play and that most books now fit on a single cartridge.
Example:
Book Title A
DB/RC 12345 1 hour 10 minutes
The patron order forms in the back of each issue of Talking Book Topics will have separate columns for the DB and RC format, and will list the book number only once. Simply mark the format for the book that you wish to recieve. If the prefix is not listed under the heading "Media Type," then the book is not available in that format.
Example:
Number Media Type
12345 __DB __RC
12346 __RC
In the example above, the book number 12346 is available only in recorded cassette format.
In the index, titles available in both media will display the prefix DB/RC before their book numbers. Titles available in only one medium will display the appropriate prefix.
Contact the Perkins Library to request your subscription to Talking Book Topics if you are not already currently receiving it. The available formats for Talking Book Topics include large print, cassette, digital download, or braille.
BTBL Staff Member Wins Award
Keystone Systems, the software vendor used by the Perkins Library, selected BTBL staff member Ron Heaton as the recipient of the 2010 Julie Klauber Award. The award is presented annually to a library staff member who has shown outstanding service to their library and the community in the spirit of Julie Klauber, who was a recognized advocate and leader in the library field.
Ron Heaton was one of four finalists for this year's award.
"He was nominated because of his commitment to getting the job done and going above and beyond the norm. This recognition for Ron is great reinforcement of his growth and commitment to working with staff and serving our readers" said Library Director Kim Charlson.
She noted that "few people would make a visit to the local U.S. Postal Service sorting station in the middle of the night to investigate why digital book containers were getting damaged in the sorting equipment. He tracked the digital books with USPS staff through the sorting process and videotaped the blue containers on the sorting line so that we could share findings with NLS (National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped) for further review."
Heaton has 22 years of service at Perkins BTBL and is the library's Warehouse Operations Manager. He is responsible for the shipping/receiving unit, book inspection, inventory management, and machine lending. He also supervises seven staff and many volunteers.
As the award winner, Heaton received a trip to the 2010 Keystone Library Automation Systems (KLAS) Users' Conference in Columbus, GA.
Boston Celtics visit Perkins for Read to Achieve Program
This spring, Boston Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck and team members Brian Scalabrine and Marquis Daniels read aloud from a print-braille copy of Keep Your Ear on the Ball by Genevieve Petrillo (BR 17046) along with three Perkins students.
In the story, Davey, a student who is blind, teaches his classmates that he can do everything they can do -- even play kickball. He reads alongside his classmates, writes on a Perkins Brailler, and uses a white cane to find his way to class independently. His classmates stop offering him help when his answer is always, "Thanks, but no thanks."
But no one wants Davey on their kickball team when he continually misses the ball. Working together, everyone comes up with a solution using auditory clues to allow Davey to play the game independently.
After the reading, students and staff asked the players everything from "How tall are you?" (Scalabrine is 6'9") to "What was your college major?" (Daniels majored in sociology) to "What is your favorite book?" (appropriately asked by Library Director Kim Charlson).
Brian Scalabrine likes to read Madeline (BRM 1417, DB/RC 44292) to his daughter. Echoing the theme of Keep Your Ear on the Ball and his own favorite childhood classic, The Little Engine That Could (BR 12016, RC 32652), Daniels offered students some encouraging advice: "Never settle -- whatever you want to be in life, go full speed towards it."
Scalabrine and his student co-readers also led the audience in the Celtics championship chant.
The reading was part of "Read to Achieve," an NBA program designed to build a lifelong love of reading in young people by providing greater access to books. Read to Achieve, supported locally by ReadBoston and corporate sponsors New England Eye Center and Aquafina.
New DVD Catalog Update Coming!
For those patrons who are enjoying audio described DVDs from the Library, the new catalog update will soon be available. These audio described DVDs are used with your own regular DVD player and your television.
Some of the new titles include Blindsight, It's Complicated, Julie & Julia and Up.
If you are interested in receiving audio described DVDs on loan from the Library, please let us know, and we will set you up.
If you already are receiving DVDs, just let us know you would like to receive the catalog and in what format you prefer, and we will mail it to you when it is back from the printers.
Catalog format choices include: large print, audio cassette, braille and email.
Locally Produced Digital Books: DBM Catalog
As the Perkins Library moves ahead on the digital transition to cartridges, the Clive W. Lacy Recording Studio is moving right along with the rest of the library.
Over the past twenty years, we have recorded over 1,000 books by Massachusetts authors, about local personalities, celebrities, regional histories, biographies, lore for children and adults, and the ever-popular sports books about the Red Sox and the New England Patriots. The studio has been making more titles available for your reading interest.
Previously, all of those titles were on cassette, but now we are working hard to convert those titles into the new digital talking book format. Robert Pierson, Studio Director, is juggling all aspects of the studio's production.
In January, Todd Smith joined the studio team to convert digital files for the new cartridge format. His technical skills have made it possible for us to convert nearly fifty titles so far, with many hundreds to go.
We are pleased to offer you an opportunity to order from the first thirty titles we have converted to the new digital cartridge format. Locally produced digital talking book titles have a DBM prefix and an item number following.
Select the digital titles that interest you on the enclosed order form and return it to the Library. You can also call in requests or email your selections.
Fiction
Consumed in Freedom's Flame: A Novel of Ireland's Struggle for Freedom 1916-1921 by Cathal Liam (DBM 1073)
Resistance to England's centuries-long oppression of Ireland erupted in Dublin's Easter Rising of 1916, and continued for five years more. Young Aran Roe O'Neill joins the rebels, fighting bravely beside such luminaries as Michael Collins and Patrick Pearse, and becoming a part of the romance, heroism, and tragedy of the Irish war for independence. Some violence.
Deadly Nightshade by Cynthia Riggs (DBM 1041)
Ninety-two-year-old poet Victoria Trumbull witnesses a body being dumped in the harbor of her native island, Martha’s Vineyard. Victoria's granddaughter, Elizabeth, and her boss, the harbormaster Domingo, retrieve the body. The three investigate islanders and wealthy visitors alike, but can't prevent another murder. Some violence and some strong language
Inauspicious Times by Appadurai Muttulingham (DBM 1059)
Indian author Muttulingam explores life's tragedies and little jokes in this collection of stories about the human experience. An immigrant father in New England faces the growing separation from his daughter. Maimoon, a Somali woman, accepts being sold into a loveless marriage. An immigrant laborer in Canada resourcefully seeks ways to save money. Subtle, often funny stories to savor.
The Poison Apples by Lily Archer (DBM 1097)
Three unhappy new girls at a posh boarding school have one important thing in common: an itch to get back at their evil step-mothers. In this wickedly funny novel, friendship just may turn out to be more happily-ever-after than family.
The Siamese Silver Pendant by Claudette L. Kiely (DBM 1078)
1955, Walden, New Hampshire. Clarissa Lapointe's life seems simple, and full of fun--picnics, sports, music, and people watching. Then, one hot summer night, she and a man meet. Instantly, they become convinced that they are soul mates, and their lives change dramatically. Forty years later, Clarissa writes the story for her soul mate to read before his death.
The Sisterhood by Michael Palmer (DBM 945)
Patients are dying in Boston Doctors Hospital. A doctor risks his career and his life to reveal why. A beautiful nurse holds the answer. Contains some strong language, some descriptions of sex and violence.
The Widow's War by Sally Gunning (DBM 990)
Cape Cod, 1761. After her husband is lost at sea, Lyddie Berry finds herself a dependent of her miserly son-in-law Nathan Clarke. Inspired by the words of attorney and woman's suffrage supporter James Otis, Lyddie challenges the terms of the will--and society--and attempts to live on her own.
Yellow: Stories by Don Lee (DBM 870)
Interconnected stories provide a portrait of the fictional town of Rosarita Bay, California, and its Asian-American community. The author is editor of the literary journal "Ploughshares." Two stories in this collection won an O.Henry Award and a Pushcart Prize.
Non-Fiction
Beating Time: A Musician's Memoir by Harry Ellis Dickson (DBM 1037)
Heartwarming anecdotes about family and friends abound in this memoir of Dickson's journey from child prodigy to award-winning leader in the Boston music community. Dickson served as Boston Symphony Orchestra's first violinist for five decades, was a conductor of the Boston Pops for 40 years, and founded the Symphony's youth concert series. A raconteur, he collected wonderful stories along the way; and he shares many of them here.
Boston Italians by Stephen Puleo (DBM 1047)
Puleo draws on memoirs, newspapers, and his own family's story to construct a moving history of Italians in Boston's North End community. He accurately and vividly covers the arrival of the first immigrants, the impact of the Depression, experiences in World War II, and the emergence of present-day Italian-Americans.
Candy Freak: A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America by Steve Almond (DBM 1046)
Yummmm. The author shares his love of candy, and takes readers along as he tours the country, hunting down today's remaining independent candy-producers. This is a tribute to them, and to the joy of Goo Goo Clusters, Pop-a-Licks, and more. Contains some strong language.
Clean to the Touch: Housekeeping for Young People with Visual Impairments by Kathy Bull (DBM 1112)
With a down-to-earth tone, clear directions, and easy-to follow techniques, this pragmatic handbook invites young people with visual impairments to master the basics of daily housekeeping. The overriding emphasis is on the need for a systematic plan for organizing each and every part of a housekeeping task and for consistency in measuring its successful completion.
First Aid/CPR/AED for the Workplace: Participant's Workbook by the American National Red Cross (DBM 1036)
This workbook is written for use by participants in the American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Program. It outlines a wide range of emergency care procedures current at the time of the book's publication.
First Aid/CPR/AED Skill Cards for Adults and Children by the American National Red Cross (DBM 1121)
These skills cards are written for use by participants in the American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Programs for adults and children. They highlight emergency care procedures current at the time of their publication.
Listen to Our Stories: Words, Pictures, and Songs by Young People with Disabilities by Linda Hillyer, editor (DBM 1094)
An anthology of wonderfully touching and inspiring stories written by children and young adults with different disabilities. Adapted from the website www.listentoourstories.com. Contributors range in age from 5 to 21.
Massachusetts Disasters: True Stories of Tragedy and Survival by Larry Pletcher (DBM 1028)
Collected here are twenty-one true tales of catastrophes from Massachusetts history which have greatly tested people's courage and impacted the state. The Spanish Influenza, the Great Molasses Flood, the Coconut Grove Fire, the sinking of the Andrea Doria, and the Blizzard of '78 are included in this compendium of floods, shipwrecks, crashes, and other disastrous events.
The Power Chick's Guide to Boston: In Their Own Words by Geri Denterlein (DBM 1021)
Denterlein, a successful public relations consultant to executives, provides clear advice for young professional women on how to gain power in Boston's professional circles. Her thorough primer includes events to attend and places to dine, as well as quotes from numerous women who are high achievers in the city.
Roger Williams by Edwin S. Gaustad (DBM 1060)
When rebel Puritan clergyman Roger Williams arrived in New England, he introduced unpopular ideas which appalled leaders there. Religious freedom, separation of church and state, respect for Native Americans, and a free judiciary would prove to be concepts fundamental to American history later; however, in 1631, they were considered heretical goals. After five years of causing turmoil at the Plymouth and Salem settlements, Williams was banished for his views. Within months, he was setting up the much more liberal colony of Rhode Island to implement his ideals.
School-to-Work: Developing Transition Portfolios for Students with Significant Disabilities by Wendy Bridgeo (DBM 1119)
Offering a user-friendly approach along with practical suggestions, this instructional book is a vital tool for assisting professionals and parents of students with significant disabilities to help the student make a smooth transition from school to work.
The Tenacity of Unreasonable Beliefs: Fundamentalism and the Fear of Truth by Solomon Schimmel (DBM 1102)
In his passionate critique of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim scriptural fundamentalism, an Israeli scholar analyzes the motives, fears, and anxieties that induce fundamendalists to cling so tenaciously to their religious beliefs.
Thanks and Have Fun Running the Country: Kids Letters to President Obama by Jory John, editor (DBM 1088)
When Barack Obama was elected president, schoolchildren around the country took pen to paper and told him what was on their minds. Collected here are dozens of their letters, which include everything from warnings about Lincoln's ghost to concerns about the economy and global warming.
The Ultimate Board Member's Book: A 1-Hour Guide to Understanding and Fulfilling Your Role and Responsibilities by Kay Sprinkel Grace (DBM 1055)
In straight-forward, easy-to-read chapters, Grace covers the mysteries of non-profit boards - how boards work and how to be an effective board member. A useful handbook for anyone starting, serving on, or working with a nonprofit board.
User Friendly Emerson: Self Reliance in Simple Words by Bill Montague (DBM 1100)
Self-Reliance is among the most important American works of the 19th century, but modern readers often find it difficult to understand. This shortened version retains the essay's timeless wisdom but makes it more accessible for today.
Children's Books
Babe Ruth and the Baseball Curse by David A. Kelly (DBM 1108)
Why did the Red Sox go 86 years between World Series victories? Was the team cursed for trading the great Babe Ruth to the Yankees? This spirited account surveys nine decades of rotten luck at Fenway Park and the glorious season of 2004 that changed everything. For grades 3-6.
Barefoot: Escape on the Underground Railroad by Pamela Duncan Edwards (DBM 1080)
Many different animals help a young runaway slave escape those seeking to capture him and find his way to freedom. For Kindergarten-grade 3.
In Plain Sight by Carol Otis Hurst (DBM 1071)
Eleven-year-old Sarah blames her stern mother when her father leaves their Massachusetts home for the California gold rush. Sarah must care for the other children and run the household once her mother takes a factory job to support the family. Rescuing her brother from a raging barn fire, Sarah is badly burned. The family moves to her grandfather's house, so that her mother can care for her. Sarah learns to love and understand her mother. For grades 4-7.
Little House by Boston Bay by Melissa Wiley (DBM 1045)
It is 1814, the young men are off fighting in the War of 1812, and Charlotte Tucker and her family are living just outside of the busy city of Boston. Charlotte loves her home. Her father runs a forge, her mother runs the house, and Charlotte and her siblings help out. There are candles to make, corncobs to husk, samplers to sew, and many adventures to be had. For grades 4-7.
Morgy's Musical Summer by Maggie Lewis (DBM 1075)
Sequel to Morgy Coast to Coast (RCM 1054). Continuing his quest to learn to play the trumpet, Morgy goes to Outlook Music Camp in Maine for the summer. His friends Byron and Clara go, too. Will there be bears? There is a bully named Damian, but also swimming, canoeing, and fun games. Morgy has many adventures in his first summer at camp. For grades 3-6.
Torchlight by Carol Otis Hurst (DBM 1076)
1854 in Westfield, Massachusetts. The town's long-time Yankee residents feel threatened by the influx of Irish immigrants. Yankee Charlotte Hodge befriends one of them, Maggie Nolan. Tensions in town rise until the girls help to calm a violent mob. For grades 4-7.
What's so Great About? ... Helen Keller by Amie Jane Leavitt (DBM 1103)
The life story of Helen Keller, the renowned deafblind writer, advocate for the disabled, and tireless supporter of the Perkins School for the Blind is simply told for young readers. Grades 6 to 9.
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Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library
Perkins School for the Blind
175 N. Beacon Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Call
617.972.7240
800.852.3133
TTY
617.972.7690
Email
Library@Perkins.org
Library Hours
Monday-Friday
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