Spring 2010 News from the Library Service for the Blindand Physically Handicapped (SBPH) SBPH Transfers to MichiganCommission for the Blind The Library of Michigan Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (SBPH) was officially transferred to the Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) under an executive order, which became effective October 1, 2009. All SBPH services, staff, equipment and funding moved with the program, which continues to operate from the same location in the Michigan Library and Historical Center in downtown Lansing. Pat Cannon, MCB director, advocated for the transfer after Governor Granholm announced that the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL) would be eliminated in an effort to reduce the number of state departments. Director Cannon has committed resources to SBPH for the continuance of service to all who qualify under the law. “It is my hope that we may continue to work together in a collaborative, unified effort to ensure that this transition is effective and seamless, in the best interests of SBPH and MCB customers. We are confident that the transfer poses exciting possibilities for common consumers of the agencies and could open new doors for more effective collaboration in the future.” MCB is an agency within the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG). Inside this issue: Digital Update. . . . . . . . . .2 Locally Recorded Books. . 4-5 Happy Digital Patrons.... 3 Technology Corner . . . . . . 6 Digital Update We are happy to report that digital machines and books have been issued to over 1,800 individuals in Michigan since October. With about 12,000 patrons to go, it will be 18-24 months before all have their new machines. Although we have over 1,300 titles in digital format, the cassette collection will be needed for its roughly 60,000 titles for the next few years. We urge you to continue using the cassette player as well as the digital player until the number of titles in digital can meet demand. There is no plan to convert magazines from cassette to digital for mailing purposes. Magazines in digital format can be downloaded from the NLS BARD website. See related article on page 6. Happy Digital Patrons “I received my new machine 2 weeks ago. Fearing the stress of learning new technology, I didn’t even open it until I knew I had time to deal with frustration. I opened the box, plugged it in, and like magic, it told me everything I needed to know! So simple, so ingenious! Great job by those who had the foresight to do it right the first time! . . . Please send my gratitude and, I expect, the gratitude of all blind users to who ever deserves it. I plan to take the machine to our new blind support group on January 5.” Geri Taeckens “Just a quick line to let the library know that I think NLS has done a fine job in producing the new advanced digital player. As far as easibility I think it’s great. The audio of this machine is the best I’ve ever heard. Better sounding than any of the cassette players. Updating the firmware is very easy to do for those who have a computer. . . . Congratulations on a job well done!” Raymond Rokita “Knowing that this [machine] is just coming out, I am quite pleased. I haven’t found any bugs so far. I have also found that when the battery is getting low that it tells you. It told me I had 1 hour left and is still going after 2 hours. I’m very pleased!” John George “I really appreciate the new player that I received for my talking books. I can’t tell you how much I really am going to enjoy it. I like all the features it has. It was very easy to learn how to use. I did just exactly what I was told and it’s working great. The buttons are lined up in a row and easy to use. The clarity is wonderful. Thank you very, very much! I’ve been getting talking books since I was 6 years old and I’m over 60 now. This is the best thing the government has ever done!” Beverly Hunt Volunteers Record Books of Local Interest Call 800-992-9012 to order 2009 Michigan Notable Books LM 8231 The Expeditions by Karl Iagnemma, narrated by R. Vogt LM 8232 Ravens In The Storm: A Personal History Of The 1960s Antiwar Movement by Carl Oglesby, narrated by R. Vogt LM 8234 Ninety Years Crossing Lake Michigan: The History of the Ann Arbor Car Ferries by Grant Brown, Jr., narrated by M. Donovan LM 8235 The Toledo War: The First Michigan-Ohio Rivalry by Don Faber, narrated by M. Donovan LM 8236 The Model T: A Centennial History by Robert Casey, narrated by M. Donovan LM 8237 “Jiffy” A Family Tradition: Mixing Business and Old-Fashioned Values by Cynthia Furlong Reynolds, narrated by K. Glaser LM 8238 Looking for Hickories: The Forgotten Wildness of the Rural Midwest by Tom Springer, narrated by T. Dolinar LM 8241 Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island by Patrick Livingston, narrated by R. Vogt LM 8244 Roadie: The Misunderstood World of a Bike Racer by Jamie Smith, narrated by R. Vogt LM 8246 A Picturesque Situation: Mackinac Before Photography, 1615-1860 by Brian Leigh Dunnigan, narrated by M. Donovan LM 8248 When the Church Becomes Your Party: Contemporary Gospel Music by Deborah Smith Pollard, narrated by M. Donovan LM 8250 Who’s Jim Hines? by Jean Alicia Elster, narrated by R. Vogt Books Requested by Patrons LM 8229 The Metz Fire Of 1908, Presque Isle County, Michigan by Herbert Nagel, narrated by M. Donovan LM 8230 Living A Healthy Life With Chronic Conditions by Kate Lorig et al., narrated by K. Glaser LM 8239 Draycott Legacy: Enchantment & Bridge of Dreams by Christina Skye, narrated by K. Glaser LM 8240 Draycott External: Dreams May Come & Seasons of Wishes by Christina Skye, narrated by K. Glaser LM 8242 The Lighthouse Murders by Richard Baldwin, narrated by R. Vogt LM 8243 Murder In Thin Air by Richard Baldwin, narrated by R. Vogt LM 8245 Memoirs of Elise by David L. Gurnee, narrated by K. Glaser LM 8247 A Shipment of Tarts by Edmund G. Love, narrated by R. Vogt LM 8249 Hanging On, or, How to Get Through A Depression and Enjoy Life by Edmund G. Love, narrated by R. Vogt LM 8251 The Piano Recital by Richard Baldwin, narrated by R. Vogt Narrator Andy Andersen (in photo) is introduced to the new digital studio, made possible by your donations to the Library of Michigan Foundation. Technology Corner Scott Norris, Adaptive Technology Librarian 517-373-5516 or norriss5@michigan.gov Downloading Talking Books to NLS Digital Players If you have a computer, Internet access, and an e-mail account, you can sign up to download books to your computer and transfer them to a USB thumb drive for playback on the new NLS digital talking book machine. A thumb drive plugs into the USB port located to the rear of the headphone jack. Thumb drives can be purchased for less than $10.00 from stores selling office supplies or electronics. Signing up to download NLS digital books is easy. Just go to https://nlsbard.loc.gov and click on the BARD application instructions link. Fill out the online application and submit it. You will receive a return e-mail with your user name and temporary password, usually within two business days. Currently there are over 16,000 books available for download. For more info, call Scott. Twitter SBPH Read the latest SBPH updates at www.twitter.com/lmsbph. Your comments are welcome! SBPH Computer Club 2010 The SBPH Computer Club meets on the second Saturday of each month from 10:30-12:30 in the SBPH public service area on the first floor of the Library of Michigan across from the elevators. Meetings are open to everyone no matter their computer expertise. Call to register. Computer Club Schedule Apr 10: Mobile Speak for cell phones May 8: How to Purchase a Computer Jun 12: Facebook Library of MichiganFoundation If you would like to receive future mailings and information from the Library of Michigan Foundation, please sign below and return to: Library of Michigan Foundation, P.O. Box 30159, Lansing, MI 48909 Check for further information: __Gifts and Bequests ___ Named Endowed Funds __I have included you in my will __Here is a gift of $______ to help enhance the SBPH program. Signature: _______________________________ By making a gift to the Library of Michigan Foundation, donors can help SBPH better serve thousands of visually impaired and handicapped residents across the state. Donors may also opt to provide for the Library of Michigan Foundation in their wills. By doing so, donors are able to make a larger gift than what might be possible during their lifetime, become eligible to receive tax benefits, and enjoy recognition and thanks now for their planned charitable contributions later. To make a gift of support, please send a check to the Library of Michigan Foundation, P.O. Box 30159, Lansing, MI 48909, or contact Joyce Ruttan at (517) 373-2977. The Library of Michigan Foundation is a non-profit organization which offers financial support to the MCB Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (SBPH) program How to Reach the MCB Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (SBPH) By Phone: 517-373-5614 or 1-800-992-9012 By Fax: 517-373-5685 or 1-800-726-7323 By Mail: 702 W. Kalamazoo St. P.O. Box 30007 Lansing, MI 48909 By E-Mail: sbph@michigan.gov On the Web: www.michigan.gov/sbph Online Catalog: www.michigan.gov/ordertalkingbooks The In Focus newsletter is made possible by a grant from the Capital Region Community Foundation. The Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (SBPH); Michigan Commission for the Blind; Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth, is an equal opportunity employer/ program. Alternative formats, auxiliary aids, services, and other reasonableaccommodations are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.