Kansas Talking Books Library Services

Music of note: Video games for those with visual impairments

2008-06-24T14:36:00.006-05:00

With a musically inclined teenager in the house we have been looking at video games such as Rock Band and Guitar Hero. A colleague recently sent me a link to a story highlighting a college professor at the University of Nevada efforts to "modify already-existing games, to show that any game can be rendered accessible". His recent projects have been with Guitar Hero for the Wii. Check out the story at http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/06/gamelife-the--2.html
ROCK ON!!

Recent Reads

2008-05-03T16:48:00.003-05:00

The following titles were listed in the lastest issue of our newsletter, Kansas Talking Book UPDATE. Each includes an expended review.

Laced – Carol Higgins Clark – (RC 64493 INPROCESS) - Private Investigator Regan and Police Captain Jack Reilly honeymoon in their family’s ancestral homeland of Ireland. While staying in the former Hennessy Castle, turned bed and breakfast, the honeymoon is interrupted when the guest are awakened by the sound of a smoke alarm intended as a distraction to allow for the theft of a legendary lace tablecloth. Regan and Jack soon find the theft involves the elusive international jewel thieves Jane and Jack Doe and that there may be some truth to the ghost stories of May Reilly, the maker of the tablecloth who never received payment from the Hennessy’s, that haunts the castle still.

The Old Willis Place – Mary Downing Hahn – (RC 62695) – A young adult ghost story set in an old abandoned house that is said to be haunted. Although written for children, it is generally a good story of people who need to resolve issues in their life so that they can move forward.

Quickie – James Patterson – (In Process at NLS; Audio Books Music & More) – New York Police Officer, Lauren Stillwell, believes that her husband is having an affair. She decides to beat him at is own game by giving in to a co-workers advances. Her world soon spirals into chaos when her brief affair results in the murder of her co-worker and she realizes that the evidence points to her husband. She finds herself struggling between duty to her career and the need to protect herself and her husband. Patterson leads the reader on a complicated tale in which everything you see may not be as it seems.

The House – Danielle Steel – (RC 61324) – An elderly eccentric client leaves part of his fortune to his thirty-something, workaholic, tax attorney, Sarah Anderson, directing her to take time to enjoy her life and spend the money on something that matters to her rather than investing it as he had done. As Sarah works to settle his estate, she becomes intrigued with the story behind the clients spacious house (of which he used only used a few rooms in the servant’s quarters). She soon decides to purchase and renovate the long neglected home, only to find that the house has family ties. The renovation works to restore love to a house that had been neglected due to heartache and loneliness. (mild sexual content)

The Choice – Nicholas Sparks – (In process at NLS; Audio Books, Music & More) – Nicholas Sparks, like Luanne Rice, is an author for which I have a love hate relationship. I love their books, but you can’t count on them to always have a happy ending. The Choice is a heartbreaker from the beginning. Travis Parker’s reflection on once again bringing flowers to his wife at the hospital where she has worked for 10 years, in hopes that she might talk to him this time, alludes to a relationship that is in serious trouble. We all have to make difficult choices in life. Often we make promises to loved ones that later our heart questions? As Travis remembers the good and bad times of their life together and the mistakes that were made, he must decide when love is worth fighting for and when it’s time to let go.

The World is Flat: A brief history of the 21st Century – Thomas L. Friedman (RC 60317) – A look at events that have caused drastic changes in world order, business, work and social environments.

Nerd Gone Wild: A Nerd Romance – Vicki Lewis Thompson (RC 62379) – A wildly funny romance. Prior to her death, Madeline Jarrett hires a “body guard” to protect her grand-daughter from money hungry suitors. As a cover the body guard must pose as a pocket-protector wearing accountant. Set in a small town in Alaska, this book will keep you entertained. (Explicit sexual content)

Summer at Willow Lake (RC 63766), Dockside (RC 65271) Lakeshore Chronicles Series - Book 1 and Book 3 - Susan Wiggs – Good pleasant reads set in a small northeast community. Each of the books follows the development of a relationship that often gets off to a rocky start. Some implied sexual reference.

Bleeding Kansas by Sara Paretsky – (In Process with NLS; Audio Books, Music & More) – Different from her detective novels. Set outside of Lawrence, I thought it would be an enjoyable read, but mid-way through I found myself somewhat offended by central characters portrayed as narrow minded, fanatic, highly judgmental and vengeful “neighbors. There is a long waiting list for this on the Audio Books Music and More site. If you read it there or when it is available on cassette I would love to know what others think about it. (Language and sexual content)

When Joy Came to Stay and On Every Side (2nd and 3rd story in the Kingsbury Collection) – Karen Kingsbury – (RC 61115) – My favorite would have to be the second – When Joy Came to Stay – that parallels the lives of a young woman who is troubled by an earlier decision and the daughter she gave up for adoption.

Recognition for Advocacy Efforts

2008-04-23T11:50:00.002-05:00

The State Library of Kansas and the Talking Book community proudly celebrate the recognition of Michael Byington and the KABVI (Kansas Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired) Legislative Committee for their advocacy efforts related to the Kansas Talking Book Library program. Mr. Byington and the KABVI Legislative committee were nominated for the 2008 Kansas Library Association’s President’s Award.

As stated in the nominating letter:
Michael, along with the KABVI Legislative Committee, has been instrumental in the approval of State Library budget requests in support of Talking Books program during the 2006 and 2007 legislative sessions. When it was discovered that last year’s budget increase was not entered as a regular, ongoing part of the Talking Book budget, Michael and KABVI stepped forward to once again support the State Library in their request. One year’s effort can be credited as good-will, two year’s as dedication, the third year is above and beyond, demonstrating a dedication bordering on zeal.

During the past three years Michael and Ann Byington have personally provided testimony in House and Senate budget hearings. Likewise, members of the legislative committee have dedicated their time to attend the committee hearings, as well as visit with individual legislators. Michael has actively participated in Library Legislative Day activities. These efforts have made a difference for everyone in the Talking Book Library community.

Each year the KABVI Legislative Committee actively supports a variety of issues related to rights of and services for those with visual impairments. As with any organization, identified legislative issues require much time and attention during the season and beyond. We are grateful that KABVI, under the leadership of Michael Byington and President Ann Byington, has dedicated their time, energy, and support during the past three years to Talking Book proposals.

We cannot thank those who support the program enough. If you happen to talk with KABVI legislative committee members in the near future, please thank them once again for their efforts. We couldn’t have done it without them. They are deserving of recognition and accolades. Michael and Ann Byington were recognized and accepted the award at the 2008 Kansas Library Conference.

A Fun Read

2008-04-02T15:27:00.001-05:00

Books can often be a pick-me-up when we are down. That was the case with my latest reading selection suggested by a colleague at the State Library of Kansas. The book Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven (RC 62789), by Fannie Flagg had me laughing out loud – at work even. In her usual fashion, Fannie Flagg captures the spirit and voice of ordinary people. The latest in the Elmwood Springs series, octogenarian Elner Shimfissle falls off a ladder while gathering figs from the tree in her front yard. Elner ends up headed to the hospital and is pronounced DOA due to anaphylactic shock from multiple wasp stings.

News of her falling, having been taken to Kansas City by ambulance and ultimate death is quickly passed along to family and friends as is common practice in this small Missouri town. The townspeople begin gathering to share their grief, to reminisce and plan for the sendoff. Meanwhile, Elner begins her adventure as she leaves the hospital bed and walks down a long brightly lit hallway. At the end of the hall is a doorway. Upon opening it, she is greeted at the reception desk by her deceased sister (because you should be welcomed by a familiar face) and escorted to a house in a town similar to Elmwood Springs where she meets Dorothy and Raymond (sometimes referred to as the Supreme Being – but prefers simply Raymond).

Just when the reader is wondering how this pivotal character could expire mid-way through the story, Flagg invokes the Mark Twain adage – rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated. Elner's family and friends that had started the grieving process make adjustments to this exciting news and begin to reflect on past and current relationships.

The voices of the varied characters within this small town remind me a bit of those in the Mitford Series (by Jan Karon). Having grown up in rural Missouri, I think I might have even met or be related to a few. Elner is a gem. In her 80 plus years (no one knows her real age because her sister buried the family bible after their father died) Elner has touched many lives and showed them hope when none could be found. This book is a great gentle read that will bring a smile to your face, if not outright belly laughs, throughout. It is the third in the series. Now I have to go back and play catch up to get to know my friends in Elmwood Springs a little better.

Does include some mild language.

Celebration

2008-03-19T10:07:00.002-05:00

This year we will be celebrating many things in Talking Books. The program was established with a congressional act on March 3, 1931. In Kansas we celebrated the efforts that went into the creation of library services for the print impaired.

Last week the State Library launched a statewide celebration in Kansas commemorating the signing of the Pratt-Smoot Act. The celebration activities included a proclamation by Governor Sebelius, banners, news articles, radio and television interviews and celebrity readers. We are happy to say that Talking Books was joined by the Governor and other state officials, patrons, and the library community in promoting the awareness of the services that are available. If you missed the celebrity readers last week, it’s not too late; the recordings are available at http://www.skyways.org/KSL/reader. Enjoy!

Enjoy the Reading Experience

2008-03-03T08:18:00.000-06:00

Now is truly a good time to be a Talking Book user in Kansas. Things are changing fast, with new and anticipated options available that allow for a high level of customized service.

Anticipating the transition from analog to digital has been a part of my life for a while now (more than six years as the Director). Having touched and heard the prototype of the new Talking Book digital player during a visit to the National Library Service last fall made it more of a reality. This was followed shortly with the announcement of the expanded download pilot project. The catch, since the NLS digital player will not be available as part of our free service until late 2008, is that those who want to participate in the pilot must purchase their own third party player. The only NLS compatible commercial player to date is the Victor Reader Stream. However, others are in development and should be available soon.

With support of the Kansas Talking Book Advisory Council a Stream player was purchased for each of the subregional library service centers in Kansas. This allowed us to become acquainted with the nuances of the internet based delivery service and to have hands-on experience so that we could provide some technical support to new users. The commercial player is awesome. Its ease of use, sound quality and features, such as navigation by chapter, minute, and phrase, along with the long awaited sleep button, should be a part of all commercial audio players (listening to books on my mp3 player just isn’t as much fun anymore).

Many ask if the availability of direct download capabilities and commercial players will eventually diminish the need for the Talking Book Service? The resounding answer is NO. Talking Books, like any library, is more than just books and players. It is a service, it strives to meet the needs and add to the reading experience of every user. As long as there are readers, there will be a library here ready to serve. The technology just enriches the overall quality of the service and provides options that weren’t there before. Like many libraries, Kansas Talking Books is moving from a one-size-fits-all to a Jetson style level of service – you select what you want, when you want it, and it is all only a few buttons or keystrokes away.