Marilyn
Stevenson
Logan
Allen
Newsletter
of the Pinellas Talking Book Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
The
Pinellas Talking Book Library has now moved to its new location in Clearwater.
Our Grand Opening on Sunday, May 7 was a great success. Several distinguished
guests where able to attend, including Barrette Wilkins, State Librarian, and
Linda Redmond from the National Library Service/Library of Congress. We were
pleased so many patrons were also able to join our celebration.
As
with any major change, we had a few glitches along the way. But we are now open
for business, and welcome all to stop by the library for a tour of the new
facility and to meet the staff. We have a browsing area, two CCTV’s and two
computers for use by registered patrons, as well as sports equipment for the
disabled. If you would like to pick up books while you are here, call ahead of
time and we’ll have them ready for you.
Our
new address is: 1330 Cleveland Street
Clearwater, FL 33755-5103
New
telephone numbers: 441-9958 (Main
number)
441-3168 (TDD number)
441-9068 (Fax number)
Please keep these numbers handy.
LIBRARY ADDS ACCESSIBLE
WORK-STATIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
The
St. Petersburg Public Library has broadened access to its print and electronic
resources by adding two computer workstations outfitted for people with visual,
physical, or reading disabilities.
The
city of St. Petersburg’s Committee to Advocate for Persons with Impairments (CAPI)
researched and funded the $21,000 adaptive technology (AT) project, which
empowers users with disabilities to modify, enhance, or convert information into
preferred formats such as braille, audio, or large print displays on a computer
screen.
The
workstations are located in the reference department of Main Library, 3745 Ninth
Ave. N., and provide access to the Internet, library catalog, and software
applications such as word processing. Reference librarians have received
training on the new equipment and accessibility concepts; they will assist users
who are unfamiliar with adaptive computing or the organization of the library.
“The
accessible workstations advance our goal of making the library inclusive of the
entire community we serve,” said Library Director Mary Brown.
Able-bodied
users are welcome to reserve the workstations. As is the case with many AT
advancements user groups beyond people with disabilities can benefit from
accessibility features. Screen reading with text highlighting, for example,
allows those who are learning English to see words as they are pronounced.
Twenty-four
percent of Americans with disabilities own computers compared with the national
average of over 50, and 10 percent use the Internet as compared with the
national average of 38, according to figures from the Disability Statistics
Center at the University of California, San Francisco.
For
more information or to reserve time on the workstations contact the St.
Petersburg Public Library reference department at 893-7928.
(Submitted by R. Greg Carlson, Outreach Coordinator, St. Petersburg Public Library System)
Can
we inspire any of you to do a little spring-cleaning and return those talking
books that you still haven’t gotten around to reading? Other people may be
waiting anxiously for them. Don’t worry – we can reissue them to you at any
time. Have your books accumulated because we are sending titles that don’t
interest you? Please give us a call so that we can change your “reading
profile” to more closely match your interests.
Are
we sending too many books at one time? Recent refinements with our computer
system may correct this problem. However, if you continue to receive too many
books (or not enough), please contact your Reader Advisor. Logan Allen is the
Reader Advisor for patrons whose last names begin A – L; Marianne Morawetz
serves patrons whose last names begin M – Z.
CORRECTION:
In
the last newsletter, there was a listing of books regarding politics and
politicians. One of the RC numbers given was for the Spanish edition of the book
General H. Norman Schwarzkopf. The English version of this book is RC
35557 It Doesn’t Take a Hero. We are sorry for any confusion
this may have caused.
Associated
Service for the Blind in Philadelphia, PA has available several recorded
magazines that may be of interest to you. There is a subscription charge for
each of these magazines—please contact them directly for prices and a complete
listing of titles available:
ASB
919 Walnut Street
Philadelphia,
PA 19107
Telephone:
(215) 627-0600 ext 3208
Some
of the selections available include:
Popular
Mechanics
Computers
Popular
Science
Discovery
Smithsonian
Magazine
Family Circle
Trains
Magazine
Radio Digest
Organic
Gardening
Science News
Scientific
American
Skeptical Inquirer
Anthropology/Archeology
Fortune
Science
and Medicine
Forbes
Many
of you have requested music tapes, which unfortunately are not available through
our library. Recordings for Recovery, a non-profit organization, has music tapes
for individuals with disabilities. There is a $10.00 membership fee. Each order
5103 Eastman Place, Suite 101
P O Box 270
Midland, MI 48640-0270
(517) 832-0784
(All information concerning other organizations is given for information purposes only. The Pinellas Talking Book Library is not responsible for the quality or customer satisfaction of these products or businesses.)
The
public television station WEDU has made available several programs with the
Descriptive Service for those with televisions that have this option. Regularly
scheduled programs include: American Experience, Mystery, Nature, and Science:
American Frontiers. Please consult your local TV Guide for the channel of your
public television station.
And
don’t forget:
the Pinellas Talking Book Library has over 200 DVS movies available for your
enjoyment. For a current listing of titles or to order a movie, call your Reader
Advisor at our new phone number: 441-9958.
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Marilyn
Stevenson
Logan
AllenLibrarian
Library Assistant
stevenm@tblc.org
allenl@tblc.org
Assistant
Librarian
Library Assistant
lapoinb@tblc.org
morawem@tblc.org
Office Manager Receptionist
griffir@tblc.org
You
may reach us Monday—Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(727)
441-9958
(727)
441-3168 TDD
(727)
441-9068 FAX
Pinellas
Talking
Book
FREE Matter FOR THE
1330 Cleveland
Street
BLIND OR HANDICAPPED
Clearwater, FL 33755-5103