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Category Archives: Talking Book & Braille Service (TBBS)
Talking Book and Braille Service Celebrates Volunteers
The Nebraska Library Commission’s Talking Book and Braille Service celebrated the work of our volunteers at a luncheon on April 6, 2017. Pamela Davenport, a consultant from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) in The Library of Congress, thanked the volunteers for their contributions. NLS administers a free library program of braille and audio materials circulated to eligible borrowers in the United States by postage-free mail through a national network of cooperating libraries, including the Library Commission’s Talking Book and Braille Service.
Nebraska Library Commission Director Rod Wagner presented a special recognition to three volunteers:
- Marjory Gloe, who has narrated books and magazines for twenty-five years and is known for her infectious enthusiasm.
- John Sposato, who sorts new books into sets and has volunteered for twenty years, starting in audio duplication.
- Jerry Hall, who has volunteered for fifteen years and does a variety of tasks in readers services.
Retiring volunteer narrators Cherie Frederick and Karen Boyer, who are two of the voices behind the talking books recorded here at the Nebraska Library Commission, were also recognized.
The Nebraska Library Commission’s Talking Book and Braille Service thanks all the volunteers who play an integral part in serving Nebraskans with disabilities. We provide free audiobooks and audio magazines and braille through the mail and through digital download to individuals with a visual or physical condition, or a reading disability, which limits the use of regular print. For more information see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/tbbs/. To volunteer, contact Annette Hall, Volunteer Services Coordinator, 402-471-4033, 800-742-7691, email.
Behind the Scenes: Learn about Recording Talking Books
If you have ever wondered how a book becomes a talking book, you can find out in the most recent edition of the NCB News from the Nebraska Center for the Book. The Nebraska Library Commission’s Talking Book and Braille Service creates audio versions of print materials for the use of Nebraskans with a visual or physical condition or a reading disability that limits the use of regular print. The activities of staff and volunteers throughout the process of mapping, narration, review, postproduction, markup, and duplication are described in an article in the Spring 2017 NCB News (page 9 at http://centerforthebook.nebraska.gov/docs/publications/NCBNewsSpring2017.pdf). For more information see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/tbbs/. To volunteer as a narrator, contact Annette Hall, Volunteer Services Coordinator, 402-471-4033, 800-742-7691, email.
Talking Book Advisory Committee Seeks Nominees
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 17, 2016
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Scott Scholz
402-471-6553
800-742-7691
Talking Book Advisory Committee Seeks Nominees
Two vacancies currently exist on the Advisory Committee to the Nebraska Library Commission Talking Book and Braille Service. The purpose of the committee is to represent the needs of talking book and Braille borrowers and to make recommendations concerning library policies, services, and programs. Membership consists primarily of library users but may include librarians, educators, health care providers, and others who understand the needs of individuals with disabilities. The committee normally meets twice a year.
The Talking Book and Braille Service provides free talking books, magazines, playback equipment, and Braille to any resident of Nebraska who cannot see regular print, or hold a book, or turn its pages. Books and magazines are received and returned through the mail postage-free or downloaded directly from the Internet. Persons interested in serving on the committee should contact Scott Scholz, Talking Book and Braille Service Director, 1200 N Street, Suite 120, Lincoln, NE 68508-2023. Phone: 402-471-6553 or 800-742-7691, fax: 402-471-6244, email: nlc.talkingbook@nebraska.gov. Deadline: March 20, 2017.
As Nebraska’s state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services-“bringing together people and information.”
The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission are always available on the Library Commission Website, http://nlc.nebraska.gov/publications/newsreleases.
Scott Scholz: Director of the Talking Book and Braille Service
Congratulations to Scott Scholz, who recently completed his MLS degree from the University of Missouri. Scott joined the Library Commission in 2005 to take what might be described as the perfect job for someone with his interest in reading and qualifications for recording. We are fortunate his wife Heidi found the original job posting for circulation manager that led him to us. In recent years, he has taken a leadership role on a number of NLC projects, including moving lower level operations to a new space on the first floor of the Atrium Building in 2014, helping Nebraska become the first state to convert its magazine recording program to digital format in 2010, and implementing assembly and review procedures in the TBBS studios. Currently, Scott is performing the work of two staff, as both the Acting Director of the Talking Book and Braille Service and the Circulation and Audio Production Coordinator.
Scott’s commitment to books, culture, and community makes the Talking Book and Braille Service hum, and he is a devoted advocate for Nebraskans who are unable to use traditional print. This interest started early, in Columbus, NE, where Scott was raised only two blocks from the Columbus Public Library and served as a volunteer for summer reading programs. As a young reader, he was interested in all kinds of fiction and nonfiction, from Encyclopedia Brown to science books. While working at a bookstore in high school, Scott developed an interest in music and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in music composition from the University of Denver. Scott lists authors David Foster Wallace, William S. Burroughs, and Miranda July among his current favorites, along with interests in Surrealist and Dada literature and history.
Outside of library work, Scott hosts a podcast called Words on Sounds, writes for several online publications, and runs a boutique experimental music label. Scott writes about and reviews experimental music to promote artists and connect with others who share the same passion for the underground music scene.
Scott credits Glee Nelson (the former children’s librarian at Columbus Public Library), and Kurt Cylke (former director of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped) as influences on his career path.
On the home front, Scott has been married to Heidi Uhing for 13 years and they share their residence with two dogs, Olive and Izzy, as well as some backyard chickens. As a Lincolnite, Scott appreciates what is happening in the local arts and culture community, and the ease and beauty of life in Nebraska. As a staff member of the Library Commission, we hope he stays for a very long time, because nobody could ever replace him and what he offers to our staff and to our patrons.
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NLC Staff: Meet Amanda Sweet
Meet Amanda Sweet who joined our staff in August as a Library Reader’s Advisor for our Talking Book and Braille service.
Amanda was born in Milwaukee, WI and was raised in the small town of St. Francis, near Lake Michigan. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English with an Emphasis in Publishing from Carleton College. After a brief stint with a literary agency in New York City, she decided to veer away from the making of books and shifted to the circulation of books in the library. As long as she is near a book, she is happy.
It was while working for Beyond Vision, a nonprofit that employs 85% blind and visually impaired individuals, that she began her Masters in Library and Information Science at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. At Beyond Vision she heard tell of some difficulties in raising awareness for TBBS services and she decided it was time to get more involved with the service as a whole. Here at the Commission, she loves the personal interaction she gets with patrons and will be completing her degree in December. If all else fails with the library career, she will content herself as a professional Dorito taster.
Amanda is a lifelong user of libraries and generally has at least one book in her oversized purse at all times. Some of her favorite authors include Sherman Alexie, Patricia Briggs, Dean Koontz, Richelle Mead, and many others. In her spare time she makes jewelry for the Etsy site she shares with her father- Sweetwater Creations. She lives with her boyfriend Sean and, since their move, they both have a craving for Oakland Gyros Greek Restaurant back in Milwaukee. The silver lining is that Amanda loves the people here in Lincoln as well as the new bead store/ art gallery she stumbled upon. Ideally, she would spend her entire weekend holed up with a gyro while reading, watching movies, making jewelry, and mindlessly surfing the web. We are grateful Amanda has joined us.
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Talking Book Advisory Committee Seeks Nominees
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 5, 2016
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Scott Scholz
402-471-6553
800-742-7691
Talking Book Advisory Committee Seeks Nominees
Three vacancies currently exist on the Advisory Committee to the Nebraska Library Commission Talking Book and Braille Service. The purpose of the committee is to represent the needs of talking book and Braille borrowers and to make recommendations concerning library policies, services, and programs. Membership consists primarily of library users but may include librarians, educators, health care providers, and others who understand the needs of individuals with disabilities. The committee normally meets twice a year.
The Talking Book and Braille Service provides free talking books, magazines, playback equipment, and Braille to any resident of Nebraska who cannot see regular print, or hold a book, or turn its pages. Books and magazines are received and returned through the mail postage-free or downloaded directly from the Internet. Persons interested in serving on the committee should contact Talking Book and Braille Service, 1200 N Street, Suite 120, Lincoln, NE 68508-2023. Phone: 402-471-6553 or 800-742-7691, fax: 402-471-6244, email: nlc.talkingbook@nebraska.gov. Deadline: March 15, 2016.
As the state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services, “bringing together people and information.”
###
The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission are always available on the Library Commission Website, http://nlc.nebraska.gov/publications/newsreleases.
NCompass Live: From the Basement to the West Wing: The Talking Book & Braille Service’s New Space
Join us for next week’s NCompass Live, “From the Basement to the West Wing: The Talking Book & Braille Service’s New Space”, on Wednesday, July 22, 10:00-11:00 am Central Time.
Several Nebraska Library Commission staff members and volunteers describe the long process of moving the Talking Book & Braille Service stacks, circulation, duplication and studio operations out of the basement to prime space on the first-floor and show off the results.
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- July 29 – Library Challenge: The Amazing Library Race
- Aug. 5 – The Secret Art of Patron Driven e-book Acquisition: A snapshot of cost and control
- Aug. 12 – The New Accreditation Guidelines as a Planning Tool
- Aug. 19 – Meeting the Unique Needs of Teens
- Aug. 26 – Could a Jigsaw Puzzle Tournament Be Your Next Fundraiser?
For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
One Book, One Nebraska Selection Now Ready for Talking Book Borrowers
Death Zones and Darling Spies is now available at Talking Books.
The 2015 One Book, One Nebraska selection, Death Zones and Darling Spies: Seven Years of Vietnam Reporting, is now available on cartridge directly from the Talking Book and Braille Service (TBBS). Written by Beverly Deepe Keever and narrated in our studios by Judy Hanefeldt, the book can be ordered by TBBS borrowers as DBC 760. It can also be downloaded directly from BARD, a website hosted by the Library of Congress for talking book borrowers.The book is written by a Nebraska farm girl turned journalist who became the longest-serving American correspondent covering the Vietnam War. The author earned a Pulitzer Prize nomination. With compelling prose, Beverly Deepe Keever tells personal and human stories that are matched by her insights regarding the war’s political and military strategies. She draws form interviews with generals, politicians, American marines, captured North Vietnamese soldiers, Buddhist monks, and Viet Cong officials.
Talking Book Advisory Committee Seeks Nominees
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2015
FOR MORE INFORMATION
David Oertli
402-471-4005
800-742-7691
Talking Book Advisory Committee Seeks Nominees
Four vacancies currently exist on the Advisory Committee to the Nebraska Library Commission Talking Book and Braille Service. The purpose of the committee is to represent the needs of talking book and Braille borrowers and to make recommendations concerning library policies, services, and programs. Membership consists primarily of library users but may include librarians, educators, health care providers, and others who understand the needs of individuals with disabilities. The committee normally meets twice a year.
The Talking Book and Braille Service provides free talking books, magazines, playback equipment, and Braille to any resident of Nebraska who cannot see regular print, or hold a book, or turn its pages. Books and magazines are received and returned through the mail postage-free or are downloaded directly from the Internet. Persons interested in serving on the committee should contact Talking Book and Braille Service, 1200 N Street, Suite 120, Lincoln, NE 68508-2023. Phone: 402-471-4005 or 800-742-7691, fax: 402-471-6244, email: nlc.talkingbook@nebraska.gov. Deadline: March 15.
As Nebraska’s state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services-“bringing together people and information.”
###
The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission are always available on the Library Commission website, http://nlc.nebraska.gov/publications/newsreleases.
First Nebraska-Produced Talking Book Now Downloadable
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 19, 2014
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Mary Jo Ryan
402-471-3434
800-307-2665
When the Nebraska Library Commission Talking Book and Braille Service (TBBS) recorded I Am a Man: Chief Standing Bear’s Journey for Justice, it enabled Nebraskans with a print-related disability to participate in the 2012 One Book One Nebraska statewide reading program. Now Nebraska’s recording is available for direct download to any qualifying U.S. resident through the Library of Congress’ Braille and Audio Reading Download service (BARD).
Written by Nebraska author Joe Starita and narrated by Alice Timm, this book is the first Nebraska Library Commission studio production to be offered through BARD online downloading. The book chronicles what happened when Chief Standing Bear undertook a 600-mile trek to return the body of his only son to their ancestral burial ground.
In recognition of Nebraska’s efforts, Library of Congress National Library Service Director Karen Keninger offered her congratulations, “Thank you for participating in the network-produced audiobooks on BARD pilot. I am pleased to inform you that your book . . . is now available on BARD. The posting of your book to BARD marks an important milestone in our efforts to increase the quantity of materials available on BARD.”
Launched in 2009 by the Library of Congress, BARD allows qualifying U.S. residents to download encrypted files of audio books and magazines, Braille, and music instruction materials. Materials can be accessed through home computers or through a mobile app for use with an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch device. Currently 354 Nebraskans participate in BARD—9% of TBBS borrowers—many more could be eligible (see application instructions at https://nlsbard.loc.gov/NLS/ApplicationInstructions.html). For more information see https://nlsbard.loc.gov/login/NE1A or contact nlc.talkingbook@nebraska.gov, 402-471-4038, 800-742-7691.
As Nebraska’s state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services-“bringing together people and information.”
###
The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission are always available on the Library Commission Website, http://nlc.nebraska.gov/publications/newsreleases.
Talking Book Advisory Committee Seeks Nominees
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 7, 2014
FOR MORE INFORMATION
David Oertli
402-471-4005
800-742-7691
david.oertli@nebraska.gov
Talking Book Advisory Committee Seeks Nominees
Two vacancies currently exist on the Advisory Committee to the Nebraska Library Commission Talking Book and Braille Service. The purpose of the committee is to represent the needs of talking book and Braille borrowers and to make recommendations concerning library policies, services, and programs. Membership consists primarily of library users but may include librarians, educators, health care providers, and others who understand the needs of individuals with disabilities. The committee normally meets twice a year.
The Talking Book and Braille Service provides free talking books, magazines, playback equipment, and Braille to any resident of Nebraska who cannot see regular print, or hold a book, or turn its pages. Books and magazines are received and returned through the mail postage-free or are downloaded directly from the Internet. Persons interested in serving on the committee should contact Talking Book and Braille Service, 1200 N Street, Suite 120, Lincoln, NE 68508-2023. Phone: 402-471-4005 or 800-742-7691, fax: 402-471-6244, email: nlc.talkingbook@nebraska.gov.
As Nebraska’s state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services-“bringing together people and information.”
###
The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission are always available on the Library Commission website, http://nlc.nebraska.gov/publications/newsreleases.
NCompass Live: New to Talking Book & Braille Service: Downloads and Apps!
Join us for the next NCompass Live: “New to Talking Book & Braille Service: Downloads and Apps!”, on Wednesday, November 20, 10:00-11:00 am Central Time.
There are a few new ways to read talking books. For borrowers who use computers, the National Library Service BARD website allows for downloadable books that can be used with our digital players, and for borrowers with iPhones or iPads, a new app makes reading on mobile devices a breeze! Scott Scholz, from the NLC’s Talking Book and Braille Service, will demo these new options for TBBS users.
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- Nov. 27 – Tech Talk with Michael Sauers: Excel at Rearranging Your Library
- Dec. 4 – Best New Youth Books of 2013
- Dec. 11 – Turning Your Library Around – Part 2: 4 Years Later
- Dec. 18 – To Bake or Not to Bake: Library Cake Pan Collection
- Dec. 26 (Thursday) – Tech Talk with Michael Sauers: SHOG.US – Share with Flare
For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
How to read when you’re blind
Ron McCallum was born blind. Regardless, he managed to fall in love with reading soon after. In this funny and heartfelt talk, he tours the history of reading gear for the blind and shows how each new design has impacted his life.
Professor Ron McCallum AO is one of Australia’s most respected industrial and discrimination lawyers and a prominent human rights advocate. With a long and successful career as a legal academic and teacher, in 1993 he became the first totally blind person appointed to a full professorship at any Australian university when he became Professor in Industrial Law at the University of Sydney.
He served as Dean of the University of Sydney Law School for 5 years and is now an Emeritus Professor. Ron is a leading light in the disabled community, working for equality among all Australians. He is also Chairperson of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In 2011, Ron was named Senior Australian of the Year. His interests include reading, listening to music and meditation.
TBBS Advisory Committee Meeting
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a meeting of the Advisory Committee to the Nebraska Library Commission Talking Book and Braille Service will be held 9:30 a.m. to noon, on Friday, June 7, 2013, at the Nebraska Library Commission, The Atrium, 1200 “N” Street, Suite 120, Lincoln, Nebraska which meeting will be open to the public. If special accommodations are needed for you to attend this meeting (including interpreters for the hearing impaired) contact Sue Biltoft (402) 471-4007 or (800) 307-2665.
An agenda for such meeting, kept continuously current, is available for public inspection at the Nebraska Library Commission, The Atrium, 1200 “N” Street, Suite 120, Lincoln, Nebraska and the Nebraska Library Commission Home Page, http://nlc.nebraska.gov/tbbs/agendas/.
David Oertli, Director
Talking Book and Braille Service
Talking Books: Here, Now.
Here is a short (2 minutes 20 seconds) video about talking book service to schools and, of course, to students who qualify for free talking book service.
We hope to target Nebraska school media specialists, special ed resource teachers, and students who experience a print-related disability. Hope you enjoy it. Feel free to pass it on!
Talking Book Brochures and Applications Available in Spanish
Are there Spanish-speaking individuals with a visual or physical disability in your community? These individuals might benefit from the Talking Book and Braille Service. While most talking books are in English, our collection includes materials in other languages, especially Spanish. We have a supply of Spanish application forms and brochures. Just let us know how many you could use. Call toll-free: 800-742-7691 or email: nlc.talkingbook@nebraska.gov .
Recycle Those Old TBBS Application Forms
Talking Book and Braille Service has an updated application form. Pick up the newest version at the Library Commission’s booth during the MPLA/NLA/NSLA conference or print it from our website.
Here’s an easy way to find out if an application form is the current one: on page 3 of the new application form, the second check box is for Braille and/or audio downloads (BARD). Although application forms printed in 2005 or before will still be honored, the older forms include information that may be obsolete.
Thanks for spreading the word — Reading Is For Everyone.
NCompass Live: Tech Talk with Michael Sauers: An interview with Robert Miller of The Internet Archive – Recorded Online Session
In this month’s Tech Talk Michael will be speaking with Robert Miller, Global Director of Books for the Internet Archive about just what the Internet Archive is and its current projects relating to digitizing books for public consumption.
In this monthly feature of NCompass Live, the NLC’s Technology Innovation Librarian, Michael Sauers, will discuss the tech news of the month and share new and exciting tech for your library. There will also be plenty of time in each episode for you to ask your tech questions. So, bring your questions with you, or send them in ahead of time, and Michael will have your answers.
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Now That Talking Books Are Digital: Talking Book Readers Describe a New Way of Reading
The Talking Book and Braille Service now offers books and magazines in digital formats, both downloadable and on flash cartridges for use with a digital player. Join talking book borrowers Fatos Floyd, Robert Nazarenus, Jamie Taylor, and Zoya Zeman as they share their experiences with the new format and player.
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2010: A Very Good Year for Talking Book & Braille Service
2010, a fast year, has made me feel grateful. You probably know the Talking Book and Braille Service is now in its second year of transition away from audio cassette to flash memory cartridge. Our Nebraska-based studio magazines now circulate on cartridge; though, except for Nebline, are also being offered on cassette. We are one of the first, if not the first, Library of Congress talking book library to distribute its studio magazines on cartridge. Nebraska-based magazines now circulate 50% digital and 50% cassette.
All new books from our own studios are being circulated on cartridge; and soon new Nebraska books will no longer be offered on cassette. The same will be true for new talking books from Library of Congress. Our Nebraska collection (recorded in our studios) is being transferred to cartridge. Completing this task will require several more years. Our Nebraska books and books from Library of Congress now circulated 45% digital and 55% cassette. We now have 3600 book titles on cartridge, with new titles arriving almost daily; and 59,000 titles on cassette. Still, within months, our circulation on cartridge should match or exceed that on cassette.
To the best of my knowledge, all established talking book borrowers have been contacted at least once about the new Library of Congress digital player. Most borrowers have either welcomed the new players or accepted them. They are encouraged to retain their Library of Congress cassette players until the transition is completed. All new borrowers are being set up for digital automatically. Several hundred established borrowers have postponed or declined the new players, even though they are easier to operate than the cassette players.
For borrowers who have high-speed internet access, the Library of Congress offers a web site known as BARD where audio books and magazines are available for direct download. Many borrowers are navigating BARD independently, and some are receiving help from family members. Borrowers who use BARD can download their favorite books and magazines anytime without waiting for material to arrive through the mail.
2010 has been an exciting year for talking book librarians. 2011 holds great promise!
