VOLUME 1, NUMBER 2 WINTER 2009/2010 WLBPD @ AADL NEWS Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled @ AADL (734) 327 - 4224 WLBPD@AADL.ORG DIGITAL PLAYERS The distribution of digital players and digital talking books (DB) has begun! The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) is distributing players to libraries across the U.S. on a monthly basis. All WLBPD@AADL patrons have already been placed on the waitlist for the standard player, with Veterans receiving first priority. If you are interested in receiving the advanced player with more sophisticated navigation options, please call (734) 327-4224 and ask to be switched to the advanced player waitlist. Since the allotments we have been receiving from NLS are small, we anticipate it will take several months for all of our patrons to receive a digital player. We appreciate your patience as we work to provide you with the latest technology. Please keep your cassette player until you are sure you no longer need it. You will need it for most magazine subscriptions, and for listening to any titles not yet converted to digital format. While the NLS has converted 16,000+ titles to digital format so far, it will take up to five years to complete the digital conversion of the entire NLS collection. DIGITAL BOOKS Although the NLS has converted 16,000+ titles to digital format, the WLBPD has received just over 650 titles on cartridge to date. That number is growing every week, but it will be some time before we have a wide selection of titles in DB. If you've received your digital player and are requesting digital books, please consider returning your books promptly once you've finished listening to them. This will help to ensure the greatest circulation of the limited titles we have available. CONTACT US Phone: (734) 327 - 4224 Email: wlbpd@aadl.org In Person: 343 S. Fifth Ave. Ann Arbor, MI 48104 SAVE THE DATE: WED., MAY 12 VISIONS 2010 Washtenaw Community College Learn what's new in technology and services for the blind and physically disabled. BARD = BRAILLE AND AUDIO READING DOWNLOAD All 16,000+ NLS digitally converted titles are currently accessible for searching and downloading onto commercially purchased digital cartridges, flash drives or other devices. If you're interested in downloading titles on your own to play on your digital player or another commercial player, please complete a brief online application. You may access the application and the NLS DB catalog at: https://nlsbard.loc.gov If you'd like to receive adaptive technology training, including assistance with applying for BARD or learning how to download titles from BARD independently, please stop by the Downtown Library on any Tuesday, 2 - 6 pm, or call (734) 327-4224 to make an appointment. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE AT WLBPD@AADL Braille embosser: Kurzweil translates scanned and digital text to Braille to produce a printed document. The Braille embosser can print two-sided documents and is printed in a manner that documents can be easily bound. Kurzweil and JAWS: Both Kurzweil and JAWS are text-to-speech software applications. Users are able to navigate applications using keyboard commands. Kurzweil is available on the assistive technology station located on the 2nd floor of the Downtown Library for use with the scanner and Braille embosser. JAWS is available on all AADL public computer stations at the Malletts Creek, Pittsfield, Traverwood, and West locations; and at the Downtown Library in the Youth Department and on the JAWS station in the assistive technology area. ABOUT OUR ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TRAINER Nick Wilcox is an assistive technology trainer with a computer information systems degree from Eastern Michigan University, and ten years experience in teaching adaptive technology. He specializes in accessibility of computer hardware and software for people with disabilities. Nick is now available at AADL for ten hours/week to teach staff and patrons the use of the Braille embosser/printer and the Kurzweil and JAWS text-to-speech software. ANN ARBOR/YPSILANTI READS 2010 - MICHIGAN The subject for the Jan./Feb. 2010 Read is Michigan. We hope to generate exciting conversations across our diverse communities about the stories, histories, people and events in our great state. The two finalist books in contention were 'The Living Great Lakes,' by Jerry Dennis and 'Arc of Justice,' by Kevin Boyle, with 'The Living Great Lakes' chosen as the winning title. Both titles are available on recorded cassette through the WLBPD@AADL. EVENTS OF INTEREST Sunday, Jan. 3, 2 - 3:30 pm Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room (MPR) Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Concert: Paul Keller Trio Plays The Michigan Jazz Suite Saturday, Jan. 23, 2 - 3:30 pm Downtown MPR Middle Eastern Music with Ara Topouzian Sunday, Jan. 24, 2 - 3:30 pm Downtown MPR Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Event: Martin Hershock Discusses the History of Michigan Thursday, Jan. 28, 7:30 - 8:30 pm Washtenaw Community College The 2010 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Author Jerry Dennis Discusses His Book 'The Living Great Lakes' Saturday, Jan. 30, 10 - 10:45 am Downtown Library MPR Peter Madcat Ruth Presents Folk Music For Kids (Grades K - 5 w/Adults) The award-winning musician plays America's favorite folk tunes on harmonica, guitar and many other instruments. Sunday, Feb. 7, 2 - 3:30 pm Downtown Library MPR Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Concert: Detroit-Based Jazz Group 'Giant Steps,' Featuring Allan Barnes, Pays Tribute to The Golden Age of Jazz Celebrate the state of Michigan with an afternoon of jazz! Wednesday, Feb. 10, 7 - 8 pm Malletts Creek Branch Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Book Discussion: 'The Living Great Lakes' (Grade 9 - Adult) Join us as we discuss this moving testimonial to the Great Lakes. Copies of the book are available in the talking books collection. STORYTIMES Join us for stories and songs for listeners age two to five years, accompanied by an adult. Siblings are welcome. Storytimes will occur Jan. 11 - Feb. 26 & Mar. 15 - Apr. 30. DOWNTOWN LIBRARY Tuesdays 10 - 10:30 am Wednesdays 11 - 11:30 am TRAVERWOOD BRANCH Tuesdays 11 - 11:30 am Wednesdays 6 - 6:30 pm Thursdays 10 - 10:30 am MALLETTS CREEK BRANCH Wednesdays 10 - 10:30 am PITTSFIELD BRANCH Thursdays 7 - 7:30 pm Fridays 10 - 10:30 am WLBPD LOCATION & HOURS The WLBPD collection is housed in the Downtown AADL at 343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor, at the corner of Fifth Ave. and William St. The Library is open: Mon. 10:00 am - 9:00 pm Tues.-Fri. 9:00 am - 9:00 pm Sat. 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Sun. 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm We welcome and appreciate your feedback. WASHTENAW LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND AND PHYSICALLY DISABLED (WLBPD) In Washtenaw County, this free service is now administered by the AADL, which loans: books, magazines, and videos in alternative formats (recorded cassette, Braille, descriptive video) to individuals of all ages who are certified as unable to read or use standard printed materials as a result of temporary or permanent visual or physical limitations. These materials are shipped free to your home and mailed back free to AADL. Please help us spread the word about WLBPD @ AADL. If you know someone who may be interested in finding out more information or applying for our services, please have them call (734) 327-4224 or email us at wlbpd@aadl.org. LIBRARY LOCATIONS Downtown 343 S. 5th Ave. Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Malletts Creek Branch 3090 E. Eisenhower Parkway Ann Arbor, MI 48108 Pittsfield Branch 2359 Oak Valley Dr. Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Traverwood Branch 3333 Traverwood Dr. Ann Arbor, MI 48105 West Branch 2503 Jackson Ave. Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled @ AADL 343 South Fifth Avenue Ann Arbor, MI 48104