Talking Books are a free public library service for the visually, physically, and reading disabled. The Northeast Georgia Talking Book Center is part of the Athens-Clarke County Library and the Georgia Library for Accessible Services. For more information about our service, please visit our website.

The purpose of this blog is to provide information and useful links to our patrons. The Talking Book Center does not endorse any product mentioned on this blog.



Monday, June 29, 2009

Caring Man in a Van

Caring Man in a Van is a local business offering transportation services to fulfill any need. This family-run business promises personalized service to Athens and the surrounding area. Their unmarked vans are wheelchair-accessible and personal assistance is available.

Caring Man in a Van offers same-day service or long trips by appointment. Call 706-342-1566 for more information or to schedule a trip.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Digital Outreach Schedule

The Talking Book Center staff will be touring libraries all over Northeast Georgia this fall, demonstrating the new digital Talking Book players. We hope many of our patrons will get to come see the new player and try it out before we begin distributing them later this year.

If you work at or are a resident or member of an organization that would like a digital Talking Books presentation, please call us at 1-800-531-2063 and we will be happy to schedule a demonstration.

Check the schedule below and see when we are coming to a library near you!

July 25, 11:00am - Buford Public Library
July 25, 1:00pm - Norcross Public Library

July 31, 10:30am - Eatonton-Putnam Co. Library
July 31, 12:30pm - Hancock Co. Public Library (located in Sparta)

August 4, 11:00am - Morgan Co. Public Library (located in Madison)
August 4, 1:30pm - Greene Co. Public Library (located in Greensboro)

August 14, 10:30am - Cornelia-Habersham Library
August 14, 12:30pm - Cleveland Public Library

August 15, 9:30am - Elbert Co. Public Library (located in Elberton)
August 15, 11:00am - Oglethorpe Co. Public Library (located in Lexington)

August 18, 10:30am - Winder Public Library
August 18, 1:00pm - Lawrenceville Public Library

September 4, 10:30am - Banks Co. Public Library (located in Homer)

September 19, 1:00pm - Royston Public Library

September 25, 10:30am - Duluth Public Library
September 25, 12:30pm - Elizabeth H. Williams Public Library (located in Snellville)

October 10, 10:00am - Rabun Co. Library (located in Clayton)
October 10, 12:00pm - Habersham Public Library

November 3, 11:00am - Commerce Public Library
November 3, 1:30pm - Madison Co. Library (located in Danielsville)

November 6, 10:30am - Suwanee Public Library
November 6, 12:30pm - Lilburn Public Library

November 17, 11:00am - Hart Co. Public Library (located in Hartwell)
November 17, 1:00pm - Lavonia Public Library

November 20, 10:30am - Monroe-Walton Co. Public Library
November 20, 12:30pm - O'Kelly Memorial Library (located in Loganville)

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Libraries During Recessions

The "Today Show" recently featured a piece on the importance of public libraries during difficult economic times.

Libraries typically see a huge increase in patron traffic as people come to use the resources for free entertainment and research. Free books, movies, programs, and internet connections are vital to people who have lost their jobs or had hours and wages reduced. Also, many libraries offer programs and help with job searching and resume writing - another important resource.

Sadly, public libraries are not immune when it comes time for government budget cuts. Despite the increased workload, many libraries have suffered cuts resulting in less staff, fewer open hours, and have fewer resources to purchase materials. With the high demand, this can be a frustrating situation.

To watch the "Today Show" video, please visit the following link: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/31237988#31237988

Monday, June 15, 2009

Taking Care of Aging C-1s

As we begin the transition to the new digital players, don't forget that the yellow cassette players (named "C-1") will still be around for a few more years. It will take about four years before all patrons have a digital player, and magazines will still be recorded on cassette for the next few years.

You may have noticed that your C-1 doesn't work as well as it used to, or you are having to return it for repairs more often. The Talking Book Center, as well as many other libraries across the nation, is experiencing a shortage of good players. This is because C-1s have not been manufactured since the beginning of 2007, so there are no longer new players for us to send to patrons.

The ones that we have are not aging well, and we all have to work together to make them last until the digital transition is complete. We have trained volunteers that work many hours to clean, refurbish, and repair the C-1s to keep them in the best possible shape. You can help us extend the life of your C-1 by remembering the following tips:

  • Keep your C-1 clean and dry
  • Do not eat or drink near your C-1
  • Do not allow your pets on or near your C-1
  • Do not put your C-1 near a heat or fire source (stove, heaters, cigarettes)
  • Do not write on your C-1
  • Do not take your C-1 outside

Also, if you have more than one C-1 checked out, please return the extra player to the Talking Book Center so we will have enough for all our patrons.Thank you for your help!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

BBC Reports Eating Oily Fish Can Help Macular Degeneration

BBC reported a study that found eating oily fish, which contains Omega-3 fatty acids, at least twice a week could slow or even stop the advancement of age-related macular degeneration.

This study, based on 3000 volunteers, was published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology. Macular degeneration is a disease of the eye which destroys central vision. It manifests in two forms, wet and dry. Wet MD occurs when the blood vessels rupture and leak. Dry MD does not have leaking blood vessels. Both types of macular degeneration seem to respond to Omega-3 .

If you are interested in learning more about this study, please visit the BBC website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8088860.stm. Please speak to your doctor if you think Omega-3s might be right for you.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Albany Library for the Blind Closing

The Talking Books branch in Albany, Georgia, will close on July 1, 2009, due to budget restrictions. Patrons of the Albany branch will be reassigned to other TBCs.

Patrons living in Crisp, Dooly, Dougherty, Lee, Schley, Sumter, and Worth counties will be served by the Macon branch (478-744-0840 or 800-805-7613).

Patrons living in Calhoun, Clay, Quitman, Randolph, Terrell, and Webster counties will be served by the Bainbridge branch (229-248-2680 or 800-795-2670).

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Patron Surveys

The Talking Book Center sent out Patron Surveys in April. We have received only about 50 responses out of the 1400 surveys that were mailed.

These surveys are important to us because they help us know how we can best serve our patrons - for instance, the question about if you use descriptive videos lets us know if we should allocate part of our budget for purchasing new ones, or save that money for something else.

It's not too late to send in your survey!! If you have misplaced your copy or have trouble filling it out, you are welcome to call us and give your answers over the telephone. You may call us at 1-800-531-2063 between 9am - 6pm.

Thank you!!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Booksfree.com - "NetFlix for Books"

Booksfree.com is a website where you pay a monthly subscription fee and borrow unlimited paperbacks and audio books.

These books will be mailed to you and are returned by postage-paid mail. There are several different plans you can choose from: paperbacks only, audio books only, or both. Once you have chosen the type of books you prefer, you choose how many books you would like to rent at a time.

Plans range from 2 books at a time to 15 books at a time, and the price depends on which plan you choose. After you have signed up for you plan, you build your queue. This is the list of books that you are interested in reading. Booksfree will take the first books on your list and send them to you.

You may keep the books as long as you wish, and when you are finished, you simply return the books by mail and receive the next few on your queue. You can have up to 500 books on your queue at a time. If you rent a book and would like to own it, you may do so for a small fee. You can also donate your gently used books for credit towards future purchases.

Interested in trying Booksfree? Visit their website: http://www.booksfree.com/ or call 703-748-2390.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Jitterbug Cell Phones Recalled

Many of the popular Jitterbug cell phones have recently been recalled because they may not connect to 911 services when out of cell range. These cell phones are popular with low-vision users as they have large, distinct number buttons and a clean interface.

Anyone who purchased a Jitterbug cell phone SPH-a110 or SPH-a120 is eligible for a free software upgrade. The company has been contacting customers, but if you have not contacted, please call 866-304-4980 or visit http://www.samsung.com/ for additional information.

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09744.html

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