NLS System Outage

Many parts of the National Library System and Talking Books Service will be down for maintenance this weekend. Here is the official word from NLS:

All data systems and websites at the Library of Congress will be unavailable from 5:00 p.m. Friday, April 29, 2011, through 6:00 a.m. Monday, May 2, 2011, because of equip­ment maintenance. All times are EST.



The services affected include:



· The main Library of Congress web page at www.loc.gov

· The main NLS web page at www.loc.gov/nls or nls.loc.gov

· Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD)

· Web-Braille

· Digital transition information

· The Library of Congress main catalog (Voyager)



Access to these services should be available after 6:00 a.m. on Monday. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience.

APH Offers "Readers Digest" and "Newsweek"

American Printing House for the Blind is now offering a free download of "Reader's Digest" and "Newsweek" to Talking Book BARD users.

To learn more about this service and instructions for using it, please visit: http://tech.aph.org/mags/.

Books for Keeps Press Release

Friday, April 15, 2011

Writer/Contact: Anisa Sullivan Jimenez
706/546-7721, ext. 18271, jimenezan@clarke.k12.ga.us

Books for Keeps Contact:
Melaney Smith, givethembooks@gmail.com



Clarke County School District to Receive Over 16,000 Books From Books for Keeps

Athens, Ga. – Athens non-profit Books for Keeps is preparing to distribute over 16,000 books to students at Alps Road Elementary School, Fowler Drive Elementary School, Stroud Elementary School and Clarke Middle School in May. The program launched at Alps in 2009, and has now expanded to include several additional schools that will benefit from the local program.

“Books for Keeps started as an effort to help one little girl who loved to read, but didn’t own a single book. It quickly grew into a grassroots movement to end summer slide in Athens,” said Books for Keeps founder Melaney Smith.

Smith utilized a University of Tennessee study when designing the 2011 Books for Keeps program. The study found that giving economically-disadvantaged elementary school children 12 books at the beginning of summer had an impact on reading achievement comparable to attending summer school.

Books for Keeps will distribute 12 books per child to all elementary school students at Alps, Fowler Drive and Stroud Elementary Schools this May – a total of around 12,000 books. Media are invited to attend the May 10 book distribution event at Fowler Drive Elementary School. In addition, nearly 3,000 Clarke Middle School students will receive books. Also, Clarke Central High School already gave away nearly 1,000 Books for Keeps books to students in English Literature Classes.

“Melaney Smith shows that one person can make a real difference,” said Superintendent Philip Lanoue. “Her program embodies what it means for a community to come together to support its schools. We are deeply appreciative of all her efforts.”

Smith collected the books primarily from book drives and through used book donations. She has received donations from across the United States and Canada. In addition to the books, all elementary school students will receive a tote bag, awarded from a grant by the Kenneth and Mildred Gammons Foundation.

“To succeed, Books for Keeps must provide high interest books – the books kids most want to read and will read, with no encouragement from parents or teachers,” said Smith. “For this, we rely on the generosity of our local community and beyond to provide books that will help children cultivate a lifelong interest and enjoyment of reading.”

Books for Keeps works to improve reading achievement in children, by addressing causes related to the accessibility and appeal of reading material. The organization provides books and other reading material to children whose reading opportunities outside of school might otherwise be limited due to income, geography or other factors. Books for Keeps fosters a love of reading and encourages recreational reading by providing enjoyable reading material to develop and maintain reading skills that will benefit a child throughout his or her education. For more information, visit www.booksforkeeps.org.

With 21 schools and over 12,000 students, the Clarke County School District offers students both diversity and a culture of academic excellence. The district was recognized as Georgia’s top school district for closing the achievement gap. All elementary and middle schools made 2010 Adequate Yearly Progress, the state’s measure of achievement under No Child Left Behind. Both traditional high schools are ranked in the top 6% of public high schools nationwide by Newsweek magazine. For more information, visit www.clarke.k12.ga.us.
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1-800 Phone Number Working

The 1-800 phone number for the Talking Book Center has been switched to the Oconee County Library and should be fully operational. You may now use 1-800-531-2063 for calling in your Talking Book requests and questions!

Georgia Statewide Coalition on Blindness

Here is an announcement from the Georgia Coalition on Blindness:

Georgia Statewide Coalition on Blindness

Meeting Announcement

Savannah Subregional Library

Live Oak Public Libraries

14097 Abercorn Street

912-925-7774

1-800-342-4455

Savannah, GA



Friday, April 29th

Friday Evening Social

5:30 pm – Olive Garden

11333 Abercorn St
Savannah , GA 31419

(912) 961-9009

Meet at the restaurant no later than 5:30 pm. We must be seated by 5:30 pm.



Suggested Lodging:

Days Inn

11750 Abercorn Street
Call for reservations (912) 927-7720
Continental breakfast 6:00 am to 10:00 am: waffles, sausage, gravy, biscuits, eggs, fruit, etc.


The Coalition room rate of $52.00 per night plus 13% tax will be available until March 29, 2011. Call now to make your reservations. You may reserve up to three (3) days at this rate. Make sure you say you are with the Statewide Coalition on Blindness to obtain the Group Rate.



Registration Cost:

$10 registration for everyone that includes coffee and lunch. Thank you to the Blind Vendors from the Savannah Business Enterprise Program for providing the food and drinks.



Everyone will pay $10 whether they eat or not. CASH ONLY. No checks, credit or debit cards accepted. No exceptions.



VERY IMPORTANT:

Please call or email Alice Ritchhart and let her know (alice.ritchhart@comcast.net or phone 912.996.4213) of your attendance for an accurate food count no later than April 26th



Interpreter services need to be requested by Friday, April 8th. Contact Bob Green at Robert.Green@dol.state.ga.us and copy Ronni.Wilson@dol.state.ga.us to make your request. If cancellation is needed, contact Bob Green no later than April 15th to cancel or you will be billed for this service.








Georgia Statewide Coalition on Blindness
Saturday, April 30th, 2011

Savannah Subregional Library

Live Oak Public Libraries

14097 Abercorn Street

912-925-7774

1-800-342-4455

Savannah, GA



Agenda



8:30 - 9:00

Registration – Kathy Segers, DJ Grenevitch,

Jae Cosby and VR will assist with registration



9:00 - 9:20

Welcome & Introductions – Jim King and Valerie Leighton, moderators

Yovancha Samuels, VR Regional Director for Savannah region



9:20 – 9:30

Barbara Hurst - recognition for her transportation efforts and work



9:30 - 9:45

Stella Cone, Georgia Library for Accessible Services update



9:45 -10:15

Kay McGill - Update on Project Independence : Georgia Vision Program for Seniors along with Older Blind Providers



10:15 -11:30

Paul Raymond - Update on Vocational Rehabilitation, BEP, GIB along with Providers to VR services



11:30 -11:45

Stephanie Scott Nelson, Alice Ritchhart & Marsha Farrow - Legislative Update



11:45 -12:15

Discussion on the history, purpose, structure and meaning of Coalition – a renewed commitment and energy. We need your input.





12:15 -1:00 Lunch



1:00-2:00 Break Out I (Choose one)

Employment or Transportation

o Transportation – Singe Tyson, Robert Smith, Alice Ritchhart

o Employment – Teresa Brenner, Anisio Correia



2:00 -2:15

Break – move to next session



2:15 -3:15 Break Out II (choose one)

Education or Policy

o Education – Kathy Segers, Garrick Scott

o Policy – Alice Ritchhart, Robert Smith, Stephanie Scott Nelson, Marsha Farrow



3:15 - 4:15 Committee Reports



4:15-4:30

Next Meeting in Atlanta

Announcements



4:30 Adjourn

Local Phone Number for TBC

We are still waiting for the 1-800 phone number to switch to the Oconee Library, so we have a local number in place. You can reach us at 706-310-3650 until the toll-free number is ported over from the Athens Library. You can also leave a message on the 1-800 number and we will try to check it several times a week.

TBC Move Update

The Talking Book Center has moved to the Oconee County Library. While we are here, we will be using our toll-free telephone number: 1-800-531-2063. However, we are having techinical difficulties moving the number from the Athens Library to the Oconee Library, so right now it's hard to reach us by phone. If you need to reach us this week, email is the best way. You can email us at talkingbooks@athenslibrary.org. We hope to have the phone number connected quickly!

Talking Books Center Closed Monday

This is a reminder that the Talking Books Center will be closed this coming Monday, April 18, while we move from the Athens-Clarke County Library to the Oconee County Library. We expect to be open our normal business hours of 9am - 6pm on Tuesday. While we are in Oconee County, you can contact us on our toll-free number (1-800-531-2063) or by email (talkingbooks@athenslibrary.org).

Popularity of Culinary Mysteries

Yesterday, CNN.com ran an article about the popular of culinary mysteries, exploring the bond between murder and food. Culinary mysteries such as the series by Diane Mott Davidson, Katherine Hall Page, and Denise Swanson often contain the recipes for the foods prepared in their books.

To read the article, please visit: www.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/04/13/culinary.mysteries.gain.popularity/index.html?hpt=Sbin. If you are interested in reading some culinary mysteries, please contact the Talking Book Center at 1-800-531-2063 and we'll be happy to add some to your reading list!

Training Service Dogs in Athens

This weekend's Athens Banner-Herald ran a great story about the increasing number of service dogs being socialized and trained by University of Georgia students. Training dogs are frequently seen in stores, at events, and around town in Athens. Read the article here: www.onlineathens.com/stories/040911/new_812615819.shtml

Barrow Co. Health Department Damaged

The Barrow County Health Department was damaged Tuesday when the storm that blew through Georgia pulled part of the roof off the building. The building will be closed for at least two weeks while repairs are done.

People who need health services may visit health departments in neighboring counties. If you are a Barrow County resident and need information, the Health Department has established a temporary information line. You can reach it at 706-369-6351.

Source: Athens Banner-Herald www.onlineathens.com/stories/040811/new_811989869.shtml

If You Like.....John Grisham

You might like books by these other leagal/mystery authors:

• Steve Martini
  
• Lisa Scottoline
  
• David Baldacci
  
• Stuart Woods
  
• Jeffery Deaver
  
• Linda Fairstein
  
• Ed McBain
  
• Earle Stanley Gardener
  

TBC Closed April 18

The Talking Book Center will be closed Monday, April 18 while we move from the Athens-Clarke County Library to the Oconee Library. After the 18th, you can reach us on our toll-free number - 1-800-531-2063. Please call us with any book requests or questions you may have!

New ADA Rules in Effect

An email from the White House Disability Group:

Justice Department’s New ADA Rules Go into Effect on March 15, 2011

WASHINGTON – Revised regulations implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will take effect March 15, 2011, the Department of Justice announced. The revised rules are the department’s first major revision of its guidance on accessibility in 20 years.

The regulations apply to the activities of more than 80,000 units of state and local government and more than seven million places of public accommodation, including stores, restaurants, shopping malls, libraries, museums, sporting arenas, movie theaters, doctors’ and dentists’ offices, hotels, jails and prisons, polling places, and emergency preparedness shelters. The rules were signed by Attorney General Eric Holder on July 23, 2010, and the official text was published in the Federal Register on September 15, 2010.

The department is also releasing a new document, “ADA Update: A Primer for Small Business,” to help small businesses understand the new and updated accessibility requirements. In addition, the department is announcing the release of a new publication explaining when the various provisions of its amended regulations will take effect. Both documents will be available tomorrow on the department’s ADA website, www.ada.gov.

“The new rules usher in a new day for the more than 50 million individuals with disabilities in this country,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. “The rules will expand accessibility in a number of areas and, for the first time, provide detailed guidance on how to make recreation facilities, including parks and swimming pools, accessible.”

The new ADA rules adopt the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, which have been retooled to be more user-friendly for building code officials, builders, and architects, and have been harmonized with state and local accessibility codes. The 2010 standards also include, for the first time, standards on making swimming pools, parks, golf courses, boating facilities, exercise clubs, and other recreation facilities accessible for individuals with disabilities. Entities covered by the ADA have until March 15, 2012 to comply with the 2010 Standards. In addition to adopting the new ADA 2010 Standards, the amended regulations contain many new or expanded provisions on general nondiscrimination policies, including the use of service animals, the use of wheelchairs and other power-driven mobility devices, selling tickets for wheelchair-accessible seating at sports and performance venues, reserving and guaranteeing accessible rooms at hotels, providing interpreter services through video conferencing, and the effect of the new regulations on existing facilities. The compliance date for the all the new nondiscrimination provisions, except for those on hotel reservations, is March 15, 2011. Compliance with the hotel reservation provisions is not required until March 15, 2012.

“ADA Update” and “ADA 2010 Revised Requirements: Effective Date/Compliance Date” are the first of several planned publications aimed at helping businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and state and local governments understand their obligations under the amended Title II and Title III regulations. Individual print copies of the Effective Date/Compliance Date publication can be ordered from the ADA Information Line (800-514-0301 voice or 800-514-0383 TTY).

For more information about the ADA, call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TTY), or access the department’s ADA website at www.ada.gov.