BULLETIN BOARD

A Newsletter of the Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Spring 2008
Volume 25, Number 4

Regional Library hosts Talking Book Narrator Catherine Byers

The Milwaukee Public Library was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read grant for 2008 to help encourage reading in Milwaukee for pleasure and enlightenment, and to restore reading to the center of American culture. MPL, which houses the Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped, chose the classic novel "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston (RC 35745) to read during February and March area-wide. The NEA provided MPL with reader and teacher guides in print and on cd to share with residents, to learn more about the book specifically and reading for fun and enjoyment in general.

On Thursday, March 6th, at 2 p.m., the Wisconsin Regional Library hosted a reception in MPL's Centennial Hall, where APH Talking Book Narrator Catherine Byers, who did "Their Eyes Were Watching God" for NLS, spoke on her experiences as a narrator, and on the importance of reading.

The Wisconsin Regional Library encouraged its Milwaukee area patrons to "Get Caught Reading Zora." A bibliography, "The Big Read: a Zora Neale Hurston Booklist" was placed on our website at http://dpi.wi.gov/rll/wrlbph/big_read.html, information was placed on Newsline's Wisconsin Information Channel, and mailed & emailed invitations were sent to patrons. Reader and teacher guides on cassette, on cd, and in Braille, and copies of the bibliography in large print and e-text still are available upon request.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Wisconsin Regional Library once more is working with the statewide Summer Reading Program being offered by libraries throughout Wisconsin. This year's theme is "Catch the Reading Bug." Children interested in taking part in the summer reading program may sign up at their local public libraries, but read materials from the Regional Library. Libraries may request brailled copies of activities from the summer reading program manual by phoning Patricia Froelich at the Colorado State Library (303) 866-6908. The Regional Library has available a .jpeg file with the braille equivalent of the following phrases: "Catch the Reading Bug" and "Metamorphosis at your Library" (the statewide program for young adults). Also available is a list of themed books in alternative format. Children may request this list in large print, Braille, cassette tape or e-text format.

When users call into NewsLine, the phone number is automatically recorded and kept for 60 days. So if readers use NewsLine frequently, they do not need to use the ID and security codes after the first time. If you do not use Newsline a lot, or forget your codes, you may phone the Library for the Blind and ask that your phone number be entered on your Newsline user record. This would permit dialing in without entry of passcode or ID.

RESOURCES

The Kurzweil–National Federation of the Blind hand-held Reader has been enhanced to identify U.S. paper currency. Along with identifying a bill's denomination (one, five, ten, etc.), the new currency feature also gives the orientation of the bill (front, back, or rotated), which is useful for vending machines or other automated machines, which require that a bill be inserted with a specific orientation. The handheld Reader can be used to read your mail, a menu, a receipt, a newsletter, or just about any printed item. For more information or to purchase a Kurzweil–National Federation of the Blind Reader at a special introductory discount, call the National Federation of the Blind at (877) 708-1724.

The Association of Blind Citizens operates an Assistive Technology Fund. The Assistive Technology Fund (ATF) will provide funds to cover 50% of the retail price of adaptive devices or software. For further information, visit http://www.blindcitizens.org/assistive_tech.htm.

BOOKLIST: New Braille Books in the Wisconsin Collection. These titles are among many added to our collection during the past year:

Byron Through The Seasons: A Dene-English Story Book, by the Children of La Loche and Friends. Byron's grandfather Jonas visits Byron's classroom in La Loche, Saskatchewan, to tell the children a Tinne Indian story about the seasons. English/Chippewayan. Grades 2-4. Canadian Children's Book Centre "Our Choice" selection. Brailled by VSVH, Inc. BRW 42

Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book, by Jeanette Winter. Come dance with Don Pedro and his family, as they celebrate "Dia de los Muertos," in this unusual ABC book inspired by colorful, Mexican folk-art traditions. Includes a glossary of Spanish words and Author's Note. Print/Braille for Grades K-3. Brailled by VSVH, Inc. BRW 211

Chinese Handcuffs, by Chris Crutcher. Still troubled by his older brother's violent suicide, 18-year-old Dillon becomes deeply involved in his friend Jennifer's terrible secret--she feels she cannot tell anyone what her stepfather is doing to her. Junior & senior high readers. ALA Best Book for Young Adults 1990. Brailled by VSVH, Inc. BRW 99

The Gift of the Sacred Dog, by Paul Goble. A legend from the Great Plains Indians telling how the horse (Sacred Dog) was given by the Great Spirit to a boy seeking aid for his hungry tribe. Grades K-3. Caldecott Medal. A Reading Rainbow selection. Print/Braille. Brailled by VSVH, Inc. BRW 374

The Goblin Reservation, by Clifford D. Simak. Set on the campus of Time University [a thinly-disguised UW-Madison], where Peter Maxwell, a professor of folklore, transports home from a strange crystal planet to discover that a duplicate already returned and was killed. Aided by a Neanderthal, a ghost, and a young woman with a pet sabertooth tiger, Maxwell attempts to unravel the mystery. Brailled by the Oshkosh Correctional Institution. BRW 50

How Will We Get to the Beach? A Guessing Game Story, by Brigitte Luciani. The young reader is asked to guess what Roxanne must leave behind (ball, umbrella, book, turtle, or baby) as she tries various means of transportation to get to the beach. Grades K-3. Brailled by VBTI, Inc. BRW 253

Moja Means One: a Swahili Counting Book, by Muriel & Tom Feelings. How to count in the Swahili language of Africa. Tom Feelings won the Caldecott Medal for his wonderful illustrations. Print/Braille for preschool-first grade. Brailled by VSVH, Inc. BRW 141

Skeleton Hiccups, by Margery Cuyler. Ghost tries to help Skeleton get rid of the hiccups. Print/Braille for Grades K-3. Children's Book Award (Colorado). Volunteer State Book Award. Brailled by VSVH, Inc. BRW 194

Slave Day, by Rob Thomas. Relates the events of a southern high school's "Slave Day" auction and fund-raiser, which leads students, teachers, and even community members to rethink their approaches to life. Junior & senior high readers. Black-Eyed Susan Book Award. Nevada Young Readers Award. SCASL Book Award (South Carolina). Brailled by VSVH, Inc. BRW 121

Smack, by Melvin Burgess. After running away from their troubled homes, two English teenagers move in with a group of squatters in the port city of Bristol, and try to find ways to support their growing addiction to heroin. Junior & senior high readers. School Library Journal Best Books of the Year. Carnegie Medal. Brailled by the Oshkosh Correctional Institution. BRW 94

The Star Hyacinths: a Tale of the Hub, by James H. Schmitz. Detective Wellan Dasinger and Pilot Duomart Mines encounter dangerous opposition attempting to salvage a wreck containing a cache of the valuable gems known as star hyacinths - first from the competition, and then from the wreck itself. Also published as "The Tangled Web". Grade 1 braille. 1961. Brailled by VSVH, Inc. BRW 251

Stop Pretending: What Happened When My Big Sister Went Crazy, by Sonya Sones. A younger sister has a difficult time adjusting to life after her older sister has a mental breakdown. Grades 5-8. Evergreen Young Adult Book Award. Garden State Teen Book Award. Los Angeles Times Book Prize. Maine Student Book Award. Volunteer State Book Award. Brailled by the Oshkosh Correctional Institution. BRW 119

BULLETIN BOARD is published four times a year by the Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. It is available in large print, Braille, and audiocassette editions. The Wisconsin Regional Library makes no recommendations or endorsements concerning any products or services which may appear in this publication.

Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
813 West Wells Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233-1436
1-414-286-3045 (in Milwaukee)
1-800-242-8822 (in Wisconsin)
1-414-286-3548 (TDD)
1-414-286-3102 (FAX)
lbph@milwaukee.gov (e-mail)
http://wmbph.mpl.org/opac (on-line public access catalog)

For questions about this information, contact Shiela A. Pollock (608) 224-5395

Last updated on 3/12/2008 12:13:47 PM