The Southwest Georgia Library for Accessible Services is a part of your public library and the National Library
Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, serving Baker, Brooks, Calhoun, Clay, Colquitt, Decatur,
Dougherty, Early, Echols, Grady, Lanier, Lee, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole,
Terrell, Thomas, Webster & Worth counties.
(229) 248-2680, 1-800-795-2680, or [email protected]
Staff: Susan Whittle, Director & Subregional Librarian,
Kathy Hutchins, SWGLAS Supervisor,
Arlene Freeman, Outreach Coordinator
October 2013
Talking Books Help Blind Crafters Keep Up
Stay crafty with the Southwest Georgia Library for Accessible Services
Fifteen years after losing her sight, crafter Joyce Kane can still enjoy a good yarn,
thanks to the free reading program of the National Library Service for the Blind and
Physically Handicapped (NLS).
Kane, 61, has always loved crafting—sewing, quilting, knitting, and more. When her
children were young, she owned a yarn shop. Later, she was a regular at craft shows
and sold her work to wholesalers.
But in 1998, Kane underwent coronary bypass surgery and awoke completely blind.
Her doctors were unaware that diabetes had damaged her optic blood vessels, which
became starved for oxygen during the operation. With the help of a friend who
recorded a pattern, though, Kane relearned how to knit. She would knit all day, unravel
much of her work at night, and began again the next day until she was satisfied—and
had created a sweater. “I got back to all the things I was doing before,” said Kane.
“And I’ve learned some new things, too.” Five years ago, she started Krafters Korner,
which offers classes by conference call and e-mail to blind crafters. Today, the
Southwest Georgia Library for Accessible Services helps those like Kane keep up with
new ideas and techniques.
The Southwest Georgia Library for Accessible Services loans materials provided by
NLS to those who are blind, cannot see well enough to read standard print, or unable
to handle print books or turn pages because of a physical handicap. Computer-savvy
patrons may access books online through the Braille and Audio Reading Download
(BARD) service. The Southwest Georgia Library for Accessible Service’s collection
features many books on the art—and business—of crafting, such as The Handmade
Marketplace by Kari Chapin and Simple Crochet by Erika Knight.
To learn more about the services and materials provided by the Southwest Georgia
Library for Accessible Services, please visit www.swgrl.org/handicap.php or call
229.248.2680 or 800.795.2680 to speak with one of our knowledgeable staff
members.
Library of Congress Braille and Talking-Book Program
Releases Book Download App through Apple
People who are blind, visually impaired or have a physical disability may now
download audio and braille books to their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, if they are
registered at the Southwest Georgia Library for Accessible Services for the Library of
Congress free library service.
The Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) Mobile app is now available through
the Apple App Store. The app, which is free, allows readers to download audio and
braille books from their NLS BARD accounts. Access to BARD is provided through
local cooperating libraries. BARD contains nearly 50,000 books, magazines and music
scores in audio and braille formats, with new selections added daily.
NLS Director Karen Keninger said, “The BARD Mobile app allows searching,
downloading and reading braille and talking books and magazines on one fully
accessible, mainstream device. It’s a library in your pocket.”
She explained, “With BARD Mobile, patrons can play talking books and magazines on
their iOS devices. Patrons may also read electronic braille books, magazines and
music scores using a refreshable braille display connected to their iPhone, iPad or
iPod touch through Bluetooth.” Patrons will be able to receive their reading materials
faster and won’t have to be weighted down with bulky volumes or playback equipment.
NLS has provided free library service for people who have visual disabilities for more
than 80 years and for people with physical disabilities since 1966. Best known as the
talking-book program, NLS upgraded its analog program to digital in 2009.
“Audiobooks are provided on cartridges for use with digital playback equipment that
provides high-level navigation capability, high-quality sound and other features, which
are provided without cost to the reader,” Keninger said. “Around the same time, NLS
launched BARD, which permitted patrons who had access to high-speed Internet to
download their audiobooks, as braille readers had been doing with the Web-Braille
system since 1999. BARD now merges the two systems.
“BARD Mobile is another benchmark in our use of technology to enhance the delivery
and reading experience of NLS patrons,” Keninger said. “NLS developed the BARD
Mobile app in response to demand from our borrowers.
Blind and disabled Americans are as keen as everyone else to use mobile devices.
Our younger patrons are particularly eager to use the same gadgets as their peers.”
NLS is also working on an app for Android devices.
BARD Mobile will make reading not only more accessible, but more portable. “We
anticipate that significant numbers of readers will adopt the app as their primary
reading device,” Keninger said. “As a growing percentage of blind and disabled
Americans adopt mobile devices, the app will provide a highly valued avenue to NLS
materials.”
Eligible users may even find the free braille and talking-book program more attractive.
Please contact the Southwest Georgia Library for Accessible Services to learn more
about this program. The Southwest Georgia Library for Accessible Services is excited
about the opportunity BARD Mobile brings to our community.
Tips for Extending the Life of Your NLS Digital Player
 Whenever possible, it is best to leave your digital player plugged into a working
power outlet.
 When listening to your player while it’s on battery power, NEVER LET IT RUN
ALL THE WAY DOWN! Especially in the older players, if the battery runs down
below a certain minimal charge, it will not recharge.
 If you hear the announcement, “Battery Low,” plug the player into a working
power outlet and allow it to recharge for at least three hours before turning it
back on. After a lot of use, the player may not recharge back to the full “over 29
hours.” This is normal and does not require the player to be returned.
 If you plan to read a book while going to sleep, use the crescent moon “Sleep”
control. Touching sleep control up to 4 times in a row will allow a maximum of
one hour’s use before the player turns off.
 Remember: commercial USB drives use much more power than NLS digital
cartridges. Using a commercial USB drive will reduce the battery’s actual
playing time by as much as ten hours. It may tell you there are “more than 29
hours” of charge left, but only provide 18 or 19 hours of actual playing time.
Southwest Georgia Library
For Accessible Services
Southwest Georgia Regional Library
301 South Monroe Street
Bainbridge, GA 39819
Free Reading Matter
F/T Blind & Handicapped
U. S. Mail
Do Not Cancel
Hours:
Monday 9am to 8pm
Tuesday 9am to 6pm
Wednesday 9am to 6pm
Thursday 9am to 7 pm
Friday 9am to 6 pm
Saturday 9am to 4 pm
Phone: (229) 248-2680
1-800-795-2680
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 229-248-2670
Take a tour & checkout training
material at The Southwest Georgia
Library for Accessible Services by
clicking on
www.swgrl.org/handicap.php
Information presented in this newsletter will be provided in alternative formats upon
request.
Online Catalog for ordering library books: http://webopac.klas.com/glass
Call the library for your log-in and password.
NOTE: Please submit information or news that you would like to share to Kathy
Hutchins or Arlene Freeman.