LIBRARY LINE
LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED
THE FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA
Summer 2016
A Message from Keri’s Desk
It seems as though there is so little time between newsletters, but when I look at
the number of books I have read, I realize time just flies by! For anyone new to
our newsletter, I usually read fiction books using BARD (Braille and Audio Reading
Download) and Audible. I do read nonfiction as well, but print works better
because I am generous with a highlighter pen.
Well, I just finished a cozy little mystery by Ellery Adams called Murder in the
Mystery Suite. It is not available through BARD, but I used it to “cleanse” my
mental palate from my hearty thrillers-and-killers books.
Here is the list I’ve recently read and recommend to all:
Mean Streak by Sandra Brown (DB79212)
Newcomer by Robyn Carr (DB77165)
The Bazaar of Bad Dreams by Stephen King (DB83324)
The Footprints of God (DB58942) and Dead Sleep
(DB54133) by Greg Iles
The 14th Colony by Steve Berry (DB84105)
This is what I have next on my book shelf:
Still Life with Crows by Douglas Preston and
Lincoln Child (DB57038, BR14950)
Big Red Tequila by Rick Riordan (TxCBT6485)
The Genius by Jesse Kellerman (DB67169)
Have a wonderful summer. Don’t forget we have many books on gardening,
recreation, and politics if you’re bored in the heat. (I know it will be here soon!)
Your dedicated administrator and librarian,
Keri Wilkins
1
High-Volume Player and Headphones
The National Library Service (NLS) has developed a high-volume version
of the digital talking-book machine for use by customers who are hearing
impaired. The high-volume player, which is paired with a headset, is
available as a standard or advanced model that has been programmed to
have an amplified volume up to 120 dB (decibels). It can be issued only
by NLS and will have a warning label. The high-volume feature only works
with the set of stereo headphones NLS provides. The pairing replaces the
amplifier/headset accessory LBPH provided in the past.
To receive a high-volume player and headset, you must provide certification
of hearing impairment by a physician or audiologist. You can download a
high-volume player application from loc.gov/nls/pdf/hvp.pdf and return
a completed and signed application to the NLS equipment control officer
(ECO) via email at [email protected] or fax at 202-707-0712.
You should return your current player upon receipt of a high-volume player
and headset. A return label will be included with the high-volume player for
your convenience.
NLS Music Division
Did you know that as an LBPH customer you have access to more than
30,000 music scores, instruction materials, and music-appreciation books in
Braille, large print, and audio?
Sheet music is available in both Braille and large print, and biographies and
other books about popular and classical musicians are available in large
print or audio. The collection is also available on BARD, and NLS will transfer
books to digital cartridge for any customer upon request. Subjects include
music theory and appreciation; interviews; master classes, opera lectures,
and music history; and biographical sketches of pop, jazz, and classical
musicians with examples of their art. Music instruction in playing various
instruments includes lessons for guitar, piano, organ, and recorder.
To access the collection, visit nlscatalog.loc.gov. To place orders for any of
these materials, call NLS directly at 800-424-8567.
2
The NLS Commercial Audiobook Program
As of January 2016, NLS has agreements with five major publishers—
Hachette; Macmillan; Penguin Random House; Scholastic; and Audible,
Inc.—to convert unabridged, high-quality commercial audiobook titles to
the NLS digital talking-book format. This gives LBPH customers access
to many more books, and the books are now available more quickly. It
reduces the cost for NLS and helps customers stay up to date. The books
are now available on the BARD site much closer to the time the print
books are published.
Tactile Graphics in Books
NLS has continued its steady expansion of tactile graphics in its Braille
books. While cost has been a factor in providing tactile graphics,
their capacity to convey information that is difficult or impossible to
communicate in other ways has led to an increase in their use in NLSproduced books.Producing tactile graphics is time consuming. Designers
must consider how to simplify and redesign existing graphics for the
needs of Braille readers. Similarly, while the production process no longer
relies on plates and printing presses, the digital design, preparation of
the master, and the making of the copies of the master that are used
in the Braille thermoforming process are involved and labor intensive.
This complexity leads to a production cycle of four to six months from
inception to completion of a Braille book with tactile graphics.
Donations, Memorials, and Bequests
Would you like to be part of the Friends of the Library for the Blind and
Physically Handicapped?
Donations to the Friends of LBPH are accepted at any time and are
used to enhance and improve library services. Checks should be made
payable to the Friends of the LBPH and sent to:
Friends of LBPH, 919 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
For your convenience, donations can also be made online at
freelibrary.org/support.
Be sure to direct your gift to “My NeighborhoodLibrary” and choose
Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in the drop-down menu.
3
Library Line is written and edited by staff of the Library for the Blind and
Physically Handicapped of the Free Library of Philadelphia. It is available in
alternative formats upon request.
Library Hours
Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Contact Us
ADDRESS
Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Free Library of Philadelphia
919 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
PHONE
215-683-3213 | 800-222-1754
FAX 215-683-3211
EMAIL [email protected]
WEBSITE freelibrary.org/lbph
Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Free Library of Philadelphia
919 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Free Matter for the
Blind and Physically
Handicapped
Return Service Requested
possi
bility
Empowering customers
through accesible services