THE LUA LEDGER LIBRARY USERS OF AMERICA, INC. SUMMER 2005 President: Barry Levine Editor: Judi Cannon Treasurer: Patricia "Pat" Price PRODUCED IN Braille, Large Print, Cassette or Email FIND US ON THE WEB AT http://libraryusers.tripod.com Library Users of America, Inc. is a Special Interest Affiliate of the American Council of the Blind CONTACT US: President: Barry Levine Functional Therapy & Rehabilitation, P.C. 14301 Golden Oak Drive Homer Glen, IL 60441 708-645-7700 barry@functionaltherapy.net Editor: Judi Cannon 20 Riverside St., Unit 2-8 Watertown, MA 02472 617-924-6099 cannonja22@comcast.net Treasurer: Patricia "Pat" Price 5707 Brockton Drive, No. 302 Indianapolis, IN 46220-5481 317-254-1185 Fax: 317-251-6588 pprice@indy.rr.com IN THIS ISSUE EDITOR’S PAGE By Judi Cannon ………………………………. 4 SUMMER SHOULD PROVIDE PLENTY OF STORIES By Carol Memmott …………………………………………… 5 GOOGLING THE FUTURE: E-LIBRARY SOUNDS GREAT, BUT LEAVE REAL ONES ALONE – EDITORIAL ……….. 7 2005 LUA CONVENTION PLANS ……………………………… 9 DISTRIBUTION STUDY PREPARES NLS LIBRARIES FOR NEW DIGITAL TALKING-BOOK SYSTEM ………. 11 LIBRARIANS “HOLD” MYSTERY SUSPECT By Jacqueline Blais ……………………………………….. 13 ROBOTIC CRANES WILL SERVE PATRONS OF NEW USU LIBRARY THIS FALL By Arrin Newton Brunson ……………………………………………………….14 OVERDRIVE IN THE NEWS ……………………………………. 16 LOS ANGELES BRAILLE LIBRARY RECOGNIZED AS OUTSTANDING …………………………………………….. 18 SIMPLY AUDIOBOOKS CHALLENGES BUSY NORTH AMERICANS TO READ A BOOK FOR WORLD BOOK AND COPYRIGHT DAY ……………………………………. 20 BOARD OF DIRECTORS …………………………………………22 EDITOR’S PAGE By Judi Cannon You are probably reading this because you love books and use your local or NLS library on a regular basis. Your books are more than likely sent through the mail or you may opt to download from a variety of websites. Still others may use their local library for these same services. Have you stopped to realize the impact that books in a variety of formats, internet resources and reference services have on people who are blind or visually impaired? The impact is great. Library’s give us so much. The question is “What do we give back?” The word advocacy comes to mind. Visit your library or give them a call. Become familiar with the funding sources that bring you wonderful books and resources. Funding will generally not come from a single source. Learn about funding cuts that have either decreased or stopped vital programs that you have benefited from in the past. With this knowledge begin the process of making your voice heard. Write letters and make phone calls. Make appointments to talk personally with government officials. Just explaining in your own words how you feel does make a difference. These actions in themselves show that you do care. Bring a friend because many voices speak louder and definitely will bring in more funding. There is power in advocacy. Show your library that what they do makes a difference in your life. Enjoy reading. And for my favorite book! The Pillars of the Earth By Ken Follett (NLS book number RC 30999) Historical novel set in twelfth century England. Philip, prior of the monastery at Kingsbridge, and Tom, a master mason, would like to build a new cathedral. They are helped along when Tom's stepson torches the current cathedral. They are hindered, however, by a powerful and jealous bishop, and Ellen--who witnessed an ancient treachery. SUMMER SHOULD PROVIDE PLENTY OF STORIES By Carol Memmott USA TODAY Call it coincidence, or call it the natural order of things, but last summer's obsession with non-fiction books, fueled by election-year politics, is giving way to what could be the strongest summer for fiction in years, industry watchers say. "I wouldn't call it a backlash. It's more a natural response to the fact that many fiction titles are coming out and replacing the politically themed books which dominated in 2004," says Brad Parsons, a senior editor at Amazon.com. Parsons sees a seismic shift to "top-notch literary fiction, balanced with some contemporary commercial fiction that people are excited about." Michael Spinozzi, marketing chief for Borders bookstores, says, "In general, it's going to be one of the stronger fiction seasons we've had in quite some time just in terms of the quality and diversity of titles that will be available." Some spring novels - notably Sue Monk Kidd's The Mermaid Chair, Nicholas Sparks' True Believer and James Patterson's The Honeymoon - already are generating strong sales that are expected to continue into the months ahead. Without doubt, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will be the biggest blockbuster, but books from celebrated authors who have had nothing published in recent years also are getting attention. Among them: Specimen Days by Michael Cunningham (June). Until I Find You by John Irving (July). The Interruption of Everything by Terry McMillan (July). No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy (July). Booksellers also are counting on best-selling author Dan Brown. “The Da Vinci Code, our old friend, will continue to do well," Spinozzi says. "And I think it will help influence sales of a few other Da Vinci-like titles, including The Third Secret by Steve Berry, Map of Bones by James Rollins and The Third Translation by Matt Bondurant." David McCullough's 1776, scheduled for release May 24 from Simon & Schuster, is one of only two non-fiction titles likely to climb on the best-seller lists. The other is the paperback version of Bill Clinton's best-selling memoir from a year ago, My Life. It's expected May 31 from Vintage. Critics complained that last summer's hardcover version at 957 pages was way too long, but Vintage has announced that the former president has added new material for the paperback. GOOGLING THE FUTURE: E-LIBRARY SOUNDS GREAT, BUT LEAVE REAL ONES ALONE A Register-Guard Editorial December 27, 2004 Anyone who loves libraries - we're talking the brick-and-mortar variety here - experienced a pang of fear earlier this month when Google announced plans to fold five major research libraries into its already-massive database. Sure, many of us regularly do at least some research online. "Googling” has become as much a part of our vocabulary as the "Dewey Decimal System" is - or used to be - to traditional library patrons. Doctors, lawyers, teachers, business executives, mechanics, grandparents, Christmas shoppers and middle school students all jump into the Internet pond these days with regularity in search of information, information, information. But Google's move is on another scale, perhaps even a historic one. The world's most popular search engine is bankrolling a $150 million project that will digitize millions of books, manuscripts and other materials in research libraries' collections. Some scholars suggest that Google's move represents a 21st century revolution in information technology on a scale with the invention of the printing press. That's hyperbole, but the project is certainly breathtaking in its scope and vision. Consider, for example, the project’s effect on the public's ability to access information online at no cost. Granted, some of the participating universities are approaching the project with caution. Harvard intends to scan only 40,000 books, and then will determine whether to proceed further. But that's 40,000 volumes to which the computing public didn't have direct access before - books that presumably will be in searchable, full-text forms and at no cost. Difficult issues remain to be resolved before Google's new project goes online. They range from potential damage to - or even the loss of - rare or historic materials during the scanning process to legitimate concerns about commercialization (Google makes its money from on-line advertising) of intellectual materials. It also remains to be seen if Google can resolve complex issues involving the use of books and other materials that are currently under copyright. But the most difficult hurdle may be for those who love libraries in the same way that priests love cathedrals. Anyone who remembers getting their first library card and spending days immersed in a Ray Bradbury or John Steinbeck novel, or cranking out endless papers in college, or just dropping by on a summer evening to skim newspapers from across the nation, understands the fear that libraries might someday be rendered obsolete. That's doesn't seem likely - at least not in the lifetimes of most adults who will never perceive a computer screen as a suitable replacement for an actual book that one can touch, hear as bindings crack and pages turn, and, yes, even smell. Try Googling that. 2005 LUA CONVENTION PLANS Summer is here and for many LUA LEDGER readers that means that plans are already made to attend the American Council of the Blind Convention in Las Vegas. As you think about the many things to do during convention week please plan to spend some time with LUA. Below is the LUA schedule. There is something for everybody so come and enjoy. Library Users of America President: Barry Levine Program Chair: Kim Charlson Registration: $10 - $12 Saturday, July 2 8:00 p.m. LUA Pre-Convention Board Meeting Monday, July 4 1:30 p.m. Welcome Barry Levine, President 1:45 p.m. "NLS: What's Happening and what is on the Horizon?" Frank Kurt Cylke, Director, National Library Service for the Blind & Physically Handicapped (NLS); Michael Katzmann, Head, NLS Engineering Section 2:30 p.m. "Keystone Library Automation System" Kim Charlson, Director, Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library; Brian Charlson, Vice-President, Carroll Center for the Blind Demonstration of Web-OPAC Accessible Online Public Access Catalog Training Course 3:00 p.m. Break 3:15 p.m. 1st LUA Auction Barry Levine, President 3:30 p.m. LUA Business Meeting Barry Levine, President 4:30 p.m. Adjournment 4:30 p.m. LUA Wine and Cheese Party, Executive Director's Suite $8 - $10 Wednesday, July 6 Joint Session Library Users of America & Braille Revival League 1:30 p.m. LUA and BRL Welcome Barry Levine, President, Library Users of America, Lynne Koral, President, Braille Revival League 1:45 p.m. "Meet the Narrator" Talking Book Narrator Barry Bernsen, American Printing House for the Blind, Louisville, KY 2:15 p.m. "Free Matter: Background, Practice and Current Regulations and an Update on NLS Braille Development Section" Judy Dixon, NLS Consumer Relations Officer & Acting Head, Braille Development Section, Washington, DC 2:45 p.m. "Howe Press: Meet the New General Manager” David Morgan, Perkins School for the Blind, Watertown, MA 3:00 p.m. Break 3:15 p.m. 2nd LUA Auction Barry Levine, LUA President 3:30 p.m. "More Braille Stories and Adventures In and Out of Prison” Bob Schmitz, Program Advisor, Folsom Prison Project for the Visually Impaired 3:50 p.m. "Meet Valley Braille Service Inc" Dennis Melton, Las Vegas, NV 4:15 p.m. "Downloadable Audio Books from Net Library" Brian Charlson, Vice-President, Carroll Center for the Blind, Newton, MA 4:45 p.m. Adjournment DISTRIBUTION STUDY PREPARES NLS LIBRARIES FOR NEW DIGITAL TALKING-BOOK SYSTEM NLS Press Release May 10, 2005 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, is conducting an analysis of its current audiobook distribution process to determine what adjustments will be needed to accommodate its new digital talking-book (DTB) system. Three new models will be evaluated and the best suited will be designed to integrate with the distribution systems of state, regional, and subregional libraries in the NLS network. ManTech Advanced Systems International will lead the effort with support from Jerome Ducrest, an independent subcontractor who will handle the analytical aspects of the study, and Daniel Kind of Wesley-Kind Associates, who will supply logistical expertise. "The change from analog to digital presents an opportunity to make improvements in the way the entire talking-book system functions," says Frank Kurt Cylke, NLS director. "We are constantly striving to develop more efficient ways to serve our patrons." The three models under consideration include the current system, in which mass quantities of book titles are stored locally for easy access by librarians as they fill loan requests. The other options include on-demand distribution, in a central facility would duplicate DTBs as patrons request them, and a hybrid model that combines mass production and on-demand duplication in a proportion based on patron requirements. Each will be reviewed for compatibility and ease of adaptation to current library systems. Other aspects such as shelving and circulation will be considered as libraries will continue to distribute a number of books from their own facilities. "Our ideal distribution system will provide a combination of personal service for patrons, timely book delivery, and accurate tracking of materials to reduce loss rates," says Michael Moodie, NLS deputy director. "Factors such as efficient use of materials and sufficient inventory to meet patron demand are also important." The study will be conducted in two phases. In the first phase, the three models will be evaluated and the optimal one selected. An advisory group of librarians and consumer representatives will weigh in on the recommendations of the contractors prior to the second phase, during which the new distribution system will be designed. A multiyear transition plan will be drafted to guide the implementation process to be completed by the launch of the DTB program in 2008. More than 23 million copies of recorded and braille books and magazines were circulated to a readership of 799,718 in 2004. The international Union Catalog provides access to 423,500 titles (19 million copies). Audiobook readers borrow an average of 31 books and magazines a year. Braille readers average 20 books and magazines a year. … LIBRARIANS “HOLD” MYSTERY SUSPECT By Jacqueline Blais USA TODAY Last June, the 128-year-old Library Journal joined the crowd and started its own "best" book list: the Books Most Borrowed in U.S. Libraries. Librarians can now verify something they have long suspected: The fiction most sought-after by patrons is mysteries. "We've done book-buying surveys over the years, and it always comes out that mysteries are the first and romance is a close second," says Francine Fialkoff, editor of Library Journal. "I do think this (list) just confirms that libraries are huge lenders of mysteries. Almost every one of the popular fiction (titles) is a mystery. "Another thing about libraries that it is so clear when you look at this list is who the favorite writers are." Among authors who consistently turn up: mystery writers Patricia Cornwell, Sue Grafton, Janet Evanovich, James Patterson, Carl Hiaasen, Michael Connelly; romance writers Nora Roberts, Sandra Brown, Danielle Steel; and thriller writers John Grisham, Stuart Woods, Dan Brown. About 4,000 libraries report the number of times books are borrowed or put on hold. The list is posted at www.libraryjournal.com 20 times a year. 1. Trace by Patricia Cornwell. 2. R Is for Ricochet by Sue Grafton. 3. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. 4. Are You Afraid of the Dark? by Sidney Sheldon. 5. Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich. From the current non-fiction list: 1. My Life by Bill Clinton (has topped the list since last summer). 2. The South Beach Diet by Arthur Agatston. 3. The Family: The Real Story of the Bush Dynasty by Kitty Kelley. 4. Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss. 5. America (The Book) by Jon Stewart. ROBOTIC CRANES WILL SERVE PATRONS OF NEW USU LIBRARY THIS FALL High-tech: The building will feature a $3M storage and retrieval system, the first of its kind in Utah By Arrin Newton Brunson Special to The Salt Lake Tribune LOGAN - When the construction dust settles at Utah State University this fall and some 1.5 million books and documents are moved across campus, high-tech robotic cranes will begin stalking the shelves on behalf of patrons in the new Merrill-Cazier Library. A $3 million automated storage and retrieval system will be the first of its kind in a Utah library, according to USU spokesman John DeVilbiss. USU's elaborate system, known by the letters ASRS, will have all the latest bells and whistles. Patrons can watch it in action through numerous viewing windows on the third and fourth floors, but the system is much more than an impressive bauble, according to Linda Wolcott, vice provost for libraries and instructional support. "It is a necessity," she said. "The system is critical to housing the current collection and allowing for future growth of the library collections." A 200,000-square-foot addition to the existing Cazier Science and Technology Library is under construction to replace the 74-year-old Merrill Library. Yet, the combined 304,000-square-foot facility will not result in any additional space - once the Merrill Library is demolished, Wolcott said. With the automated-retrieval system, the new northern Utah library will be able to more efficiently use space and cover anticipated growth of the collection over the next 25 to 30 years, she said. Frequently used books will still be housed on the library's open shelves. Bound journals and microforms, as well as lesser-used items in the circulating book collection, will be stored on shelving units in a five-story rack structure with four aisles. A robotic crane will operate in each aisle. The crane will deliver the appropriate shelving unit to a station in the circulation or serials work areas. A staff member will pick the requested item from the shelving unit and bring it to the respective service area for delivery to the patron. "This automated system is accurate, fast, and cost-effective; it allows for increased storage at a lower cost per book than traditional library storage," according to Wolcott. At the click of a button on the Internet - from within the library itself, a campus office or dorm room - the crane will deliver an entire shelving unit, containing about 250 items, within one to two minutes. "You will request your item online and, in most instances, the item will be waiting for you at the service desk by the time you get there," Wolcott said. The new Marriott Library planned for the University of Utah campus and funded in the 2005 legislation session will also have an automated storage and retrieval system, according to Amanda Covington, communications director for the Utah System of Higher Education. … OVERDRIVE IN THE NEWS Press Release Libraries for the Blind Launch Digital Audio Book Service Five States and the Library of Congress NLS Collaborate in Unabridged (WASHINGTON, D.C. -- January 5, 2005): State libraries for the blind in Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, New Hampshire, and Oregon, along with the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), part of the Library of Congress, have partnered to launch an innovative digital audio book service for visually impaired users. Unabridged (http://www.unabridged.info) enables blind patrons to check out and download digital spoken word audio books directly to their computers. The digital audio books can then be played back on a PC, transferred to a portable MP3 playback device, or burned onto CDs. Member libraries include: Colorado Talking Book Library Delaware Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Illinois Network of Libraries Serving the Blind and Physically Handicapped National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped New Hampshire State Library, Talking Books Program Oregon State Library, Talking Book & Braille Services The first year of the program will serve as the pilot phase, with a limited number of users in each participating state. Early responses from librarians and patrons have been very positive. During the first month of the service, use of the collection has been brisk and reports of technical problems have been sparse. Lori Bell, Director of the Mid-Illinois Talking Book Center, noted, "I am very excited about this project. Our readers are eager to try digital audio books. Through Unabridged they can browse, select a book and download it directly to their computers." Unabridged is powered by the new digital audio book system from OverDrive (http://www.overdrive.com). The content is delivered as encrypted Windows Media Audio files, making use of Digital Rights Management (DRM) service. Playback on a personal computer is accomplished using the new OverDrive Media Console (OMC) software. OMC builds on the existing features of Windows Media Player to offer key functionalities useful to digital audio books users, such as MediaMarkers, which allow non-linear navigation, bookmarks, and the ability to skip back 15 seconds in the digital audio book. OMC also enables variable speed playback, an exciting new feature for a mainstream digital audio book system designed for the general consumer market. The OMC offers enhanced accessibility and general usability for blind and visually impaired readers. … LOS ANGELES BRAILLE LIBRARY RECOGNIZED AS OUTSTANDING June 2, 2005 LOS ANGELES TALKING BOOK AND BRAILLE LIBRARY RECOGNIZED AS OUTSTANDING BY LIBRARY OF CONGRESS The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) at the Library of Congress recently presented the inaugural Network Library of the Year Award to Braille Institute Library Services of Los Angeles for outstanding accomplishments in 2004. The new annual award carries a $1,000 cash prize. NLS created the Network Library Award to recognize outstanding accomplishments at the 134 libraries serving blind and physically handicapped individuals across the country and in U.S. territories. Forming the network of cooperating libraries, these state and privately funded agencies circulate NLS-produced braille and recorded materials and provide other services to eligible people in their communities. Braille Institute Library Services received the award at a private luncheon on June 1 at the Library of Congress. Library Services Director Henry Chang said, "I'm proud to accept this recognition on behalf of our staff, volunteers and patrons. Two thousand and four was a challenging year, but they rose to the occasion, providing outstanding service to our blind community." Braille Institute President Leslie Stocker also attended the luncheon. Braille Institute provided more than 1,370,840 recorded and braille books to more than 34,570 patrons in Southern California through five regional centers in 2004. The institute is funded almost entirely by private and foundation sources. Frank Kurt Cylke, NLS director, said, "Braille Institute easily exceeded the award criteria. Not only did the library continue to meet the needs of patrons during a time of budget cuts and staff reductions, its readership and book circulation increased substantially. Most important, it received a 99 percent patron approval rating." A specially established committee comprising braille and talking book librarians and patrons selected Braille Institute Library Services for the award using the following criteria: mission support, or the extent to which the library reached or exceeded the American Library Association Revised Standards and Guidelines for Service, creativity and innovation, and the record of patron satisfaction. By expanding partnerships with government agencies, volunteers, other libraries and even its own patrons, Braille Institute Library Services successfully implemented 15 new programs in the past year, including: Golden Seniors program, recognizing 366 patrons who are 100 years of age or older and directing attention to their unique interests. Summer Reading program, in partnership with the Los Angeles Zoo, for children ages birth to 17. Spanish-language addition to the library's Telephone Reader program. In addition, the talking book and braille library, at the request of its patrons, formed four book clubs. The library also provided student internships, recruiting library students to repair and preserve rare braille and print books. … SIMPLY AUDIOBOOKS CHALLENGES BUSY NORTH AMERICANS TO READ A BOOK FOR WORLD BOOK AND COPYRIGHT DAY May 25, 2005 Global News & Press Release Distribution Technology offers multiple options for accessing literature - Calling on book lovers of all ages to return to reading by exploring alternative ways to access literature, Simply Audiobooks promotes UNESCO's World Book and Copyright Day. Toronto, Canada (PRWEB) April 22, 2005. In celebration of UNESCO's World Book and Copyright Day, Simply Audiobooks challenged North Americans today to find creative ways to bring reading back into their busy lives. According to a recent survey conducted by the American National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), less than half of American adults currently read literature, a number that has been in steady decline for the past 20 years. The study, entitled Reading at Risk, suggests that literature now competes with a variety of electronic media and that the presence and availability of these alternatives are drawing Americans away from reading. “At a time when traditional reading must compete with more convenient and attractive entertainment options, the onus is on the book lover to explore alternative reading formats to complement his or her lifestyle,” said Sean Neville, CEO of Simply Audiobooks. “Everything from downloadable e-books to audio books on MP3 CD is now available and this kind of choice is actually good news for the modern day book lover.” One of the media formats actually increasing access to literature is the audio book. The ease and convenience of audio books is driving a current phase of enormous growth in the $2-billion industry, with sales increasing 14 per cent per year. The Audio Publishers Association reported roughly one in five American households listened to an audio book within the last year. A symbolic day for world literature, April 23 was chosen by UNESCO in 1995 to recognize the cultural and educational importance of books and their authors. World Book and Copyright Day encourages people of all ages to discover the pleasure of reading and honor the contributions of writers around the globe. About Simply Audiobooks Simply Audiobooks is the largest online provider of CD audio book rentals serving North America. Launched in 2003, the company was the first to offer an unlimited rental model for audio books, with free direct-to-door delivery and no late fees. Simply Audiobooks stocks thousands of titles in multiple genres, including fiction, non-fiction, business, spiritual, classic and children's literature. With offices in Toronto, Buffalo and Las Vegas, Simply Audiobooks is the only audio book rental provider to service the United States and Canada. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Barry Levine: President Homer Glen, Illinois 708-645-7700 email: barry@functionaltherapy.net Paul Edwards: Vice President Miami, Florida 305-692-9206 email: pedwards@mdcc.edu Sharon Strzalkowski: Secretary/Immediate Past President Worcester, Massachusetts 508-363-3866 email: strzal@charter.net Patricia "Pat" Price: Treasurer/Webmaster Indianapolis, Indiana 317-254-1185 email: pprice@indy.rr.com Gloria Broderick: Director Pasadena, California 626-683-9560 email: gloria@pmpmail.com Judi Cannon: Director/Editor Watertown, Massachusetts 617-924-0699 email: cannonja22@comcast.net Winifred Downing: Director San Francisco, California 415-564-5798 email: wmdowning@mindspring.com Earlene Hughes: Director email: arlene.hughes7@verizon.net **********