Volume 7, July 28, 2011 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) IMLS NEEDS YOUR INPUT

2) THE BOTTOM LINE ON VOLUNTEERS

3) MORA AWARD APPLICATIONS DUE AUGUST 15

4) BUILD-A-BEAR GRANTS

5) HOW TO SECURE FUNDING FROM FOUNDATIONS

6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

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David Junius, Volunteer Coordinator at the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library (WTBBL), is featured in the first Spirit of Service column in the Library of Congress National Library Service Update (January-June 2011).

David has been with the Library since August 2008 and he brought with him a rich background in nonprofit organizations (Seattle and San Francisco) and a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Washington. David is a natural fit. WTBBL hosts around 400 volunteers annually who contribute about 32,000 hours, the equivalent of 15 full-time staff members. He reports that the per hour value of a volunteer in Washington is more than $21.00 bringing the annual contribution of WTBBL volunteers to more than $670,000.

WTBBL Director, Danielle Millers say, “David has a real knack for getting along with anyone. He is kind and fair with all our volunteers, and we do have a very, very diverse group. David is great at finding the best fit for a volunteer and making them feel good about what they are doing. We are very lucky to have him!”

As the Outreach Coordinator, David promotes WTBBL and its services through presentations, exhibits at information fairs and the Reading Matters newsletter which he edits.

It is a pleasure to have David on the staff of the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library and the Washington State Library. Rand Simmons, State Librarian (Acting).

Volume 7, July 21, 2011 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) LAST CHANCE FOR EBOOK READER PILOT QUESTIONS

2) LAST CALL – LCW SPECIAL LIBRARIES REPRESENTATIVE

3) RECRUITING, USING, AND RETAINING VOLUNTEERS

4) FREE ADVOCACY TRAINING – REGISTRATION CLOSES JULY 27

5) FREE ONLINE CONFERENCE – TRENDS IN LIBRARY TRAINING

6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

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Volume 7, July 14, 2011 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) WANTED – LCW SPECIAL LIBRARIES REPRESENTATIVE

2) FREE BOOKS FOR DISCUSSION KITS OR COMMUNITY READS

3) HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF IMLS

4) BOTTOM LINE ON VOLUNTEERS – DATE CORRECTION

5) BOOK GROUP BUZZING

6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

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Did you know that our Washington Talking Book & Braille Library (WTBBL) and the Kentucky Talking Book Library were featured by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) on its website, http://www.imls.gov/profiles/profiles.shtm, and will be featured in its newsletter, Primary Source? Each month IMLS profiles programs or projects that use federal funding and exemplify why funds are granted to libraries.  This is great recognition and has been noticed by other state librarians, and special libraries serving people with disabilities. We were contacted by IMLS, so they already knew about our excellent program.

 Located in Seattle, WTBBL provides service to any resident in the state of Washington unable to read standard print material.  Thanks to a federal subsidy called “Free Matter for the Blind and Disabled,” we are able to mail books and materials anywhere in the state, free of charge.  Our services include audio books in digital form on a cartridge and for download, braille, large print, a radio reading service, and programs for children and adults.  WTBBL is unique and a leader in many ways.  It was one of the first regional libraries in the county after the passing of the Pratt-Smoot Act of 1931, and started out providing service to Montana and Alaska as well as Washington.  Until recently, we were the first and only library in our network to have locally produced audio and braille books available on our website for download.

 Though services have changed and advanced over the years since the first braille book was circulated in Seattle in 1906, WTBBL has maintained a wonderful program with the help of the dedicated staff and our amazing volunteers.  WTBBL volunteers do different tasks or projects like narrating books, transcribing braille, shelving books, and much more.  Each year the WTBBL volunteers contribute an average of 32,000 hours of work, almost doubling staffing.  Because of their dedicated work, WTBBL has stayed on the forefront of services for the blind and physically disabled.  Based on innovation, service, and satisfaction, WTBBL was honored as the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped’s (NLS) Network Library of the Year for 2009.  It is a great honor to be selected by representatives from libraries for the blind and physically disabled and leaders in the blindness community around the country.

 I think all of us at WTBBL would say the motivation and the joy that fuels our library comes from our patrons.  We get notes of thanks every day and here are a few comments:

 “I thank you for your magnificent service.  You’ve restored my joy of life.”

 “The digital books are a lifeline for me.  Thank you very much.”

From the desk of Rand Simmons

Each year, the month of May is set aside to recognize the value of older Americans to our society. The theme this year, “Older Americans: Connecting the Community,” reminds us that age has no bounds when it comes to enriching lives and contributing to our country.

Many older adults are no longer able to read standard print books due to vision problems or physical barriers. Be it macular degeneration; glaucoma; diabetic retinopathy; or other vision problems, or severe arthritis; MS; Parkinson’s; or other conditions that make it difficult or impossible to hold a book or turn its pages, the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library provides a world of information for free to those who are eligible for its many services. For more information go to www.wtbbl.org.

The Washington Talking Book & Braille Library can be a lifesaver. It provides players and a steady supply of talking books chosen to suit the interests of the individual reader. Audio books and magazines are also available instantly through download from the library’s website, and staff will coach patrons and their caregivers in downloading what they need.

This service is especially helpful for homebound readers who can go through more than a book a day. And for those who want to see or feel their books, rather than listen to them, the library provides Braille and large print books.

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Volume 7, May 5, 2011 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) FREE WORKSHOP – DO IT YOURSELF PAPER REPAIR

2) SDL CHOOSES PROQUEST AGAIN

3) MAY IS OLDER AMERICANS MONTH

4) TRANSFORMING OUR IMAGE

5) SPRING CLEAN YOUR WEBSITE

6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

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Volume 7, January 27, 2011 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) FIRST TUESDAYS – INNOVATION AT WTBBL

2) LIBRARY LEGISLATIVE DAY

3) FREE GENEALOGY EVENT – BING CROSBY’S FAMILY HISTORY

4) WASHINGTON LIBRARY SNAPSHOT DAY

5) VIDEO CONTEST – ESPECIALLY FOR TEENS

6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

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The Washington Talking Book & Braille Library is proud to announce that one of its own patrons has been chosen as a semi-finalist in  Evening Magazine’s “You’ve Got Talent” contest.

Meka White, of Bremerton, is known for her amazing voice and her great spirit. She wowed the crowd at New Day Northwest on January 19 with her rendition of “Chain of Fools.”

Check out Meka’s fantastic performance for yourself!

http://www.king5.com/on-tv/evening-magazine/Youve-Got-Talent-finalist-Meka-White-114209524.html

WTBBL wishes Meka good luck in the coming competition!

Volume 7, January 13, 2011 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) NEW DIGITAL COLLECTION – NORTH PEND OREILLE HERITAGE

2) LIBRARY SNAPSHOT DAY FEATURES WSL ILS

3) FIRST TUESDAYS – WTBBL NEEDS YOU!

4) WASHINGTON LIBRARIES HELP JOB SEEKERS

5) BOOKS FOR CHILDREN GRANTS

6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

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