Beginning in 2008, the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) will
begin providing digital talking books (DTBs) on flash memory cartridges and digital book players. NLS is
making this change because audiocassette books currently in use are quickly becoming outdated technology.
The goal of NLS is to have 20,000 titles in digital format in this timeframe.
What benefits do digital talking books offer for the individual reader? Digital technology enables
more navigation and accessibility features than analog cassettes. Recorded cassette books must be listened
to in a linear mode from beginning to end. Digital books, especially complex nonfiction titles, can be
navigated easily moving forward or backward and selecting tagged chapters, pages or headings. The reader
can place bookmarks, search by keyword, or, in some cases, check the meaning of words. These features will
afford talking book readers access to the contents in ways similar to the printed text.
This audio-to-digital conversion project is an exciting and challenging development that will
transform and enhance services for each and every patron.
EYE ON ART
The James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown held an informal roundtable discussion concentrating on
the challenges faced by artists with visual impairments on October 18, 2005. Local artists Vince Ceglia,
Ashby Saunders, John Sears, and Dick Goldberg, M.D. led the discussion. Representatives from National
Exhibits by Blind Artists also participated. Contact the Museum at 215-340-9800 to be placed on a mailing
list for future events.
AUDIO BOOKS ONLINE
"State of the Art" technology has ushered in a new era for library patrons who can now select an audio book
and check it out online. This remote service enables people at home, school or work to do a virtual check out for
three weeks. The audio books are downloaded onto the user's computer. The file can then be transferred to a CD
or MP3 player. After three weeks, the book is automatically "virtually" returned and self-destructs "Mission
Impossible" style. A list of 400 titles, for both children and adults, are available now with new titles to be added soon.
To explore these downloadable books, go to www.library.phila.gov, click on Find, and then the link to
Downloadable Audiobooks. All LBPH readers who are Pennsylvania residents can take part in this program.
Please call 800-222-1754 or 215-683-3213 to order a Free Library of Philadelphia library card to start downloading books!
NFB - NEWSLINE
Newsline is a national service sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind and in Pennsylvania,
the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. Newsline offers, over the telephone, many newspaper and some magazines
from around the United States. If you would like to sign up for this free service, please call the Library at
800-222-1754. If you would like further information about NFB-Newsline, call NFB at 410-659-9314.
WEB BRAILLE
Web Braille is a web based service that provides in any electronic format, many braille books
and all braille magazines produced by NLS (National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped).
Copyright laws require that access to Web Braille be limited to NLS patrons and eligible institutions
such as schools for the blind, public and private schools serving blind children and nonprofit organizations
whose primary purpose is the production of braille books.
To register for Web Braille, please call us at 1-800-222-1754 or 215-683-3213.
ABE/GED PROGRAM UPDATE
Our Adult Basic Education/GED program staff had a summer that was quite productive, but also very emotionally
difficult. Ms. Gale Clegg, a very special, long-time friend and dedicated volunteer to the program, passed away on
July 22, 2005. Shortly after her retirement from her position at the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services in 2003,
Gale began to devote a minimum of six hours per week to working with a couple of our blind students. She gave freely
of her time to, a native French speaker who requires assistance with reading and writing English so that he can earn
his GED and enroll in college. She also helped another adult learner in his efforts to become proficient in braille.
Gale's excellent teaching skills and her good cheer, but most of all, her friendship, is sorely missed by us all.
Thank you, Gale, from the bottom of her hearts.
The fall has brought us a lot of new enrollments. We are very hopeful that some of our students will be ready
to take the GED examinations within the coming months. One individual is currently taking his examinations and we
anticipate hanging his diploma on our wall by Christmas.
If you have any questions about the ABE/GED Program or if you would like to enroll, call Jill Gross at
215-683-3213 or contact her via email at jgross@tacticus.com.
MACULAR DEGENERATION
Hadley School for the Blind offers in its latest series of tuition-free, distance education
courses, "Macular Degeneration". The course covers various aspects of age-related macular degeneration
(AMD): symptoms and progression of the disease, diagnosis, emotional impact, doctor-patient relationship,
and ways to maximize vision for continuing daily activities.
The course is currently available in large print and will soon be available on cassette and online.
Contact Student Services at 800-526-9909 or studentservices@hadley.edu
TAKE A MINUTE TO REWIND
The Library would like to express its thanks to patrons who note that a book is in need of repair. We
attempt to inspect all books prior to their mailing. Of course, it is always helpful when patrons remember
to take the time to rewind their cassettes to the beginning before returning them to the Library.
HINTS FOR REWINDING
When rewinding a tape to its starting point for its return, a patron should remember these helpful hints.
If the tape finished on either track one or track three, it is easier to then rewind the tape. The rewind button
is black and the second from the left.
If the tape finishes on either track two or track four, it is easier to fast forward the tape. The fast forward
button is black and second from the right.
NATIONAL DIABETES MONTH AND WE CAN HELP
November is National Diabetes Month. The Library has several books that may help you live with Diabetes.
We have cookbooks and books that help you take charge and cope with the disease. Through our NLS Magazine
Subscription Program, we can arrange for you to receive Diabetes Forecast, the monthly magazine on audiocassette,
published by the American Diabetes Association.
GENERATIONS ON LINE
If your parents or someone you know thinks "online" involves clothespins or buses, there may be away to help
introduce the Internet and its wonders. Generations on Line is a website devoted to Internet literacy and easy
access for the "paper generation". The site is available for free to seniors at public libraries including the
Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, senior centers and retirement communities.
Generations on Line is a national nonprofit corporation headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Funding
is provided through grants from foundations, corporations and the government. Using familiar images and large print
instructions, the program on the website guides elders who have no computer experience through email (no attachments);
word processing and simple searches. Generations on Line links to sites of interest to seniors, including social
security and Medicare, veterans affairs, newspapers around the world and "clean" health portals.
BENEFITS CHECK UP
BenefitsCheckup.org helps thousands of people every day to connect to government programs that can help
them pay for prescription drugs, health care, utilities and other needs. BenefitsCheckUp is a service of the
National Council on the Aging.
BenefitsCheckUpRx is a fast, free and confidential service to help people find public and private programs
to save the most money on prescription drugs. It will help you choose the best programs and help you enroll.
To get started, have your list of prescription medications handy and basic information about your income and assets.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE AN HOUR MAKES
As the seasons change and you may be wondering what to do to stay connected with people. Consider becoming
an LBPH volunteer! One hour of volunteering will: inspect fifty books; enter one hundred patron book requests;
discharge approximately one hundred fifty books from a patron list; or re-shelve between one hundred and one
hundred fifty books.
These tasks are integral parts of ensuring quality library service. If you have at least an hour to spare,
consider coming to spend it at the Library. Please call Ms. Angel Chambers-Gilliam, LBPH Volunteer Coordinator
at 800-222-1754 or 215-683-3213. Thank you.
HOLIDAY CLOSINGS
The Library will be closed on the following scheduled holidays:
Friday, November 11, 2005 - Veterans' Day,
Thursday, November 24, 2005 - Thanksgiving Day,
Monday, December 26, 2005 - Christmas Day (observed)
Monday, January January 2, 2006 - New Year's Day (observed)
MEDICARE PART D
Open enrollment to select a prescription drug "insurance" carrier runs from November
15, 2005 to May 15, 2006. If you are a beneficiary of Medicare, Supplemental Security Income,
Medicaid or a Medigap plan that does not pay for prescription drugs, you need to choose Medicare
Part D or some other Medicare-approved prescription drug plan by May 15, 2006. Go to
www.socialsecurity.gov or www.medicare.gov
on your computer at home or at your local
library for more information or to choose a Medicare-approved prescription drug plan.
MEDICARE MEDICINE
If you are currently receiving Medicare then you are eligible for Medicare Part D.
It does not matter how much money you make, where you live or why you are receiving
Medicare (for instance, you may have a long-term disability). The Medicare Part D benefit is
voluntary and you cannot be denied coverage for any reason. If you are receiving prescriptions
from the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), you do not have to do anything. Your VA prescription
benefits remain the same. Information is available in English and in Spanish by calling Medicare at
800-663-4227 or visit on the Internet at home or at you local library,
www.socialsecurity.gov or www.medicare.gov.
Dates to Remember
October, 2005-Medicare starts mailing its official booklet, "Medicare & You 2006" to Medicare beneficiaries.
October 1, 2005-Companies begin advertising their Medicare-approved plans. To compare the plans you are
eligible to sign up for, go to www.medicare.gov or call 800-633-4227.
November 15, 2005-First day you can enroll in a Medicare Part D plan.
January 1, 2006-First day you can use a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan that you enrolled in
before December 31, 2005. Otherwise, you can start using your plan on the first day of the month after you enroll.
May 15, 2006-The last day you can sign up for a Part D plan without a stiff penalty, unless you qualify
for an exception. After that, you will have to wait for the next open-enrollment period (November 15-
December 31, 2006). If you are forced to change plans before that (for example, if you move out of the area),
you can choose another plan.
If you do not choose a prescription drug coverage plan by May 15, 2006, the government will make a choice
for you and you may be penalized. Medicare Part D monthly premiums will range from around twenty to thirty five dollars.