Update

April-June 1995, Vol. 18, No. 2

     

ISSN 0160-9203



National Library Service 

for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

The Library of Congress



Telephone Pioneers honored at Library of Congress gala event



"We are gathered this evening to pay tribute to the Telephone Pioneers of

America, who for the past thirty-five years have spent countless hours

repairing more than two million playback machines used by blind and

physically handicapped patrons of the Library of Congress's talking-book

program," said Deputy Librarian of Congress Dr. Hiram Davis, addressing a

gala reception in the Library's Thomas Jefferson Building on March 28.

     Continuing his remarks to almost 200 guests representing Telephone

Pioneers, the national telecommunications industry, Congress, the Library,

NLS staff, and the NLS network of libraries, Dr. Davis said, "The National

Library Service has grown because of continued congressional support for

reading programs for citizens who are handicapped and because of the support

of the Telephone Pioneers of America, without whose tireless efforts the

Library could not continue the talking-book program.

     "The Telephone Pioneers of America, with a membership of more than

875,000 former and current telecommunications employees in the United States

and Canada, is the largest industry-related volunteer organization in the

world. It has provided funding and volunteers in support of the many

educational needs of our society and continues to enhance the lives of all

Americans through national and community projects.

     "To give you some idea of their enormous national contribution to the

National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, just

consider this fact: between 1980 and 1993, the Pioneers voluntarily repaired

1,093,352 playback machines--a private-sector contribution valued at more

than $54.6 million dollars. The Pioneers continue to provide expert repair

and maintenance service for the more than 757,600 cassette players and

231,391 record players in circulation today.

     "On behalf of the Library of Congress, I am honored to present this

award plaque to Don MacKenzie, president of the Telephone Pioneers of

America," Dr. Davis concluded.

     After receiving the engraved brass plaque mounted on a walnut base,

Mr. MacKenzie, speaking on behalf of the Telephone Pioneers, thanked Dr.

Davis and the Library of Congress for their tribute.

     Dr. Davis introduced Kenneth Jernigan, president of the Friends of

Libraries for Blind and Physically Handicapped Individuals in North America

(Friends), who spoke of the importance of the Telephone Pioneers' volunteer

machine-repair efforts in the context of what that effort means to the

750,000 patrons of the talking-book program. He lauded NLS as a vital part

of the lives of blind people and said, "I commend the work of the NLS

program, its staff, and its director, Frank Kurt Cylke."

     Euclid Herie, vice president of the Friends, also gave brief remarks,

describing in some detail his experiences in providing talking-book services

in Canada and how the Telephone Pioneers have made a difference in the lives

of Canadians who use the services through the Canadian National Institute

for the Blind.

     The event was sponsored by NLS in co-operation with the Friends. The

Telephone Pioneers coordinator for the event was Walt Armijo, Telephone

Pioneers vice president and director of marketing.

(photo caption: Don MacKenzie, left, president of the Telephone Pioneers of

America, receives an appreciation plaque from Dr. Hiram Davis, deputy

librarian of Congress. Photo by Yusef El-Amin.)

(photo caption: Telephone Pioneers President Don MacKenzie displays Library

of Congress appreciation plaque. Photo by Yusef El-Amin.)

                              ###



"E ho'opili pu" is theme for Hawaii volunteer recognition breakfast



"E ho'opili pu" (coming together to be together) was the theme for the 1994

annual volunteer recognition breakfast sponsored by the Hawaii State Library

for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

     Leis and certificates of appreciation were presented to sixteen

volunteers who had each contributed more than 100 hours of service during

the past year. Marge Guard received a special lei for twenty years of

service and was recognized as the library's special volunteer. All of the

volunteers received a tote bag and a letter of appreciation. State Librarian

Bartholomew A. Kane thanked the volunteers for their service.

     The November 12 event was held at the Elks Lodge on Waikiki Beach with

its vibrant blue and green water. "The scenery was truly paradise, the

breakfast was delicious, and the Hawaiian-style entertainment was fabulous,"

says Robert Krehl, volunteer services coordinator. Three professional

performers entertained the group with music, dance, and storytelling. "We

are already looking forward to `E ho'opili pu' again next year," says Mr.

Krehl.

                              ###



Texas celebrates with hoedown



North Texas Taping and Radio for the Blind celebrated its twenty-fifth

anniversary with a fund-raiser hoedown in November. The occasion also marked

the presentation of the first annual Edyth W.P. and Henry X. Salzberger

Award for Service, which went to Dr. Stanley and Mrs. Elsie Pearle on behalf

of the Pearle Vision Foundation. The foundation underwrites descriptive

video service on a Texas television station. Salzberger was the founder of

North Texas Taping and Radio for the Blind in 1969. A special guest at the

hoedown was NLS's John Bryant, assistant head of the Production Control

Section.

     Midge Hill, a local TV anchorwoman, emceed the hoedown with

entertainment provided by the Levee Singers--a Dixieland band--and Katie

McGuire, operator of a local dance studio, who provided light-hearted

lessons in line-dance.

     North Texas Taping and Radio for the Blind is an all-volunteer

organization that records books for NLS and textbooks for students

throughout Texas and also broadcasts a daily newspaper-reading program over

its radio station. Funds from the hoedown will help support the program.

                              ###



Arkansas subregional library honors small but mighty volunteer group



The Jonesboro, Arkansas, Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

honored three Telephone Pioneers at a volunteer recognition luncheon in

January. "The number of volunteers may be small, but the number of years

given and the amount of service donated by these three people are very

impressive," says Ruth Ball, librarian.

     William "Bill" Drury has given seventeen years of volunteer service to

the library. In 1994 he repaired 214 cassette players and numerous sets of

headphones. Over the years, Mr. Drury has repaired 2,789 machines--all in

his home, as the library does not have a repair facility. He has also

ordered and maintained all repair parts for record players and cassette

players. Mr. Drury serves as coordinator between the library and the local

Pioneers group.

     Harold Coop, a sixteen-year volunteer, has repaired thousands of

cassette tapes for the library. Mr. Coop takes the tapes to his home, where

he patiently replaces pads and straightens out kinks in the tapes, a service

much appreciated by the library staff.

     "Velma Sharp hasn't been around as long as Mr. Drury and Mr. Coop,"

says Mrs. Ball, "but she is making up for lost time." For the past seven

years, Ms. Sharp has come to the library twice a week to rewind tapes, stamp

catalogs and other library materials, and keep reader request lists up to

date. She has also spent many hours cleaning old reader charts for

recycling, according to Mrs. Ball a very time-consuming task using the

library's manual circulation system. In 1994 alone, she contributed 371

hours of service.

     "Needless to say, the library staff and patrons are very fortunate to

have the help of such devoted volunteers," comments Mrs. Ball. Each

volunteer received a certificate of appreciation and a coffee mug with the

logo "Love My Library."

     The annual luncheon was held in conjunction with the Jonesboro Public

Library. The Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped is an NLS

subregional library covering eighteen counties in northeast Arkansas. It

serves nearly 700 patrons and forty-five deposit collections.

(photo caption: William Drury.)

(photo caption: Harold Coop.)

(photo caption: Velma Sharp.)

                              ###



Arizona volunteer gives 2,000 hours



The Arizona Library Association's Outreach Service Award for 1994 was

presented to volunteer Elaine Hunter in December. Ms. Hunter received the

award in recognition of her volunteer work at the Glendale (Arizona) Public

Library where she contributes sixteen hours a week. Ms. Hunter's connection

to the Braille and Talking Book Library is through Recorded Recreational

Reading for the Blind (RRRB), where she has been a volunteer narrator for

seventeen years and has given more than 2,000 hours of service. The books

recorded at RRRB become part of the Braille and Talking Book Library

collection.

     In addition to her work at RRRB and the Glendale Library, Ms. Hunter

also volunteers at the Luke Air Force Base library and tutors adults who

attend English as a Second Language classes in Tolleson, Arizona. Ms. Hunter

says keeping busy is how she stays healthy. "Congratulations, Elaine, and

many thanks for all your faithful service," says Jeanie Pawlowski, volunteer

coordinator.

                              ###



North Carolina regional library volunteers take home awards



Volunteers of the North Carolina Library for the Blind and Physically

Handicapped (NCLBPH) received certificates of appreciation and other awards

at the library's annual volunteer recognition dinner in October. "We are

very proud of all our volunteers and are overwhelmed with gratitude for

their help," says Patti Gamin, director of volunteer services.

     Authors who volunteered to narrate their own books as part of the

library's ARROW (Authors Read and Record Original Works) program were

special guests and received gifts of carved wooden bookends from the NCLBPH

Friends. The authors in attendance were Ann Deagon, Sally Buckner, Shelby

Stephenson, and Helen Copeland.

     Forty-one volunteers received certificates for reaching milestones in

the number of volunteer hours they have contributed, seventeen received the

governor's award for contributing 500 to 1,250 hours of service, eight

received the Department of Cultural Resources award for 200 to 350 hours of

service, and twelve new volunteers received the LBPH Appreciation

Certificates for donations of up to 100 hours. Three additional volunteers

received Library of Congress awards for achieving more than 1,500 hours of

service.

     Jack and Jane Scoville were chosen Volunteers of the Year for 1994 in

recognition of their combined contribution of 5,000 hours of dedicated

service. Mr. Scoville is a narrator and newly certified braille transcriber.

Mrs. Scoville is a reviewer for the tape-recording program. Charlie Fox,

chief of Special Services, NCLBPH, presented a Library of Congress

certificate and a pair of wooden bookends to each of them.

     Ninety-two volunteers, library staff, patrons, and friends

participated in the event. Friend and patron Karen Guttman, who originally

conceived the idea for ARROW, traveled from her new home in Delaware to join

the party.

     Friends of NCLBPH President Gary Ray concluded the evening with a

hilarious stand-up comedy performance.

     "All and all it was a wonderful evening," says Ms. Gamin, adding that

NCLBPH also held a pizza party for its seven youth volunteers early in

November. They each received a specially designed certificate of

appreciation and personal words of thanks from Mr. Fox and Ms. Gamin.

(photo caption: North Carolina volunteer Marilyn Ryan receives an award from

John Welch, assistant state librarian, for her 350 hours of service. Eight

volunteers received the Department of Cultural Resources award for 200 to

350 hours of service.)

                              ###



NLS needs information for _Volunteers Who Produce Books_ directory



The next edition of _Volunteers Who Produce Books_ is being prepared for

publication in late 1995. Transcribing and recording groups, special

education offices, and others listed in the current issue have been

contacted for updated information. Prompt response to this request will help

NLS produce an accurate and comprehensive directory and will also assist in

meeting deadlines.

     If your group or a new group you know of has not been contacted or if

you have any questions or concerns, please write to Mrs. Freddie Peaco at

NLS. You may also call 1-800-424-8567 and select option 3 from the recorded

menu to reach her.

                              ###



ManTech concludes study: Committee supports continued decentralization of

machine repair



"The changes are going to be evolutionary, rather than revolutionary."

That's how Michael Moodie, NLS research and development officer,

characterizes NLS's latest plans for the inventory control and repair of its

playback machines.

     Moodie's comments reflect those of the NLS Implementation Study

Advisory Committee in response to the latest report by ManTech, a contractor

that recently completed a study of the distribution, repair, and inventory

control of audio playback equipment. The contractor identified machine

repair as a major factor. Last spring the committee concluded that

centralizing machine repairs in one or two facilities would be expensive and

that other approaches might produce effective solutions. The committee asked

the contractor to provide more data supporting the need for change and to

recommend options.



ManTech report

In its report for this year's meeting, held at NLS on February 13-14,

ManTech indicated that improvement is needed, citing its work with twenty

volunteer repair groups. The contractors tested forty machines repaired by

each group against draft standards recently developed by NLS volunteer

repair organizations--Telephone Pioneers and Elfuns--and machine-lending

agencies (MLAs). Of the 800 machines tested, only 58 percent were found to

meet the standards. To explain this relatively low percentage, Moodie cited

the "huge growth" in the number of cassette book machines in use in recent

years, noting that these machines require more and more-difficult repairs

than record players do. In addition, until now there have been no general

repair standards.

     ManTech offered three options for improving machine repair:

establishing a centralized facility run by hired staff; developing a set of

twenty to thirty regional facilities staffed by volunteers; or strengthening

the current decentralized system of some 300 volunteer repair groups.



Committee recommendations

After discussing the costs and effort required for each option, the

committee supported enhancement of the current, decentralized repair system

and used ManTech's findings to suggest ways to improve the system's

performance. One concern is already being addressed with the development of

the machine-repair standards. Beginning this spring, five volunteer

machine-repair sites will begin using the standards, with NLS engineers

providing training and support.

     The committee explored other ways to improve machine repairs,

including increased involvement of NLS with repair groups, an independent

quality check of repaired machines, and an increase in the quantity of test

equipment and materials supplied by NLS.

     The committee suggested that, while strengthening the current

decentralized system, NLS might also encourage the growth of any groups that

show an interest in accepting more work, eventually consolidating the

repairs at a smaller number of sites. That measure would decrease the

expense and staff time needed to provide the level of support called for by

the study.

     On other topics, the committee suggested that inventory control could

be improved by increasing the use of such technologies as telecommunications

and barcoding, tightening guidelines for borrowing of machines by

institutions, and initiating more aggressive procedures for retrieving

machines from patrons who leave the system.



Six-year study concludes

With the conclusion of ManTech's contract at the end of March, the NLS

study, which began with a survey of baseline costs in 1989, has been

completed, although recommendations and procedures will continue to be

explored by NLS staff. NLS director Frank Kurt Cylke thanked all the members

of the advisory committee, who worked with NLS in studying the reports

generated by ManTech and whose guidance led to the design of a centralized

braille distribution system and other improvements in the NLS system.

     "We greatly appreciate all of the effort and insight contributed by

members of the advisory committee," he said. "They have added enormously to

the study process, helping to craft practical solutions that benefit

consumers and are usable at net-work libraries."

     Four members of the committee have served since the beginning. They

are network librarians Sue Murdock, Richard Peel (now retired), Joyce Smith,

and Margaret Wolfe.

(Committee members in attendance: Aloma Bouma, National Federation of the

Blind; Jim Johnson, Chief Officers of State Library Agencies; Barbara Mates,

Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies; Sue Murdock,

Northern Conference; Richard Peel, Western Conference; Jennifer Sutton,

American Council of the Blind; Guynell Williams, Southern Conference;

Margaret Wolfe, Midlands Conference.



Members unable to attend: Thomas Miller, Blinded Veterans Association; Joyce

Smith, subregional libraries.)

                              ###



Braille student-instructor dialog



The Braille Development Section (BDS) receives numerous questions concerning

a variety of problems in braille transcribing. BDS has selected some of them

to address in this article. The question-and-answer format is intended to

help present the questions and answers clearly.

Student: I have just received my copy of the new edition of the official

code, _English Braille American Edition 1994._ After studying it carefully,

I still have some questions about the code changes that were made in 1991.

According to the 1991 code changes, the lower signs for _to, into,_ and _by_

may be carried to the next braille line in the following situations:

1. There is not sufficient space on the same braille line for the lower sign

and at least the first syllable of the connecting word.

Examples:



During the next few months I will need time

to devote to the project.





We are looking forward to the time we can begin to pre-

pare for our trip.



2. There is not sufficient space on the same braille line for the lower sign

and the abbreviation and/or the braille equivalent for a print symbol and

the joining letter or number.

Example:



Last Friday, the temperature dropped to 45dF.



     Will points be deducted from my trial manuscript if I follow the old

rule and write out _to, into,_ and _by_ in order to use the maximum number

of cells on the braille line?

Instructor: No. The 1991 code changes say that _to, into,_ and _by_ may be

carried to the next braille line in the two situations listed above.

However, the code changes do not say that you _must_ carry these lower signs

to a new braille line. Therefore, points will not be deducted from your

score if _to, into,_ and _by_ are written out to utilize the maximum number

of spaces on the braille line.

Student: I am still confused about how sterling coinage is written according

to the new changes. Could you please clarify this for me?

Instructor: Sterling coinage should be brailled as it appears in print,

following the print spacing and punctuation.

Student: Is it true that when the letter abbreviation for inches is used in

print, the braille abbreviation _in_ is not contracted?

Instructor: That is correct. When the _symbol_ for inches is used in print,

however, the _in_ is contracted.

Student: When such items as pictures, diagrams, and illustrations cannot be

reproduced in braille, should a statement to that effect be made on the

contents page?

Instructor: No. Section 19 of the new edition of the official code, _English

Braille American Edition 1994_ says, "When illustrations, diagrams, etc.,

cannot be reproduced in braille, references to them in the text generally

should be avoided. A description in words may be included in a transcriber's

note. If items listed on the print contents page are omitted from the

braille edition, a statement to that effect should appear at the end of the

contents listing. Other omissions, such as illustrations and diagrams,

should be noted on the transcriber's notes page."

                              ###



Meetings



National Braille Association (NBA)

Friday, October 20-Sunday, October 22, 1995, fall regional meetings and

workshops, Sands Regency Hotel Casino, Reno, Nevada. 

     For information on this meeting, contact National Braille Association,

Three Townline Circle, Rochester, NY 14623-2513; (716) 427-8260. 



California Transcribers and Educators of the Visually Handicapped (CTEVH)

Thursday, March 28-Saturday, March 30, 1996, CTEVH XXXVII Annual 

Conference, Princess Hotel, San Diego, California.

     For information about this meeting contact CTEVH Office, 741 North 

Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90029; (213) 666-2211.

                              ###



Volunteers master new skills



During the months of January, February, and March 1995, certificates in

braille transcribing were awarded to forty-one persons. Thirty-eight of

these certificates were awarded in literary braille transcribing, two in

mathematics braille transcribing, and one in braille proofreading.



LITERARY BRAILLE TRANSCRIBERS



Arizona

Cynthia Lyn Adams, Mesa

Lennard Alfonso Bracamonte, Douglas

Ingeborg K. Durre, Phoenix

Alan E. Fahl, Douglas



Arkansas

Denzil E. Coburn, Jr., Wrightsville

Richard I. Mitchael, Wrightsville



California

Penny Blanchard, Corning

Augusta R. Hutchinson, Walnut Creek

Christine G. MacLeod, Walnut Creek



Colorado

Brenda Kay Roatch, Lakewood

Leona N. Strait, Colorado Springs



Connecticut

Carmen S. Frangione, Cheshire

Larry David Hubbard, Cheshire



Florida

Grace Pellone, Treasure Island



Georgia

Georgia M. Bryan, Jackson



Indiana

Grace I. Krupski, Fort Wayne



Iowa

Laurie B. Fair, Des Moines



Kansas

Ronnie Alane Caldwell, El Dorado

Ruth B. Espy, Topeka



Kentucky

Betty A. Oliver, Louisville

Terry I. Rogers, LaGrange



Maryland

Manya Pettersen, Easton



Michigan

R. Green, Jackson

Sonia Helisek, Livonia



Mississippi

Anne Davis Dauenhauer, Poplarville



Missouri

Maurice Godfrey, Sainte Genevieve



Nevada

Michael R. Bourassa, Indian Springs

Robert I. Irelan, Jr., Indian Springs



New Jersey

Paula Genna Moccia, Florham Park



New York

Patricia K. Judd, Spencerport

Ann Wicks, Wantagh



Ohio

Robert D. Eshbaugh, Jr., London



Oregon

Norma Robinson, Gresham



Pennsylvania

James A. Murphy, Southampton



Washington

Carolyn E. Righi, Seattle



West Virginia

John D. Robinette, Huttonsville



Wisconsin

Cynthia J. Hall, Middleton

Martha May Pieper, Knapp



LITERARY BRAILLE PROOFREADER

Era Mae Brown, Dallas, Texas



MATHEMATICS BRAILLE TRANSCRIBERS

Robert E. Benn, Anamosa, Iowa

Ralph Lyle Parrott, Anamosa, Iowa

                              ###



New _English Braille American Edition_



The BANA Literary Technical Committee has released a revised edition of the

publication _English Braille American Edition 1994._ It incorporates the

rule changes previously published as addenda in 1980, 1987, and 1991. This

publication is available free of charge, in print and braille, to Library of

Congress-certified transcribers and proofreaders living in the United

States. Contact the NLS Braille Development Section or call 1-800-424-8567

and select option 2 from the recorded menu. It is also available for

purchase from the American Printing House, 1839 Frankfort Avenue,

Louisville, KY 40206-0085; telephone: 1-800-223-1839.

                              ###



Profile



Braillist Jared Moore died January 7, 1995, at the age of 101. He was an

active braillist until the last year of his life when his health declined.

     Mr. Moore learned braille through the Madison-Chatham Braille

Association, Chatham, New Jersey, and was certified in literary braille in

1980 at age eighty-six. He moved to North Carolina in 1984 and began

transcribing for the regional library there. The North Carolina Library for

the Blind and Physically Handicapped named him Volunteer of the Year for

1991. "He was an inspiration to many volunteers. Though gone, Jared Moore

will long be remembered by those he graciously served," remarked Deborah

Barnes, braille coordinator. Mr. Moore produced more than 15,000 pages of

braille.



_Update_ is published quarterly by: National Library Service for the Blind

and Physically Handicapped

Library of Congress

Washington, DC 20542

Correspondence should be addressed to Publications and Media Section.



Coordinating editor: Freddie Peaco

Publication editor: Ruth Nieland

Braille student-instructor dialog: John Wilkinson





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