News July-September 1999, Vol. 30, No. 3 ISSN 1046-1663 National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped The Library of Congress Automated system connects Florida libraries Network libraries and patrons in Florida now share the benefits of an innovative statewide circulation system through the Keystone Library Automation System (KLAS). The system gives an increasing number of Florida libraries access to the entire patron and bibliographic databases statewide so that staff at each library can serve patrons directly with seamless interlibrary loans and greatly reduced paper transactions. The Florida Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library Services (Daytona) regional library migrated its records into KLAS in September 1998. "Loans are up dramatically," according to associate library director Mike Gunde, who headed the KLAS project. "Monthly circulation is more than 90,000 items." According to Don Weber, Florida regional librarian, KLAS potentially may connect the regional library at Daytona and eleven subregional libraries circulating 1.7 million books annually. Each participating subregional library now has instantaneous access to the regional library's collection and can make immediate requests. Patrons also gain the new capability to order books directly through the Internet. "This is an important development," says NLS director Frank Kurt Cylke. "Greater sharing of information and resources will be one of the hallmarks of library service in the next decade, particularly as we move into new and different forms of service delivery." With local telnet connections, the libraries are able to process materials transfers and file maintenance transactions, such as address changes, by connecting through personal computers to a common KLAS server located in Raleigh, North Carolina. This approach eliminates duplicate paperwork to change files in two locations. In addition, a World Wide Web interface allows patrons to perform online searches for books by title, author, or subject. Searches can also be narrowed by type of medium desired. Search results can be easily assembled into a request list that can then be electronically submitted to the patron's library. Phasing in statewide "The system is like having a public library card for the whole state!" marveled Mary Mohr, NLS network consultant. "Anyone can take care of any patron request from any participating library." "The concept of a shared database is not new, but not until the Telecommunications Act was passed in 1996 did costs become reasonable," says Gunde. The Pinellas Talking Book Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped was the first subregional library to merge into the system last November. The Tampa and Ft. Myers subregionals merged this spring, and the Bradenton library joined this summer. "We hope that by New Year's Eve nine of the eleven subregionals will be on board," says Gunde. Conversion to KLAS, which is Y2K compliant, also ensures that libraries will not experience problems on January 1, 2000. "Being hooked up to a server in a different state is similar to branches of a bank being connected electronically: the location doesn't matter. Every transaction is recorded and updated immediately." Gunde says. When an item is not available at a subregional library, the patron request is automatically filled by the regional or another subregional library. Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant funds were used to convert the regional and most of the subregional library records. "This is a model use of LSTA funds--for major, one- time costs," says Weber. Ongoing charges for these libraries are funded with general appropriated money. Three of the subregionals succeeded in obtaining local funds for the conversion. Subject coding for the database During the conversion to KLAS, the Florida libraries imported retrospective subject coding data for the NLS collection from the regional library in Massachusetts, which was already using KLAS for its patrons. The Massachusetts library provided the data free of charge. "We greatly appreciated their cooperation. We hope to continue to receive their coding as new titles are added to the collection," says Weber. Bibliographic data for new books produced by NLS are downloaded each month by Keystone Systems staff from the NLS PICS database. Audio equipment committee considers technology The deliberations of the National Audio Equipment Advisory Committee (NAEAC) focused on technology both old and new-- that is, analog and digital--and developments both current and foreseeable. The March 24 26 meeting was moderated by John Cookson, head of the NLS Engineering Section. Participants represented three groups of major importance to the NLS program: consumers, network librarians, and repair volunteers. The meeting opened on a celebratory note with the presentation by NLS director Frank Kurt Cylke of a letter of appreciation to Telephone Pioneer Jerry Adamson for achieving 10,000 hours of service in the talking-book repair program. NLS presentations The first day was devoted to briefings by NLS staff on the current status of audio products and equipment. Brad Kormann, chief of the Materials Development Division, led off with a summary of NLS's ongoing transition from analog to digital technology. First on the agenda were analog topics, which included  C-1 batteries and machine repair contracts;  the status of planned production, including new cassette book machines, batteries, extension levers, and headphones;  the equipment inventory status, focusing on what equipment is obsolete and what will remain in the inventory;  the status of cassette magazine production, with flexible-disc magazines to be phased out by 2001;  an in-depth analysis and demonstration of low-maintenance cassette book machine (CBM) players; and  the braille mailing container project. Kevin Buck, recently appointed equipment and materials maintenance coordinator, introduced himself to the committee and reviewed the status of the Volunteer Repair Project. During the morning break, the new NLS repair video was shown to committee members. The committee then explored upcoming technological changes for blind and physically handicapped readers, introduced by John Cookson with a review of the NLS pamphlet Digital Talking Books: Planning for the Future, followed by an update on the progress of the National Information Standards Organization (NISO) in designing a digital talking-book (DTB) standard. NLS research and development activities supporting the NISO DTB standard development include  digital original mastering and duplication experiments, which are being conducted in the NLS recording studio and at NLS's Multistate Center East;  alternative control interfaces such as voice input and simplified key pads;  issues concerning compression of digital audio; and  work on electronic-text markup standards that are intended to increase accessibility. Committee recommendations Over the next two days, committee members discussed the information that had been presented and developed recommendations from the perspective of their working groups. Consumers expressed an interest in having NLS continue its current policy of issuing headphones through the network libraries. Several participants asked NLS to emphasize software development in the DTB and to have new versions tested by users before their release. Librarians expressed the need for a talking-book machine (TBM) phaseout policy and an automated parts room at NLS (both already in progress). In addition, participants offered suggestions for design improvements in the existing C-1 machine and the new DTB. They also commended NLS for its efforts to recruit more repair volunteers and for recognizing existing volunteers. Repair personnel recommended that NLS issue another Machines and Accessories (M&A) report on the importance of adhering to the cassette book machine reconditioning standard and asked for a number of component changes to be published in a future M&A report. Jack Simpson, of the Elfuns, suggested placing some of the repair information on the NLS web site. The group expressed appreciation to NLS for its new repair video. In addition, current chairman Walt Alfred and former chairman Jerry Adamson of the Telephone Pioneer Regional Talking Book Coordinators, thanked the organization for the coordinator recognition at the 1998 San Antonio Telephone Pioneer Annual General Assembly. (Meeting attendees Consumers: Alice Jackson, American Council of the Blind; Elsworth Sharpe, Blinded Veterans Association; Sam Gleese, National Federation of the Blind; Robert Haag, Midlands Region; Doug Hall, Southern Region Network library representatives: Elizabeth Eckles, Midlands Region; Richard Riddell, Northern Region; Rebecca Sherrill, Southern Region; David Whittall, Western Region Volunteer repair personnel: Jack Simpson, General Electric Elfuns; Jerry Adamson, J. Walter Alfred, Carl Gingrich, and Richard Iversen, Telephone Pioneers of America) (photo caption: Network library representatives meet with NLS staff members. Standing, John Cookson, head, Engineering Section; Richard Riddell; Beth Eckles. Seated, Mary Mohr, network consultant; Rebecca Sherrill; David Whittall; Carolyn Sung, chief, Network Division.) Regional conference reports The NLS network of cooperating libraries is divided into four geographical units (variously called regions, conferences, or regional conferences) to reduce distance and enable more staff members to participate in professional meetings and ensure representation of specialized area interests on task forces and advisory committees. Regions hold area conferences in odd-numbered years. They also offer programs and conduct business meetings at the NLS biennial national conferences held in even-numbered years. The national conference for the year 2000 is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles on April 29 May 4. The Midlands: Cleveland, Ohio; April 25 28 The Midlands Region, hosted by the Cleveland regional library, led off the 1999 round of regional conferences. Preconference. This year's conference was preceded by a half-day informal reader-advisor workshop on the afternoon of April 24. NLS's Stephen Prine and Mary Mohr, Network Services Section, distributed notebooks and discussed them in a mini-version of the workshop that was introduced at the national conference in Burlington, Vermont, in 1998. Conference activities. The Midlands meeting began on the afternoon of April 25 with welcomes from Barbara Mates, head, Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, and Andrew Venable, deputy director, both of the Cleveland Public Library. Karen Odean, assistant chair, Midlands Conference, from the Northwest Illinois subregional library, called the roll of states and nations. The proceedings continued with reports from NLS by Prine and Mohr and from the multistate centers. Karnell Parry highlighted the Multistate Center West's move to a new building and discussed machine availability, the inventory system, the magazine program, and braille mailing containers. Jacqueline Conner of the Multistate Center East brought librarians up to date on current activities and reviewed the BRA and foreign collections housed at that center. The librarians held a business meeting with committee reports from Karen Odean regarding the NLS meeting on the theme of Network Library Service in a Digital and Digital Audio Age; from Geraldine Adams, Oklahoma regional library, for the National Advisory Group on Collection Building Activities; and from Beth Eckles, Missouri regional library, for the National Audio Equipment Advisory Group and the CMLS Advisory Team. The second and third days of the conference featured guest speakers and special-interest sessions. Librarian and writer John Bellamy spoke about Cleveland's notorious woman villains, naturalist Foster Brown discussed Cleveland's early history, and writer Max Edelman, the dinner speaker, talked about his "Journey with Talking Books." Georgina Koh and Elizabeth Bardossy of the Preservation Department of the Cleveland Public Library gave an overview of the care, repair, and storage of braille, entitled "Will Your Braille Survive beyond Y2K?" Randy Knapp of the Cleveland Sight Center spoke on the topic "Getting Your Patrons Started in Adaptive Tech." Panel discussions covered "Children's Services--Today and Tomorrow," "Patrons Helping Patrons," "Adaptive Technology in the Public Library," increasing funding, and collection development. Automation user groups met, and two automation updates were conducted: Bob McDermott, NLS automation officer, on NLS activities; and Ellen Stroud, CNIB, on VisuNet Canada. Tours included the Cleveland regional library and sensory gardens, the Cleveland Public Library, and the Cleveland Sight Center and Storer Center. The Midlands conference for the year 2001 is being planned as a joint activity with the Western conference and will take place in Salt Lake City, Utah. New officers elected were Lissa Shanahan, Indiana regional library, chair; Linda Champion, Macomb County, Michigan, subregional library, vice chair; Ellie Sevdy, Minnesota machine-lending agency, secretary; and Gail Morse, Cleveland regional library, treasurer. (Libraries Illinois - 6* Indiana - 4* Iowa Kansas - 6* Michigan Lansing - 9* Wayne - 1* Minnesota Missouri Ohio Cincinnati Cleveland Oklahoma Wisconsin *number of subregionals) The North: Cromwell, Connecticut; April 28 30 The Midlands meeting was closely followed by the conference of Northern Region libraries. Participants from the New England and Mid-Atlantic states and the District of Columbia were greeted by Kendall Wiggin, Connecticut state librarian; Lynne Newell, division head of Information Services; and Carol Taylor, Connecticut regional librarian and conference chair. The keynote speaker, library patron George Salpietro, told of the shock of losing his sight in a matter of weeks at the age of forty, his fear of losing his independence, and his joy in discovering Karl, a handsome German shepherd guide dog who accompanied him to the speakers' platform. Salpietro, who is now senior vice president of the Connecticut-based Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, New England's only guide dog school, praised the library service and expressed appreciation for the dedication of the conference participants. The session also contained a report on the September 1998 meeting of the National Advisory Group on Collection Building Activities by Barbara Wysocki, Northern Conference consumer representative, and an update on activities at the Multistate Center East by Jackie Conner, director. NLS updates included a review of the movement toward digital audio by Michael Moodie, research and development officer; discussion of consumer-related projects subtitled "Mutual Support: Advocacy and Advisory" by Judith Dixon, consumer relations officer; and a wide range of activities summarized by Steve Prine, head of the Network Services Section. The afternoon session featured a talk on "Helping the Poor and Blind: Governor's Records at the Connecticut State Archives, 1830 58" by Mark Jones, state archivist at the Connecticut State Library, showing how services evolved in the early years from a charitable concept. The Connecticut regional library in Rocky Hill, a Hartford suburb, shares a facility with the State Archives. The second day of the conference was devoted to tours, the conference business meeting, and a reception at the regional library. Participants visited the New Britain Museum of American Art, which features volunteer docents trained to do audio descriptions of the works. They also toured the Hartford post office. The final conference activity was a half-day session on reader-advisor services and practices led by Steve Prine. Donna Calvert of West Virginia was elected conference chair; James Izatt of the Worcester, Massachusetts, subregional was reelected secretary; and Christine Lisiecki of New Jersey was appointed to the National Audio Equipment Advisory Committee. The 2001 conference is planned for Charleston, West Virginia. (Libraries Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Maine Maryland - 1* Massachusetts - 1* New Hampshire New Jersey New York Albany New York City - 2* Pennsylvania Philadelphia Pittsburgh Rhode Island Vermont West Virginia *number of subregionals) The South: Atlanta, Georgia; May 2 4 "We need to rethink the roles of all of our institutions that are in the information business," Kenneth Breeden, commissioner, Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education, told the Southern Conference of Librarians for Blind and Physically Handicapped Readers (SCLBPH), during its biennial meeting May 2 4 in Atlanta. "Libraries have been around as long as people have been writing things down. What's changed is what people are writing on," Breeden continued, in his welcoming address. "I love books, but the world is going to be about more than books." He supported his statement by describing research he has conducted using the Internet. Approximately one hundred people attended the conference, which also afforded participants the opportunity to tour the Center for the Visually Impaired (CVI) and the Carter Presidential Library. The keynote program, "Partnering for the Future," encouraged the librarians to expand their cooperative associations with the resources in their areas. Representatives from Shepherd Hospital, Rehabilitation Service, CVI, and Sara Hightower Regional Library Technology Demonstration Center--all in the Atlanta area-- discussed the benefits of their association with the Georgia regional library. The panel also included members from the Georgia chapters of the National Federation of the Blind and the American Council of the Blind and the executive director of the Helen Keller National Center Southeast. Panelists provided tips encouraging librarians to approach similar agencies to formulate cooperative relationships. The program was moderated by Guynell Williams, South Carolina regional librarian. Storyteller Fiona Paige, a patron of the Georgia regional library, entertained with a presentation called "Dancing in the Dark." She told of her trials and victories after she became blind in adulthood and, with the help of a friend, demonstrated how a patron calling a library can be frustrated by a distracted librarian, as well as encouraged by an enthusiastic reception. Later, librarians Fara Zaleski, Rebecca Sherrill, Guynell Williams, and Linda Williams joined James Herndon, acting head of the NLS Collection Development Section, and Molly Kinney, Georgia Public Library children's consultant, in a panel discussion on summer reading programs. The Southern Conference concluded with thirteen resolutions. The group recommended that SCLBPH establish a LISTSERV instead of producing a newsletter, that NLS investigate increasing its automation staff, and that multistate centers make RD collections accessible to regional libraries. Resolutions also included kudos to chairperson Mike Gunde of the Florida regional library, local arrangements chairperson Linda Koldenhoven of the Georgia regional library, the local arrangement committee of Georgia subregional librarians, and NLS and Multistate Center East staffs for participation. Mike Gunde of the Florida regional assumed his term as chair, with Barbara McCarthy of the Virginia regional as chair-elect. The next conference is planned for Charleston, South Carolina. (Libraries Alabama - 5* Arkansas - 2* Florida - 11* Georgia - 13* Kentucky - 2* Louisiana Mississippi North Carolina Puerto Rico South Carolina Tennessee Texas Virgin Islands - 5* Virginia *number of subregionals) The West: Santa Fe, New Mexico; June 5 9 The program for the Western Conference featured a keynote address by Arthur Schreiber, a patron, broadcast journalist, and president of the National Federation of the Blind, New Mexico chapter. Schreiber discussed the need for changed attitudes toward blindness, continued training of medical and service professionals, and greater participation by agencies in job and skills training. Presentations included "Developing Staff for Library Services in a Digital Age" by Carolyn Sung, NLS Network Division chief, in which Sung discussed how libraries can meet the challenges of a changing future. At a panel discussion on staff recognition, three librarians shared ideas for creative, inexpensive, and effective ways to formally and informally thank staff members for their accomplishments. Another panel session focused on service to Native Americans and how libraries can work to help promote and preserve native cultures while maintaining an active role for talking books in the community. A discussion on machine audit issues gave conferees an opportunity to offer suggestions on achieving low error rates and voice concerns about audit procedures. Phyllis Cairns, of the Seattle, Washington, regional library, informed attendees about grants available through the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Automation breakout sessions concentrated on new and updated capabilities of circulation systems. NLS staff provided updates on activities including automation, digital talking-book development, Web-Braille, and other projects. Karnell Parry, Multistate Center West director, reported on center activities, including a new automated warehousing system at the facility. Participants toured the New Mexico Talking Book Library's new quarters (see News, October December 1998) and examined its innovative carousel shelving system. Linda Montgomery, Arizona regional librarian, assumed the chair of the Western Conference, and Henry Chang, southern California regional librarian, was elected vice- chair. The next meeting will be held together with the Midlands Conference in spring 2001 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Libraries Alaska Arizona California Los Angeles Sacramento - 2* Colorado Hawaii - 1* Idaho Montana Nebraska Nevada - 1* New Mexico North Dakota Oregon South Dakota Utah Washington *number of subregionals) Advisory group considers reading materials The National Advisory Group (NAG) on Collection Building Activities, which met at NLS from May 19 to May 21, made sixteen recommendations concerning book and magazine selection, many of them requests to continue current procedures and commendations on accomplishments. This annual meeting was attended by librarians, readers at large, and consumer representatives from all parts of the country. Welcoming remarks were given by Frank Kurt Cylke, NLS director; Wells B. Kormann, chief of the Materials Development Division; and James R. Herndon, acting head, Collection Development Section (CDS). Opening sessions featured briefings from members of the NLS staff involved in book selection, annotation writing and editing, cataloging, and all aspects of production and quality control. Presenters encouraged participation from committee members, which often resulted in interesting information exchanges. The NAG members then met in closed sessions to develop their recommendations for collection building, which NLS staff will consider for implementation where possible. The recommendations include the following: About books...  that NLS seek additional funding and/or other means of increasing production of both talking-book and braille titles to meet the growing demand for reading materials;  that nonfiction titles about grief, loss, and teenage suicide be added to the juvenile and young adult collections;  that NLS continue to produce contemporary biographies that appeal to children and young adults; for example, sports figures and entertainers;  that the reader spell out the author's full name at the beginning of each recorded book;  that NLS double annual production of Spanish titles from twenty-five to fifty;  acknowledging the excellent work of NLS in building its collections of classics and contemporary literary works, that NLS continue to develop the breadth and depth of these collections;  that up-to-date consumer medical information on conditions that affect vision be added to the collection;  that NLS contact regional libraries to determine if concerns regarding braille book bindings above BR 10000 are a widespread problem. About magazines...  that NLS review the titles selected for the magazine program to be sure they reflect the current interests of patrons, particularly Martha Stewart Living and Working Woman;  that NLS add the magazine Teen People to bridge the gap between Stone Soup and Seventeen, and that it also add a magazine focusing on senior adult interests;  that NLS search for a magazine that contains more reviews and articles about classical, popular, and country music because the primary focus of Stereo Review has shifted to items of a more technical nature;  that NLS consider replacing Bon Appetit with Cooking Light in cassette format. Commendations...  to acting head Jim Herndon and CDS staff for their excellent facilitation of this meeting, including travel arrangements, hotel accommodations, and transportation;  to the CDS staff for achieving diversity and balance in its holdings, while working within the severe constraint of selecting only 2,000 titles out of approximately 60,000 published each year;  to NLS for its continued willingness to consider requests for specific titles from patrons and the network;  to NLS for reissuing popular RD titles in RC format. (Meeting attendees Consumer group representatives: John Taylor, American Council of the Blind; Corinne A. Blank, Blinded Veterans Association; Barbara Walker, National Federation of the Blind Readers at large: Gary Adelman, Midlands Region; Barbara Wysocki, Northern Region; Michael Duke, Southern Region; Joy K. Smith, Western Region Librarians: Geraldine Adams, Midlands Region; Vicki Vogt, Northern Region; Barbara Moyer, Southern Region; Lois Gross, Western Region; Celia Holm, Children/Young Adults) (photo caption: Librarians Celia Holm and Geraldine Adams discuss collection issues with Barbara Wysocki, reader at large.) Utah regional library celebrates new scene A dedication and open house on April 24 celebrated the new building that houses the Utah regional library in Salt Lake City. The Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped shares the facility with the State Library Division (its parent organization) and several other state offices, as well as NLS's Multistate Center West. Regional librarian Gerald Buttars says, "The new location gives patrons easier access by public transportation, more reading-room space, expanded areas for learning to use our new information technology, and, in general, more pleasant surroundings for the library's many services." The featured speaker for the dedication was Frank Layden, president of the Utah Jazz men's professional basketball team. The program also featured NLS director Frank Kurt Cylke, who commended the regional library staff and volunteers for their impressive contributions to the program. Brief comments were presented by Blaine Peterson, executive director of Utah's Office of Rehabilitation; David Winder, executive director of the Department of Community and Economic Development; Gil Johnson, western representative of the American Foundation for the Blind; and officials of the Utah State Senate and the Utah House of Representatives. Light refreshments were served, and tours of the new facility followed the dedication. The Utah State Library Division, part of the Department of Community and Economic Development, administers and maintains the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped and the Multistate Center West, as well as a bookmobile program, an interlibrary loan and reference collection, and other services. Because several other organizations at the new address serve individuals who have visual or physical impairments, the needs of these individuals were important in planning the building's layout and design. The Utah Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DSBVI) offers vision screening for children, training and adjustment classes, a low-vision clinic, vocational rehabilitation, and other services that complement those of the regional library. Utah's regional library serves more than 10,000 patrons in Utah and Wyoming, circulating more than 300,000 books and magazines each year. It also provides braille contracting services for twelve neighboring states. The regional library's collection includes more than 40,000 titles on cassette and 10,000 in braille, along with several thousand large-print volumes and recorded discs. Construction of the 138,000-square-foot building began in October 1997. Total cost for the building and furnishings was about $10.6 million. The new structure replaces two older buildings that were less accessible and did not meet the needs of blind and handicapped consumers. (photo caption: Right to left: Gerald Buttars, Utah regional librarian; NLS director Frank Kurt Cylke; and Amy Owen, director of the Utah State Library, chat with patron Hazel Davila and her daughter at the dedication ceremony for the new building.) Network exchange ASCLA awards. Two 1999 Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) awards went to librarians in the NLS network. Barbara Mates, regional librarian in Cleveland, received the ASCLA Service Award, and Julie Klauber, subregional librarian for Suffolk County, New York, received the ASCLA/National Organization on Disability Award as president of Disabilities Resources, Inc. The ASCLA Service Award recognizes sustained leadership and exceptional service through participation in activities that have enhanced the stature, reputation, and overall strength of ASCLA as well as representation of ASCLA to other appropriate organizations, institutions, or government agencies. The disability award recognizes an innovative and well-organized project that successfully developed or expanded services for disabled persons. Disability Resources, Inc., has successfully targeted the 2,000 largest public libraries nationwide to share current disability-related information through its newsletter (see News, January March 1998). (photo caption: Barbara Mates.) Florida (Largo). The Pinellas Talking Book Library held its second annual Fishing Is for Everyone fundraiser on Saturday, May 22. The event again took place at Tenoroc Fishing Management Area's Derby Lake in Lakeland, Florida (see News, April June 1998). Assisted by library and Tenoroc staff, who also supplied tackle, bait, food, and transportation, twenty- four anglers with disabilities enjoyed catch-and-release fishing for two and a half hours. Even Capt. Eric Shapiro provided his professional expertise. Fishing piers and boardwalks made it easier for these anglers to get around the facility. The event raised $1,700, which will benefit free library services to Pinellas County residents who cannot use standard print due to low vision, blindness, or physical disability. (photo caption: Even though the catch was small, the event was fun and rewarding.) New Hampshire (Concord). Regional librarian Eileen Keim sends us the following article about an unexpected and valuable volunteer resource for inspecting and rewinding cassette books: Not too long ago, staff at the New Hampshire regional library were struggling to put in three hours a day per person at the rewind machines while also managing to keep up with all the other demands. We frequently got assistance through the juvenile diversion program run by the local county court, but this help tended to be irregular as well as most limited when we were most busy. Then we had an unexpected telephone call. A woman was canvassing area businesses and services to locate potential work sites for mentally retarded adults. Staff had a number of questions and concerns about this new offer. Would they have to supervise the workers? What if something went wrong? Could mentally retarded people really do the job? When New Hampshire became the first state to close its domiciliary facility for the mentally retarded, community care facilities were thin on the ground. Work Opportunities Unlimited (WOU), the organization that contacted us, had emerged to locate meaningful activities for these people. Starting with just one person working here as a test, WOU provided full-time supervision and training, followed our routines precisely, and worked out better than we had ever dreamed. Today we have our cassette books inspected, rewound, repacked, and presorted for check-in and shelving every day by a crew of mentally handicapped adult volunteers and their employment representatives from WOU, working in shifts through the day. They have become friends as well as coworkers. Thanks to the care and encouragement of the employment representatives, our rewinding is almost always complete each day, the teams' accuracy is outstanding, and staff can concentrate on our readers and on giving them the quality services they deserve. We couldn't be happier! Arizona (Phoenix). The regional library played host to two groups of visually impaired students during the spring months. In early May, six students from the Kyrene and Chandler school districts visited with their teacher and a teacher's aide. Sandra Everett, assistant director, gave a brief history of the library and its services, followed by a tour. The high point of the trip was a visit to the recording studio where Jeanie Pawlowski, volunteer coordinator, demonstrated the recording process and let each of the students sit in a recording booth and use the equipment. In late April the Library gave a similar tour and demonstration to thirteen middle school students and six teachers who visited from the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind in Tucson. After that trip, one of the students wrote that she had "never seen so many talking books in one place." (photo caption: Sandra Everett, assistant director, talks with visually impaired students.) West Virginia expands services The West Virginia regional library has doubled its staff, upgraded its technology, and reorganized its work space to improve services to blind and physically handicapped readers. Donna Calvert, manager of the Special Services Department of the West Virginia Library Commission, noted that the library's participation in the new Reader Enrollment and Delivery System (READS II) program has brought new computers into the facility to maintain patron and inventory records and to handle circulation procedures. The Special Services Department has also increased its staff to a total of eight, including two professional librarians. One of the librarians works full time as a reader-advisor. Other staff responsibilities have been redistributed to make it easier for patrons to acquire information, reading materials, and necessary equipment. "There is a stronger emphasis on each staff member's role in providing these library services," says David Price, executive director of the West Virginia Library Commission. (photo caption: Librarian Terry Matheny manages the online database for the regional library.) (photo caption: Donna Calvert, regional librarian, surveys outgoing packages for the day.) Blind Actors Offer 'New Life' for European Audiences "Novi Zivot" ("New Life"), Europe's oldest theater for blind and partially sighted individuals, has been performing for more than fifty years in countries around the continent. Based in Zagreb, Croatia, and led by Professor Antun Lastric, the troupe has often worked with celebrity directors to deliver high-level productions. Their performances not only entertain, but also "inform the public about the achievements and abilities of blind and visually impaired people," notes Lastric. Fadil Hadzic, a playwright whose work the troupe has performed, was fascinated by the skill of these amateur actors and the quality of the productions. "I must admit I was attending the opening night with great curiosity," Hadzic writes on the troupe's web site. "I was interested to see the actors--who could not see their partners--move on the stage. I was curious to find out all about it." Other audience members also were curious at first, he notes, as they tried to figure out what special techniques the actors used. "But very soon, they concentrated on the plot of the play." An insider's perspective Hadzic was concerned about the actors' self-confidence, which often depends directly on the audience's facial response--something these actors can't see. Because comedies tend to get more audible audience response, he believes, New Life prefers to produce them instead of tragedies or dramas. Hadzic also believes the directors choose comedy because it suits the troupe's personality. "The first thing that surprised me was the high spirit and happiness" of the actors, even in the dressing rooms and at rehearsals. "When they are rehearsing, they do it as if they were playing a game. There is no, so to speak, military atmosphere--so typical of professional acting--where the director is the untouchable general and the actors are (more or less) obedient soldiers." Though not rigid, the rehearsals are taken very seriously, Hadzic notes. All dialogue is learned thoroughly before the actors start to work on stage. Stage movements are precisely coordinated: "An actor makes ten steps and exactly meets and shakes his partner's hand, or successfully finds the door--not missing it at all." According to Vojin Peric, an administrator for New Life, the troupe keeps pace with the best-established theatrical companies in Croatia for three reasons: persistence, a good understanding of their audience, and the beauty of the art they perform. Also, Professor Lastric adds, many members have been with New Life for several years. So even though they are amateurs, these actors are clearly able to put on high- quality performances. The troupe today Even though New Life has had its own 345-seat theater since 1956, members spend much of their time traveling to perform for Croats living in other European countries. The troupe gives about sixty performances annually and has given more than 1,500 over the course of its fifty-three years. Many performances are for groups of students. After studying high school reading lists, New Life produces works that will fit in with the curriculum. Performances include both Croatian works, such as Hadzic's Good Morning Thieves, and masterpieces of world literature, like Moliere's Le Tartuffe, as well as works by William Saroyan, Luigi Pirandello, Karel Capek, Lope de Vega, and Georges Feydeau, among others. And in its appearances, the troupe also incorporates time to "explain to the audience what blindness really is and prepare the viewers for direct and more humanitarian contact with blind people," according to Peric. New Life, in conjunction with the Ministry of Culture, the Republic of Croatia, the Municipal Culture Office, and the City of Zagreb, has planned a festival of European theaters for the blind in October 1999. According to Peric, chairman of the festival's organizing committee, the festival is designed to improve the theatrical activities of the blind and to acquaint the public with the achievements of actors in this field. "It is the best way to establish the possibilities and talents" of people who are visually handicapped, he notes. Whether at festivals, student performances, or home in Croatia, Professor Lastric, whom Hadzic describes as "the meritorious veteran, the soul of the troupe," works tirelessly to make sure New Life's members get their most cherished reward--the applause of a satisfied audience. (Material for this article was provided by Vojin Peric, chairman of the festival organizing committee.) Don Weber receives F.J. Campbell award The prestigious Francis Joseph Campbell citation and medal were presented to Donald John Weber, chief of the Florida Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library Services, Division of Blind Services, at the New Orleans meeting of the American Library Association (ALA) in June. "Don Weber has been a strong force in shaping library services to blind and physically handicapped readers," says Beth Eckles, chair of the award committee. "Under Don's leadership, the library has grown at a rapid pace, becoming the largest library for the print-disabled in the country. His strong commitment to services for the blind has resulted in a high rate of patron growth, from 9,000 in 1975 to 46,000 currently." He has also expanded the service to a network with eleven subregional libraries (see story on page 1), guided the structured growth of both programs and physical facilities by means of a series of five-year plans, and made extensive and innovative use of volunteers including those in several prison programs. In 1995, Weber received an Outstanding Service Award from the National Federation of the Blind in Florida. As a member of ALA, he has served twice (1977 1979 and 1993 1995) on the committee to create and review Standards for Library Services to the Blind and Physically Handicapped, which provides the basis for establishing and evaluating procedures at NLS and at its network libraries. He has also served as director for the Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, Inc., in Florida from 1986 to 1998. The Campbell citation and medal are presented annually to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of library service for blind and physically handicapped people. It is sponsored by the Library Service to People with Visual or Physical Disabilities Forum of the Libraries Serving Specialized Populations Section of ALA's Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA). (photo caption: Don Weber, Florida regional librarian, expresses his thanks for the Francis Joseph Campbell citation and medal at the ASCLA presentation ceremony.) The Program The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress publishes books and magazines in braille and in recorded form on discs and cassettes for readers who cannot hold, handle, or see well enough to read conventional print because of a temporary or permanent visual or physical handicap. Through a national network of state and local libraries, the materials are loaned free to eligible readers in the United States and to U.S. citizens living abroad. Materials are sent to readers and returned by postage-free mail. Books and Magazines Readers may borrow all types of popular-interest books including bestsellers, classics, mysteries, westerns, poetry, history, biographies, religious literature, children's books, and foreign-language materials. Readers may also subscribe to more than seventy popular magazines in braille and recorded formats. Special Equipment Special equipment needed to play the discs and cassettes, which are recorded at slower than conventional speeds, is loaned indefinitely to readers. An amplifier with headphone is available for blind and physically handicapped readers who are also certified as hearing impaired. Other devices are provided to aid readers with mobility impairments in using playback machines. Eligibility You are eligible for the Library of Congress program if:  You are legally blind--your vision in the better eye is 20/200 or less with correcting glasses, or your widest diameter of visual field is no greater than 20 degrees;  You cannot see well enough or focus long enough to read standard print, although you wear glasses to correct your vision;  You are unable to handle print books or turn pages because of a physical handicap; or  You are certified by a medical doctor as having a reading disability, due to an organic dysfunction, which is of sufficient severity to prevent reading in a normal manner. How to Apply You may request an application by writing NLS or calling toll-free 1-800-424-9100, and your name will be referred to your cooperating library. News is published quarterly by: National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Library of Congress Washington, DC 20542 All correspondence should be addressed to the attention of Publications and Media Section. Editor: Vicki Fitzpatrick Writers: Rita Byrnes, Jane Caulton, Carol Corrigan, Margaret Cytron, and George Thuronyi to a network with eleven subregional libraries (see story on page 1), guided the structured growth of both programs and physical facilities by means of a series of five-year plans, and made extensive and innovative use of volunteers including those in several prison programs. In 1995, Weber received an Outstanding Service Award from the National Federation of the Blind in Florida. As a member of ALA, he has served twice (1977 1979 and 1993 1995) on the committee to create and review Standards for Library Services to the Blind and Physically Handicapped, which provides the basis for establishing and evaluating procedures at NLS and at its network libraries. He has also served as director for the Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, Inc., in Florida from 1986 to 1998. The Campbell citation and medal are presented annually to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of library service for blind and physically handicapped people. It is sponsored by the Library Service to People with Visual or Physical Disabilities Forum of the Libraries Serving Specialized Populations Section of ALA's Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA). (photo caption: Don Weber, Florida regional librarian, expresses his thanks for the Francis Joseph Campbell citation and medal at the ASCLA presentation ceremony.) The Program The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress publishes books and magazines in braille and in recorded form on discs and cassettes for readers who cannot hold, handle, or see well enough to read conventional print because of a temporary or permanent visual or physical handicap. Through a national network of state and local libraries, the materials are loaned free to eligible readers in the United States and to U.S. citizens living abroad. Materials are sent to readers and returned by postage-free mail. Books and Magazines Readers may borrow all types of popular-interest books including bestsellers, classics, mysteries, westerns, poetry, history, biographies, religious literature, children's books, and foreign-language materials. Readers may also subscribe to more than seventy popular magazines in braille and recorded formats. Special Equipment Special equipment needed to play the discs and cassettes, which are recorded at slower than conventional speeds, is loaned indefinitely to readers. An amplifier with headphone is available for blind and physically handicapped readers who are also certified as hearing impaired. Other devices are provided to aid readers with mobility impairments in using playback machines. Eligibility You are eligible for the Library of Congress program if:  You are legally blind--your vision in the better eye is 20/200 or less with correcting glasses, or your widest diameter of visual field is no greater than 20 degrees;  You cannot see well enough or focus long enough to read standard print, although you wear glasses to correct your vision;  You are unable to handle print books or turn pages because of a physical handicap; or  You are certified by a medical doctor as having a reading disability, due to an organic dysfunction, which is of sufficient severity to prevent reading in a normal manner. How to Apply You may request an application by writi