Upstate Update - Fall 2008

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In this issue:

State’s Fiscal Problems May Affect Service

We hope you know that we take some pride in giving you the best library service that we can. We are well aware that for most of you we are your only public library, the only free source of such a broad range of special format reading material available to you. However, we must ask for your patience and indulgence in the coming months, and perhaps longer, because we expect to have a difficult time attaining let alone maintaining the standards that we always aim for and to which you are entitled.

You doubtless know that the state is experiencing yet another fiscal crisis, and when tax money is not available or not spent, services tend to drop off. As a result of this monetary problem the state has imposed a hard hiring freeze and “no currently vacant or newly vacated positions will be filled” in the foreseeable future. It is possible that other privations and economies may yet be forced upon us in order for the state to save money. Unfortunately this latest hiring freeze comes at a time when we are unusually low in staff, and we are down to three quarters of the staff we had a year ago. It will be difficult to prevent this staff shortage from having a negative effect on our ability to check in and send out books and to respond promptly to all the many service needs that you have.

In addition, this situation has hit the library at a complicated time when we are about to begin the transfer to a completely new digital technology for our recorded books, and, at the same time, we are preparing to acquire a new automation system.

While we feel that in all fairness we must alert you to the possibility of some decline in the level of service, you may be assured that we will do our utmost to minimize the impact of our problems on you.

 Digital Books and Machines

For some time now Talking Book Topics and other sources have been providing information about the new digital format books and the digital talking book machine (DTBM). The DTBM is smaller (6 x 9 x 2 inches) and lighter (2½ pounds) than the cassette player (7 pounds). Another plus is that the new machine has a much longer battery life and will play for 35 hours on one charge. A useful new feature is that the machine can give you an audio announcement of battery charge details to let you know how much playing time remains. Because of federal fiscal problems there has been a delay in the provision of these machines, but we now expect the first shipment to arrive by spring 2009.

By the time the machines get here we should have a small collection of digital books (DB) for use with this machine. DBs are on “flash cartridges” similar in appearance to a cassette, but using them will be much simpler. The beveled edge of the cartridge slips smoothly into the player, and you won’t have to turn the cartridge over or use a side selector switch, as you must now to read a cassette book. Most books will come on one cartridge only, another big plus.

It will take several years to build up the DB collection, and during the transition you can have two machines because cassette books will continue to be available for some years. We will, however, have fewer cassette titles as the number of digital titles grows. Magazines will be on cassette for some time too as these will be the last to transition to digital.

Call us if you have any questions, and stay tuned for more information about the new digital service in future editions of this newsletter.

Establishing a DTBM Waiting List

In preparation for the arrival and distribution of the DTBMs we are establishing a waiting list, maintained in the order in which the requests are received. Please contact the library if you want to be added to this list. We are legally required to give priority to honorably discharged veterans of the US armed forces, and then to patrons who are 100 years of age or more, so when asking to be placed on the waiting list please make sure that we know if either of these criteria applies to you.

Following distribution to veterans and centenarians, DTBMs will be assigned on a first-come first-served basis to borrowers of good standing. Such a borrower is one who is an active and regular user of this library service and who returns books in good time and in good condition. We will not have enough machines for everyone for a long time, so unfortunately not everyone who wants a machine will be able to get it as quickly as they would like.  We appreciate your patience during this transition.

When Can I Expect More Books?

We are often asked that question, and we usually have to say “It depends.” It depends on a lot of things, such as when you return books, how long the books will take coming back in the mail, how fast we can process the returned books, what your service pattern is, and whether or not you have available books on your request list.

The system works best if you can mail back books to us one at a time as you finish reading them. We send books to you on a one-for-one replacement basis. For each book we get back from you we try to send another, from your list or through computer selection. By sending books back as you finish them you create a circular flow of books to and from the library rather than sending a lot of books back at once and having long waiting periods between mailings.

You can, of course, contact us at any time and ask for more books, though the automatic process should work fine as long as you have communicated to us your basic service requirements. Call us toll free at (800) 342-3688 to discuss these.   

Important Information about Returning Machines

We understand how frustrating it is when your machine breaks down in the middle of a book. This is why we want to make sure you get a working replacement as soon as possible.

Please be aware that just sending the machine back is not the way to get another machine, and we ask that you do not include explanatory notes in any returned materials. There are many reasons for a machine’s return, including the wish to discontinue service, so we do not automatically send a replacement. You must contact the library directly and explain your need. When you talk with us we might be able to correct the problem over the phone, making it unnecessary to return the machine after all.

Similarly, if you want to stop the service, just returning your machine does not have this effect. Again, you must instruct us directly. Without specific instructions we will not automatically cancel anyone’s service, or send a replacement machine. To talk with a staff member call (800) 342-3688 or (518) 474-5935.  

Bimonthly Web Book Listings

If you are accustomed to accessing the latest edition of Talking Book Topics and Braille Book Review through this library’s online public access catalog, please note that the most recent editions are not available in this way. This is because we currently do not have the necessary staff to take care of these updates. These National Library Service listings of the latest additions to the collection can be accessed at:
http://www.loc.gov/nls/tbt/index.htmlExternal Icon Link and http://www.loc.gov/nls/bbr/index.htmlExternal Icon Link.

Braille Music Publications from NBP

Two reasonably priced single volume braille publications are available from the National Braille Press, 88 St. Stephen Street, Boston, MA 02115-4302, (800) 548-7323, www.nbp.orgExternal Icon Link. Shipping and handling should be added to the price given.

If you need a good grounding in the braille music code, How To Read Braille Music: An Introduction may be for you. It explains the music braille symbols most often found in elementary through intermediate-level music. The cost is $9.95.

Who’s Afraid of Braille Music costs $11.00. It introduces the concepts of reading, writing, singing, and playing braille music for all ages. Use this book if you want to help someone learn to read braille music but don’t know where to start, or if you are a blind musician who wants to know how to read your own music.

 

Mention of a product or service in this newsletter does not constitute endorsement by this library. Our intention is to increase an awareness of programs, services, and products that may be helpful to our patrons.

Last Updated: June 15, 2009