Vol. 50, No. 2 Fall 2020

50th ANNIVERSARY 1970 - 2020

FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR

 

JANET FISHER

Are you seeing or meeting with fewer people these days? We are too!

The library staff is working hard to meet the needs of our library users, without the benefit of on-site volunteers and with most of our staff working from remote locations. We are using our resources so that the library can continue to serve you, with voice mail serving as an important way to capture all incoming phone calls. Thank you for leaving messages and patiently waiting for your books, magazines, machine assistance, or call back.

The multi-book cartridges have made a difference in ensuring that we are able to keep up with book requests. Sending more than one book on a cartridge allows us to provide your requests on one cartridge with a longer checkout period. You will have only a few multi-book cartridges at most to look for as you look for a book to read. We are pleased that this program enables us to include download-only books on the cartridge. Now, we just note that you want the book and add it to the cartridge with your other books. We are working with our library catalog company to provide book titles on the mailing cards, and we are hoping to offer this in the coming months.

INCLUDED IN THIS NEWSLETTER – How to Access Multiple Books on a Cartridge.

Book Chat, the library’s book discussion group by telephone, is starting up again in November. We read one book a month and talk about it in a telephone conference call. Book Chats are held on the 2nd Thursday of the month, with one session held in the morning and another in the evening. Please contact the library if you are interested in joining us.

Thank you for using the materials and services of the Arizona Talking Book Library.

Janet Fisher, Administrator

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REMEMBERING HENRY HAYDEN

Henry Hayden, Reader Advisor at the Arizona Talking Book Library since 1989, passed away on September 30, 2020. We will remember his wit, and his love of literature, movies, family, and sports (go USC!).

Henry got such joy from working in libraries, especially in serving patrons of the Talking Book Library here in Arizona and in earlier years at the Braille Institute in Los Angeles. He also led spirited discussions every week at the Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired about books and current events.

Henry was always ready to offer a word of encouragement to those who needed it. We imagine he would know just what to say during this time of loss for library staff, volunteers, and readers, and wish that we could hear it.

We will miss Henry.

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COMMENTS FROM A LIBRARY USER

From a woman whose spouse had a progressive vision impairment:

I used to read the sports section to my husband before leaving for work, but he was stuck while I was away from 2-11pm. So, I considered contacting the Arizona Talking Book Library.

My husband was reluctant to contact anyone, including the library. I decided to call them after all.

Fast forward 6 weeks, and my husband could not believe the enjoyment he received from your wonderful library. He was glad I did it.

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CONVERSATIONS WITH AUTHORS

By Vicki Rider

As the Collection Development Librarian at the Arizona Talking Book Library, and the host of our YouTube series called “Conversations with Authors,” it’s been my absolute pleasure to connect with local authors and chat with them about their lives and writing careers. I’ve always been an “author groupie” – attending author events at local bookstores and even emailing authors (before social media!) to gush about their books – so it’s such a treat whenever they agree to talk with me.

And Arizona has a plethora of authors who write in a variety of genres! Amy Fellner Dominy writes heartfelt and funny young adult novels that are also great reads for adults. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Paul Brinkley Rogers published a beautiful memoir while living in Arizona about his time as a young man in the Navy during World War II and the special relationship he shared with a local Japanese woman while stationed there. Steve Welker and his wife, Kristina, have written both a memoir and self-help book about the accident that injured both and took his sight, and how they have overcome many challenges. Local journalist and author Katrina Shawver penned the fascinating biography of a Polish National who survived two concentration camps during World War II and ended up living in Ahwatukee; and Michael Hale wrote and illustrated an adorable and hilarious children’s picture book about a monkey who invites too many animal friends into Mrs. McMoody’s house during a rain storm!

You can listen to my interviews with these authors by clicking on this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNblBcED9NkTy31n6qL5U5A. And here is a list of books by these wonderful writers for you to borrow from our library:

Amy Fellner Dominy: OyMG - DBC12807; Audition and Subtraction - DBC05861; A Matter of Heart - DBC12851.

Paul Brinkley-Rogers: Please Enjoy Your Happiness - DBC15327.

Steve & Kristina Welker: The World at My Fingertips: A Personal Story of Triumph over Tragedy - DBC12811; Radical Resiliency: Steps for Climbing to New Heights Regardless of Life’s Challenges - DBC05871.

Katrina Shawver: Henry: a Polish swimmer’s true story of friendship from Auschwitz to America - DBC12870

Michael Hale: Bad Monkey Business - DBC15348.

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ARIZONA FRIENDS OF TALKING BOOKS

Arizona Friends of Talking Books - a non-profit organization which supports the Arizona Talking Book Library, its volunteer programs and local recording studios through fundraising, advocacy, and outreach. Thanks for all your support!

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HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS DURING COVID-19

People are happiest, healthiest, safest and supported when they are listened to and treated with respect by the people in their lives. In healthy relationships, people are kind to you and check in with you. They respect your choices and encourage you to be independent. But sometimes family members or caregivers hurt or harm others.

During COVID-19, a quiet, unseen tragedy is unfolding for the approximately 1 in 10 older adults who experience physical, emotional, sexual, financial, and spiritual abuse. While physical distancing will slow the virus, isolation is also a risk factor and a weapon of abuse. Like the pandemic itself, abuse can be a matter of life and death.

Are you or someone you know experiencing any of the following:

• Are there times when people you trust or love hurt or harm you, or make you feel afraid?
• Do you ever feel put down or made to do things you don’t want to do?
• Does someone in your life use your things or money without your permission?
• Does someone keep you from seeing your doctor or friends?
• Does someone keep you from practicing your spiritual beliefs?
• Does someone threaten you?

If family members or caregivers are not treating you with respect and dignity, being hurt by someone is not your fault – do not blame yourself. You may want to consider these ideas to increase healing and connection.

• Talk to your doctor, spiritual leader, other helping professional or people you trust.
• Spend time with supportive friends and family members.
• Keep as physically active as possible and eat well.
• Enjoy music and movies, see people you love if you can, and participate in activities that make you feel happy and strong.
• Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or the elder locator at 800-677-1116 for information.

Sometimes family or friends take money or things that do not belong to them. No one should handle your money or accounts without your permission.

• Put their name on your bank account, ATM card or credit cards and withdrew money without your permission?
• Taken valuable items without your permission?
• Pressured you into changing your will or other financial documents?
• Forged your signature on documents?

If you or someone you know may have been financially exploited, you can contact the police, adult protective services or a civil lawyer for help.

Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

Resources

For support or information about domestic violence or elder abuse, call the National Domestic Violence National Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233).

For support or information about sexual abuse, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline 800-656-4673.

For information about services for older adults, elder locator at 800-677-1116 for information about services.

To report elder abuse, call 911 or your local adult protective services.

For more information about elder abuse,

• National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL) www.ncall.us
• National Center on Elder Abuse www.ncea.acl.gov

Bonnie Brandl

National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life

[email protected]

Reprinted from the CTBL News (Colorado Talking Book Library), Spring 2020.

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HOW TO ACCESS MULTIPLE BOOKS ON A CARTRIDGE

When you receive a cartridge with multiple books on it, you can access the books in one of two ways: The Easy Way and the Bookshelf Mode.

#1 - The Easy Way

1. When you reach the very end of the book or initial instructions, press the green, rectangular Play button.

2. The machine will then prompt the patron to, “Press the Play button again to go on to the next book.” Go ahead and press the play button again, and the machine will start playing the next book.

#2 - Bookshelf Mode (Skipping over books, etc.)

1. Insert the cartridge in the player and turn the power on by pressing the red, circular Power Button.

2. Press and hold the green, rectangular Play button for about 3 seconds until the player beeps and says “Bookshelf” and announces the number of books on the cartridge.

3. Tap the Rewind or Fast Forward button, located on each side of the green, rectangular Play button, to select the next book. The book title will be announced. To advance to the next title, just press the Fast Forward button again, or tap the rewind again to go to the previous book.

4. Once you get to the title you want to read, press the green, rectangular Play button. The player will exit Bookshelf Mode and start playing the selected title.

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LOCAL MAGAZINES

You may have noticed there are fewer magazines on our Arizona Magazine (AZM) cartridge for the last few months. The slowdown and closing of recording facilities during this COVID health situation has affected us, both locally and nationally. We are hoping that the situation improves and magazine recording volunteers will return in the near future. Please be patient and know that we are working as hard as we can to come up with ideas to get magazines to you.

Those of you receiving multiple books on a cartridge, who are also signed up for our Arizona Magazines, may have noticed you have not gotten any magazines from us since April. Please call us and let us know if you would like to update your magazine list to ensure that you will receive them again. A list of our local magazine titles can be sent to you and you can sign up for the ones you want. You will receive those magazines only, instead of all local magazines. As each issue is produced, it will be automatically sent to you on the multiple book cartridges.

If you are not yet receiving multiple book cartridges, please know that as we move more into that program you will also need to update your magazine list. So, call and make sure we have your magazine preferences noted.

If you have questions, please call us at 1-800-255-5578 or 602-255-5578.

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The 24th Annual VRATE Expo

Vision Rehabilitation & Assistive Technology Expo

Friday, November 13th, 2020

8:00am to 5:00pm

Conference Theme - Expanding Our World

This year VRATE is going virtual with presentations in a contact-free environment! Join us from anywhere in the world with your phone, tablet or computer and experience the Southwest’s largest & longest running Vision Loss/Blindness Resource Event.

This expo is free of charge to the public.

Registration prior to the event is required for access to the information sessions and virtual exhibitor room. Go to www.vrateaz.com

If you need assistance with registering, please email us at [email protected] or call 951-316-5363.

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