Talking Book Services Resources Roundup

The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) is "a free braille and talking book library service for people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical, perceptual, or reading disability that prevents them from using regular print materials." The Mississippi Library Commission's (MLC) Talking Book Services (TBS) is the local network NLS library in Mississippi. That means that MLC staff are here to help set you up with NLS, troubleshooting your BARD and equipment problems, and assisting with finding books you want to read. That's not all they do, though! Here are just a few of the extra services we provide.

That All May Social Media

That All May Read. That's the slogan of the National Library Services for the Blind and Print Disabled. I think about those words a lot. In 2018, the National Health Interview Survey found that over 32 million American adults experienced vision loss--that's loss of vision that can't be corrected, even with glasses or contacts. A different source, the American Printing House, estimates that over 55,000 children under the age of 21 had the same diagnosis. In a world that has become increasingly visual -- with eye-popping memes and long, drawn-out hashtags, marketing floods our consciousness from early in the morning to late every night, day after day after day. When we aren't intentional about reaching everyone, we omit huge chunks of the population. You can make your social media more accessible for others using the tools and ideas below.

All About That Braille

Braille: it's the bumpy bits that Blind people use to read, right? Invented by Frenchman Louis Braille (1809-1852) in 1824, this writing system is known worldwide as an aid for those without vision. It can be found nearly everywhere, from elevators to the tops of fast food drink lids, but that might be all you know about braille. There are some pretty cool facts about the little bumps that connect the visually impaired to both the written word and a world designed around those who have sight. Let me share a few of my favorite nuggets about how braille came to be and why we love it so much, because here at MLC? We're all about that braille.

Looking For a Few Good Readers

Talking Book Services (TBS) is one of the best kept secrets in Mississippi, and, truth be told, in the entire nation. Thing is, TBS is something everyone should know about. It provides thousands upon thousands of books and magazines directly to people who want to read them, so that every American, regardless of disability or reading ability can access the reading material they want. But when did this amazing program come about, just who is eligible, and what do they even get? Well, let me tell you...

Life Is What You Bake It...

Elisabeth Scott

Reference Librarian

...and so is cooking while blind or visually impaired. 

People have this idea that you shouldn't touch anything in the kitchen because you're low vision or blind. They think you'll have a lot or accidents or get hurt or something. But accidents don't have much of anything to do with sight, and there are a lot of preventative measures you can take to be a competent low-vision or blind chef.

That's Margaret Smitherman, Patron Services Librarian with MLC's Talking Book Services. Margaret is a low vision cook herself. She says that one of her favorite cooking memories was receiving her grandmother's recipe for pound cake, which was intended to be made in a wood-burning stove. The recipe even had directions for picking the proper sized logs to use in the oven. It was printed in New York Point, an early form of dot system used by the blind. Margaret adapted the recipe for a modern oven and has made it multiple times over the years, most recently for an MLC holiday gathering. (I'm here to tell you, it's delicious.) Some of her favorite tips for cooking with low or no vision include using a whistling tea kettle, keeping a bowl of ice water on the counter for treating mild burns, and using your timer and your nose to know when food is done.

There are a lot of places out there with advice and pointers on how to get started cooking with a visual impairment. Here are a few places we found to get you started:

• This article from the American Printing House for the Blind gives some great tips for organization and prep work when cooking.
  
  
• The Blind Kitchen offers videos and recipes for those with low or no vision, with the added bonus of having adaptive equipment available to purchase from their store.
  
  
• Cooking without Looking is a fun YouTube channel that features blind and low vision people cooking and leading their lives. There's a podcast, too!
  
  
• This article from The Blind Guide has more excellent tips for cooking with low or no vision. The website was started when the author's mother lost her vision in the 1990s.
  

If you're in Mississippi, you couldn't ask for a better resource to get cooking in the kitchen than the Addie McBryde Rehabilitation Center for the Blind. A part of the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, they teach those with low or no vision how to cook on their own, imparting important skills like meal planning and preparation, grocery shopping, and kitchen organization. If you know someone who can benefit from this service, fill out their online form here.

Last but not least, don't forget about MLC's Talking Book Services! The service is available to all Mississippians who are unable to read standard print due to a visual, physical, or print disability. Their catalog offers hundreds of cookbooks and other books about cooking which can be accessed by downloading or requesting a hard copy on cartridge. Give them a call at 1-800-446-0892 if you have any questions or need help signing up for the service.

Bringing Books to the Blind and Print Disabled

Mary Rodgers Beal

Talking Book Services Director

Mary Rodgers Beal, Mississippi's Talking Book Services Director, attended the National Library Service’s Regional Conference for the Northern and Southern regions last month in Daytona Beach, Florida. (The Western and Midlands regions held separate conferences.) The State Librarian of Florida, Amy Johnson, and NLS Deputy Director, Jason Yasner, gave opening remarks for the multi-day conference. A highlight of her trip was the entertainment for the conference banquet: a patron of FTBBL is also an accomplished trumpeter who serenaded conference-goers during their meal. 

Mary Rodgers learned about ways other libraries utilize outreach, toured the Florida Talking Book and Braille Library (FTBBL), and met with librarians from other talking book libraries. She thinks the structure of the Florida TBBL is pretty interesting; it's one of the few states to have subregional branches in addition to their regional library. These branches are housed in public libraries around Florida. Mississippi libraries can, of course, contact Talking Book Services here at MLC directly for information and tools to connect with the blind and print disabled in their communities. She also checked into how other regional libraries are handling the transition to Books-on-Demand and networked with other librarians about common successes and setbacks.

Beal says that she looks forward to sharing what she learned with others in her department! This will include refreshers on repair and operation of current digital players, as well as information on a new player set to come out in the future. 

Would you like to get involved with Talking Book Services in Mississippi? If you or someone you know has a visual, physical, or print disability that prevents the reading of standard print books, give us a call toll-free at 1-800-446-0892. You can also ask for information on joining the MS Talking Books Friends group (Friends of Handicapped Readers) for National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled updates.

Meet MLC Monday: Zach Burton

Elisabeth Scott

Reference and Social Media Librarian

Meet Zach Burton, Patron Access Coordinator at the Mississippi Library Commission (MLC)! Zach helps maintain and circulate the Talking Book Services' digital book collection. He also maintains, circulates, and repairs MLC's National Library Service (NLS) digital book players. Zach holds a bachelor's degree in Anthropology and is currently enrolled at the University of Southern Mississippi as he finishes a master's degree in Library and Information Science with an Archival Certification.

Zach began working at MLC in September of 2022. He says, "I love being able to provide a service to the visually impaired community of our state; it is an incredibly rewarding line of work. Furthermore, I’ve greatly enjoyed working with all of my coworkers since I’ve begun here at MLC and look forward to the continued experience."

When asked his thoughts on libraries, Zach replies, "I like libraries for a plethora of reasons. Most simply, I love books and I love learning. More than that though, I believe the institutions of libraries and archives serve as some of the greatest bastions of intellectual freedom within a modern democracy. Within a library, we all have the freedom to explore any set of ideas which interest us, without being limited by economic restraints."

Zach loves to read, but claims that it’s too hard to pick a favorite book. (We understand; we have the same problem!) Two of his recent favorites are East of Eden by John Steinbeck, which he calls an undeniable classic, and Thomas Merton’s New Seeds of Contemplation, which he says is one of the most important books he's ever read. He also has a recommendation for sci-fi fans: he just completed Gene Wolfe’s The Book of The Long Sun and labels it a literary masterpiece.

When Zach isn't busy working or reading, he spends most of his time with his partner and their dog. He also manages to fit in time hiking and playing bass, drums, and guitar in a few bands, all while juggling his stack of graduate work.

Meet MLC Monday: Akeyla Harper

Elisabeth Scott

Reference and Social Media Librarian

Meet Akeyla Harper, Patron Services Librarian at the Mississippi Library Commission (MLC)! Akeyla serves as a readers' advisor for the Talking Book Services (TBS) department. This includes selecting books to send to patrons and assisting them over the phone with questions about/requests for specific books. She is also involved outreach activities. Akeyla, a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Jackson State University, holds a bachelor’s degree in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation. She is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist.

Akeyla began working at MLC in April of 2022. She loves the services TBS provides to Mississippians. "My favorite part of my job is being able to assist the patrons who we provide this amazing service to. TBS is a great resource for special populations of people who sometimes believe they can’t do things because of a disability." Akeyla has discovered that she really enjoys advocating for listening to books for leisure, as well as introducing new people to the idea of listening to books as a way to improve overall quality of life. She says that these same ideas apply to libraries. "I like libraries because of all the resources they provide, their peacefulness, and the helpful staff. Libraries are a no judgement space filled with books, computers, and more for people to go to for free to open their minds to something new. Libraries are important because they are for everyone."

Akeyla loves to read, but she doesn't have a favorite book, or even a favorite genre. Instead, she prefers to read a variety of stories: fantasy, sci-fi, drama, anime, current events, adventure, mystery, and crime. Recently, she's begun reading more short stories, just for the quickness of them. 

When she's not busy spreading a love of reading at MLC, you can find Akeyla playing board games with her kids and traveling with her family. She also likes listening to music, swimming, and being outside on a warm day in the fresh air and sun. Akeyla enjoys games, especially word search puzzles and phone and video games. She also spends some of her downtime watching movies, anime, documentaries, and crime shows.

Meet MLC Monday: Evan Theilman

 Elisabeth Scott

Reference and Social Media Librarian

 

Meet Evan Theilman, Patron Services Librarian and Readers Advisor in the Talking Book Services Department at the Mississippi Library Commission. Evan helps patrons select digital books, as well as responding to any concerns or questions they may have. He also assists in downloading books to cartridges for patrons. Evan holds a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Mississippi. 

Evan began working at MLC December 1 and says he enjoys working for an organization that's motivated by helping people rather than being purely profit-driven. When asked why he thinks libraries are important, Evan responds, "Libraries provide everyone with access to information that used to be the domain of the wealthy. They're a great tool you can use to better yourself for free."

Evan spends a fair amount of his free time reading, especially science fiction and fantasy novels. Even though it falls into neither category, his favorite book is The Count of Monte Cristo. When he's not reading, you can find him building models, cooking, and playing video games and RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons.

Join MLC's Talking Book Services!

Our Talking Book Services Department is hiring! Seize this opportunity to serve Mississippians who are unable to read standard print due to a visual, physical, or print disability and work in a great environment at the Mississippi Library Commission.

We are located at the Research and Development Center in Jackson, Mississippi, just off Lakeland Drive and Ridgewood Road. Our award-winning facility is the home to the Mississippi Center for the Book, a Patent and Trademark Resource Center, and, of course, the Mississippi Talking Book Service for the Blind and Print Disabled. We also offer extensive reference and interlibrary loan services for Mississippians and library consulting services, digital services, and network services for libraries and librarians across the state. Our current openings include:

• Librarian I
  Closes Friday, November 15, 2021
• Librarian II
  Closes Friday, November 5, 2021
  

If you are interested in joining our team, please submit an application to the Mississippi State Personnel Board.

Mississippi Talking Books Gets an Update

Mary Rodger Beal, Talking Book Services Director

Sebastian Murdoch, Readers Advisor

 

Talking Book Services Director Mary
Rodgers Beal shows off the updated webpage.

If you're one of our Mississippi Talking Book Services patrons, you may have noticed a few changes in our Talking Book Services online catalog. These changes have been made with your convenience in mind, and we hope you’ll enjoy how much easier it is to navigate our website. 

 

One new feature? Check which books are waiting to be shipped to you and which books are currently checked out to you!

1. Log in to your account.
   
   
2. Click on the Account tab.
   
   
3. Click on the Reading History tab.
   
   
4. Browse by Requests, Items Waiting to Ship, or Currently Checked Out Items.

You can also browse recent and popular titles from the main page and order books yourself.

1. Log in to your account.
   
   
2. Select a book you’d like to order.
    
3. At the bottom of the page, click on the Add Book to Your Book Basket button
    
4. Click the Proceed to Checkout button.
   

If you have any questions about how to navigate the site, or if you have questions about becoming a Mississippi Talking Book Services patron, please call our Readers Advisors at 601-432-4151 or toll free at 1-800-446-0892. They'd love to help you!

Two of MLC's Talking Book Services Readers Advisors, JD Burns and Sebastian Murdoch

Meet MLC Monday: Margaret Smitherman

We're grateful we can help you get to know our MLC staff better, doubly so when it's our veteran staff. Welcome back to another edition of Meet MLC Monday "Senior Edition"! Margaret Smitherman has been a Readers Advisor with the Mississippi Library Commission's Talking Book Services for the Blind and Print Disabled for nearly 15 years; she started with the agency back in April of 2006. Margaret works directly with Talking Book Services members: assisting with their applications, helping with book requests and suggestions, pointing them in the right direction for other library issues, and, of course, “other duties as assigned”. Some people may not realize this, but our readers advisors are in a unique relationship with their patrons. They talk to many of these library users weekly about books they need and issues they're having. It can become a true labor of love--connecting people with books and the outside world.

 

Over the years, as Margaret helped people across the state with their book needs, she also helped them adapt to technology and service changes. She says, "When I first came to work here, we had a program called Lobe Library, which was a kind of trial of what our digital book program has become. I was put in charge of this program, where I sent downloaded books from an Audible platform out to a list of participating patrons on a little device that would only hold one book. We did this until the digital book service was well established in 2010."

We asked Margaret a few more tough questions, but she graciously gave us frank answers. We learned that she is a cat-loving early bird who thrives in the warm summer months. She also said that, if she had to hook up two characters from different books, that she would set up David Copperfield with Sara Crewe. "I don’t think there is any danger of them getting married, but I would love to read their letters to each other." Margaret, who is a big fantasy and sci-fi fan, told us about the most famous person she met. She and her husband took a Star Trek cruise with most of the original cast back in 1987. She says, "They were all interesting people to meet, but the one who made the biggest impression on me was Mark Leonard, who played Spock’s father. We got to know him very well, and were even part of an organization that hosted a Star Trek Convention in Jackson with him as the guest in the 1990s."

Stay tuned as we check back in with other long-time MLC staff from time to time here on Meet MLC Monday. Until next time, happy reading!

Meet MLC Monday: Sebastian Murdoch

Elisabeth Scott

Reference Librarian/Social Media Coordinator

Meet Sebastian Murdoch, Patron Services Librarian/Readers Advisor for Talking Book Services at the Mississippi Library Commission (MLC). Sebastian assists patrons in finding and receiving digital books from the Talking Book Services program. She holds a bachelor's degree in Literature from Mississippi College and a master's degree in Creative Writing from Lesley University.

Sebastian started at MLC just under one month ago. She says, "I like working at MLC because everyone here is so warm and welcoming, and they all genuinely love what they do." According to her, the best part of her job so far is helping people find the books they most want to read. Of libraries, Sebastian says, "I love libraries because of the possibilities and opportunities they represent. There are so many things libraries do for the community, and without them, the world would feel like a much smaller, lonelier place."

Sebastian loves to read. Her favorite book is a tie between Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie and Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison. One of the latest books she read was Luster by Raven Leilani, which she says was "gorgeous and heartbreaking." When she isn't reading, Sebastian likes to write short stories. She is currently working on a novel. She delights in horror and enjoys writing, reading, and watching her favorite genre, especially if it's set in a creepy small town.

Meet MLC Monday: Nikki Jones

Meet Nikki Jones, Talking Book Services (TBS) Reader’s Advisor at the Mississippi Library Commission (MLC)! Nikki began working at MLC at the beginning of July and her main job duty is  assisting patrons with the selection of braille and talking books. She holds a bachelor's degree in English from Temple University and a master's degree in Education from Eastern University. She comes to MLC with public library experience with the Jackson Hinds Library System. She received their Leadership Award in 2011.

Nikki has enjoyed learning about the unique services that TBS offers its patrons. She says, "I like working at MLC because it is an efficient agency that offers library services for all Mississippians."She adds, "I like libraries because you can travel the world, learn a trade, vicariously feed a lion, explore history, dive into the future, and discover the life and experiences of others all under one roof. It truly is an amazing place to learn about the world in which we live!"

She likes to read about people and their life experiences because so many lessons can be learned from them. Her favorite book is the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. She also loves animals and cares for several cats.

Meet MLC Monday: Jayson Bounds

Meet Jayson Bounds, Circulation Services Librarian in Talking Book Services for the Mississippi Library Commission (MLC)! Jayson started at MLC at the end of May, so his introduction to library life has been unusual, to say the least. No matter! He is quickly learning the basics of his job: keeping audiobooks stocked on our shelves and sending them out to patrons. He also checks that the digital cartridges aren't defective when they're returned through the mail. Jayson holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Belhaven University.

Jayson enjoys filling people's audiobook requests because he finds it interesting to see which books are most popular. (It's not always the current bestsellers!) His love for libraries stems from his passion for history. "I have always been fascinated by history and libraries hold those books that can act as gates to the past."

Although he only reads occasionally, recently Jayson was inspired to read his now favorite book, A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin, after watching the Game of Thrones series. Sports are his true passion. He likes rooting for his favorite football team, the Philadelphia Eagles, his favorite basketball team, the Philadelphia 76ers, and his favorite baseball team, the Atlanta Braves. When he has time, he also likes to play those sports with friends and unwind by playing video games, like The Witcher 3.

Please join us in welcoming Jayson to the Mississippi Library Commission!

Meet MLC Monday: Kristen Hillman

Meet Kristen Hillman, Patron Services Librarian in Talking Book Services (TBS) for the Mississippi Library Commission (MLC)! Kristen has been working at MLC for just over a month. She assists patrons with searching for books, as well as providing support with digital book players, assisting the TBS circulation department, and attending and coordinating outreach events.











Kristen holds a bachelor's degree in Secondary English Education from The University of Mississippi and spent three years as a 9-12th classroom teacher. She also holds her Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from the University of Southern Mississippi (USM). Prior to coming to MLC, she worked for two years as a Youth Services Librarian at the Pearl Public Library.

The people are part of Kristen's favorite part of working at MLC. "Getting to assist the patrons in finding the right book for them is my favorite part of the job." She also notes that MLC has supported her in her career as a librarian with workshops and other training. She feels honored to be able to assist others on the same path by leading the same types of trainings and workshops. Kristen led her first training, the SLP Early Literacy Workshop, on January 22.

She has a long history with libraries; they've been important to her since she was little. "When I was a child, my mom would bring me to the public library to select books and movies each week. Without that early start, I do not think I would enjoy reading as much as I do now. I believe that libraries are essential to the early development of the children we serve as well as providing occupational and educational assistance to adults and fun programs for all ages"

Kristen loves to read. Her favorite books are actually book series: The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. She also enjoys the classics, such as works by Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Mary Shelley. She admits to an obsession with Henry VIII and his six wives, especially Anne Boleyn, and loves to read about them. The last book she read was Julia Fox's Sister Queens: The Noble, Tragic Lives of Katherine of Aragon and Juana, Queen of Castile, a non-fiction book about the life of Henry VIII’s first wife, Katherine of Aragon, and her sister, Juana of Castile.

When Kristen isn't absorbed by the library life and reading, she likes gardening, kayaking, traveling, and playing video games. She bakes some of the finest chocolate chip cookies you will ever eat and she likes to eat them while lazing around on the couch with her two dogs, Foxy Brown and Mikey.

MLC's MRB at NLS in DC

Talking Book Services Director Mary Rodgers Beal recently returned from a whirlwind training trip to Washington, D.C. While there, she attended National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) Orientation, a training hosted three times each year for network librarians from across the United States. NLS is "a free braille and talking book library service for people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical disability that prevents them from reading or holding the printed page. Through a national network of cooperating libraries, NLS circulates books and magazines in braille or audio formats, delivered by postage-free mail or instantly downloadable."

TBS Director Mary Rodgers Beal at the Library of Congress

Mary Rodgers says that some of her favorite parts of the training were touring the NLS recording booth and experiencing the book recording process firsthand, learning more about talking book player repair, and the tour of the Library of Congress.

The National Archives and Records Administration building

Did you know the Library of Congress still has a physical card catalog for part of its collection?

The prettiest, most stately reading room in existence, found at the Library of Congress

Mary Rodgers also loved hearing from the book and magazine production team. "It was neat to hear all of the different parts of the process of picking which books to order and record and then how they go on and process the books in their catalog to share with the network libraries."

NLS seminar

Mary Rodgers said that networking with other NLS staff was fun and informative, but that she was ready to get back to Mississippi to apply what she had learned. You can learn more about Talking Book Services here in the Magnolia State by visiting their webpage. Welcome back, Mary Rodgers!

So That All May Read

Take a moment to think about what it would be like not to being able to read. You could never lose yourself in a novel or read an autobiography on your favorite hero or heroine. Through the Mississippi Library Commission's Talking Book Services, reading for those with visual impairments or other disabilities can become a reality. MLC partners with the Library of Congress to provide Talking Book Services to Mississippians. With a wide range of popular fiction and nonfiction titles for adults, teens, and children, this free service is open for all eligible residents who are unable to read standard print due to a visual, physical, or organic reading disability.

I recently traveled with Mary Rodgers Beal, Talking Book Services Director, to the Bolden Moore Library on Wiggins Road in Jackson. The library hosts the Westside Community Senior Organization in their meeting room Monday through Friday. The group gardens, makes quilts, and accesses computers and the internet at this library. They welcomed Mary Rodgers and me with open arms and were eager to hear about the service.

Plants tended by participants of the Westside Community Senior Organization.

Quilts created by participants of the Westside Community Senior Organization.

Mary Rodgers explains Talking Book Services.

It was a great morning; I enjoyed meeting these wonderful folks and being reminded of all the wonderful things Talking Book Services does. If there is someone in your life who has difficulty reading and you want to get them started with Talking Book Services, check out the information and applications on the eligibility page on our website or call us at 1-800-446-0892.

Mary Rodgers explains Talking Book Services.

Talking about Talking Books

Yesterday, Talking Book Services Director Shellie Zeigler visited Sunflower County Library in Indianola, MS. She spent time with the Indianola Civic League, explaining the services, who is qualified, and how to sign up. The group was delighted with Zeigler's presentation and many plan to take advantage of the program. One particular lady was curious about something, though. "Well, how do people find out about this program??" Shellie's answer? Our outreach efforts! Talking Book Services staff would love to travel to your Mississippi organization and speak:

• Lion's Club
• Rotary Club
• Kiwanis
• MS Federation of Women's Clubs
• Other service and civic clubs
• Church groups
• Retirement homes
• Assisted living facilities

If your group is interested in scheduling a presentation, please call 601-432-4123 or email Shellie Zeigler at szeigler@mlc.lib.ms.us. Until next time, happy reading!

Talking Book Services Patron Becomes Published Author

by Shellie Zeigler, Talking Book Services

Mississippi Talking Book Services patron Karen Brown has released a moving memoir through Mississippi's Nautilus Publishing Company. Sandpiper: My Journey with Sight and Blindness is about her progression from a slow loss of sight in her early 20s to complete blindness by age 30. Ms. Brown has strong roots here in the Jackson area. She lived in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Louisiana before making her way back to Mississippi for good. She became the director of the Addie McBryde Rehabilitation Center in 2002 and led that organization for seven years.

In her book, Ms. Brown shares the path her life took over the years: from marrying her husband in Germany, to raising their son, to having three different guide dogs, to teaching English in Florida. Karen's book should be categorized as an inspirational autobiography, if only for her strong faith in God and her optimistic attitude that helped guide her through the struggles she faced. Now a patron for 43 years, Ms. Brown stated that one of the first services she received as a visually impaired person was the Talking Book Services at the Mississippi Library Commission. She stated, "Reading has always been such a treasure for me. I never lost that. I started with the record players that the service provided." That service has changed over the years, but we still have the same goal: no one should ever lose the ability to read, regardless of any impairments. Sandpiper is currently being recorded as part of our ongoing effort to make books by Mississippi authors available to our Talking Book Services patrons.

Karen Brown will be giving a reading and book signing tomorrow, Friday, September 9, 2016, at Lemuria Books in Jackson, MS at 5 p.m. Her book can also be purchased at amazon.com.