Monthly Newsletter
June 2004
The Boss Reconsidered - Michael S. Lucas
State Library Board Report
20th Annual Talking Book Conference - Judy Bow
LSTA Equipment Policies Now Online - Missy Lodge
Helping Books Connection - Ruth Metcalf
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News Monthly Newsletter June 2004 |
Contents: The Boss Reconsidered - Michael S. Lucas State Library Board Report 20th Annual Talking Book Conference - Judy Bow LSTA Equipment Policies Now Online - Missy Lodge Helping Books Connection - Ruth Metcalf |
The Boss Reconsidered |
Michael S. Lucas State Librarian |
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So, are there any Bruce Springsteen fans out there? Yeah? I thought there might be one or two of you.
For more than a quarter of a century, the Boss has been rocking the USA, giving us some of the most thought-provoking popular songs to exist during any era of recorded music.
In 2002, he released "The Rising." The critical reaction was interesting. Some critics found it superb, some found it mundane. (For those of you who have handled workshop logistics, you might recognize the evaluation syndrome: The room was too cold; no, it was too hot. I wouldn't feed my dog this food; on the contrary, my compliments to the chef.)
Rather than chronicle ordinary people |
Fact is, if anything, "The Rising" suffered from its own ambition. On one compact disc comprised of fifteen numbers, Springsteen dealt with marital fidelity (or lack thereof), middle-aged male sexuality, international relations, and partying down.
Still, casting a shadow over all this, and providing the strongest material on the disc, was 9/11. Listen to "Mary's Place," one of the most upbeat tunes from "The Rising." Then, read the lyrics ("From that black hole on the horizon I hear your voice calling me") and realize that the singer's setting up a party for someone he most likely will never see again.
Many of the songs ("Into the Fire," "Nothing Man," "Empty Sky," "You're Missing") deal directly with 9/11 and its aftermath. In the title track, I swear we hear the voices of Father Mychal Judge, the FDNY Chaplain, and William Feehan, the FDNY First Deputy Commissioner, both of whom died at ground zero on 9/11.
Yet, what marks "The Rising" as a departure from Springsteen's previous work is this: Rather than chronicle ordinary people doing ordinary things, this time Springsteen celebrates ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Through death and destruction, the light of the human spirit shines on brightly.
These are lessons to be learned from the strangest source – rock and roll music. Always believe that, faced with the challenge, we ordinary people can do extraordinary things. And no matter how dark the sky and how bleak the future, the light of our spirit will brighten our way.
And, as the Boss sings on another track from "The Rising,"
At the June meeting the State Library Board approved supplemental funds for the Regional Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, contingent upon the release of federal funds:
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Roger Verny, Deputy State Librarian discussed the Planning for Library Services for Persons with Disabilities Workshop held at the State Library on June 16. Forty-four people from 25 libraries attended. Speakers discussed the need to provide library services to those with disabilities and the need for community involvement when planning and implementing such services. A panel of library users with disabilities was particularly interesting to participants. Workshop participants were given the opportunity to view and discuss assistive / adaptive technologies with vendors. Seven vendors participated in the Fair, which was also open to patrons, state agencies, and other libraries in the Columbus area.
The Service to Persons with Disabilities Plan and LSTA funding requests must be submitted by December 17 with a maximum grant amount of $24,000. Mr. Verny thanked the Disabilities Task Force for their efforts in planning the workshop and Missy Lodge, LSTA Program Coordinator and Julia Ward, LSTA Program Assistant for their efforts in organizing the event.
Michael S. Lucas, State Librarian, updated the Board on the current status of the State Library budget. The narrative portion of the budget is in its final draft with submission due on July 15. Diane Fink, Head, Fiscal Services, reported that this has been an accelerated budget process with guidance given in March for a July submission. Some budget figures are not available yet. She said it has been a challenging process and she has brought her concerns to the attention of the Office of Budget and Management.
The Board then approved state subsidies to the Regional Library Systems:
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The Board also approved state subsidies for the Regional Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped:
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The Board approved the appointment of five OPLIN Board members:
The Board moved to approve the appointment of Joanne M. Budler as the new State Librarian effective July 1. Board members noted that all the candidates were well qualified and that it was not an easy decision.
The Board also passed a resolution acknowledging Michael S. Lucas' eight years of service as State Librarian and his many accomplishments during his tenure.
The next State Library Board meeting will be Thursday, July 29, 2004 at 1:00 in Columbus.
For the minutes of State Library Board meetings, go to http://winslo.state.oh.us/boardmin.html.
20th Annual Talking Book ConferenceAssembling the people who bring Talking Books to Ohioans |
Judy Bow Head Talking Book Program |
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A presentation by Pilot Dogs, Inc. was the highlight of the 20th annual Ohio Talking Book Conference, held June 4 at the State Library. Steve Hoyt, a trainer, described the procedure for turning a puppy into a guide dog, including what kind of dog makes a good candidate for a guide dog, who raises the puppies, what happens to dogs who don't work out, what happens to dogs when their work years are past, etc.
Mark Carroll, who was currently in training with his first guide dog, Bea, commented on his experiences. The audience asked many questions and admired Bea, a Red Doberman, at length.
The State Library sponsors the Talking Book Conference every year to assemble the people who help bring the Talking Book Program to blind and physically handicapped Ohioans. Talking Book coordinators from local public libraries and social service agencies are joined by the volunteers who repair the talking book equipment. Most of the repair people are members of the General Electric Elfuns or the Telephone Pioneers. 60 people attended the June conference.
4155 cassette players were |
Don Smith, head of Quality Assurance at the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), gave a progress report on the movement toward digital talking books. By 2008, the first digital machines should be available for a segment of talking book readers. Don explained that the current machine and the books on cassette will continue to be part of the program for some years to come. The new medium will probably be flash memory. Don also led an afternoon workshop on talking book machine repair standards for the repair volunteers.
Irwin Hott, vice-chairman of the Consumer Advisory Committee and representative to the NLS Equipment Advisory Committee, reported on his attendance at the recent equipment meeting at NLS. Most of the time was spent on discussing the desirable features of the digital talking book.
Donna Foust and Barbara Mates, librarians for the blind and physically handicapped at the Cincinnati Regional and Cleveland Regional, respectively, described the highlights of the past year at their libraries. Despite budget cuts, the libraries have carried out some interesting programming ideas. Both regional libraries held Louis Braille birthday parties to attract more young readers to their programs. The Cleveland Regional's book club shared a book discussion with their counterparts in Stoke-on-Trent, England.
Cindy McLaughlin, Deputy State Librarian for Library Services, and Judy Bow, Head of the Talking Book Program, expressed appreciation for the efforts of the coordinators and repairpeople during the past year. 4155 cassette players were repaired by Ohio volunteers. The GE Elfuns repaired an additional 1737 machines for other states.
65 sublending agencies (SLA), each under contract with the State Library, and headed by a talking book coordinator, serve to bring the program to the local level throughout Ohio.
LSTA Equipment Policies Now OnlineQuestions on inventory and equipment disposition have become standard |
Missy Lodge LSTA Program Coordinator |
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Typical questions received by LSTA staff include:
Because the majority of LSTA grant budgets contain equipment, questions on inventory and equipment disposition have become standard. In order to assist libraries in knowing when and how to request State Library permission to dispose of equipment and when and how to inventory equipment, these policies have been placed on WINSLO at http://winslo.state.oh.us/publib/lstaequip.html
The Equipment Policy page includes three sections:
All LSTA grantees are encouraged to review these policies. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Missy Lodge, LSTA Program Coordinator at 800-686-1532, 614-644-6914 or mlodge@sloma.state.oh.us
The second round of Continuing Education grants are due at the State Library on August 1. Proposals are for events scheduled between January 1, 2005 and June 30, 2005. The RFP is available on WINSLO at http://winslo.state.oh.us/publib/lstace.html
Full Grant proposals were due at the State Library on May 19. Nineteen proposals were received. The review process has begun and recommended proposals will be taken to the September State Library Board meeting for funding.
Helping Books ConnectionAn at-your-fingertips annotated review source |
Ruth Metcalf Library Consultant |
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Did you ever long for an at-your-fingertips annotated review source that would help you build a collection of books that deal with sensitive issues and/or character education for children and young adults? Helping Books Connection is just such a resource (http://www.helpingbooks.lib.oh.us).
HBC offers a review source for collection development; a reader's advisory source; and quick printable bibliographies for character education and sensitive issues. Librarians can use the QUICK SEARCH feature and find lists of titles on a variety of issues.
Helping Books Connection offers a review |
HBC has been available online for almost two years, and Tony Petruzzi, editor for the online database, is anxious to add to the reviews on the site. You can also easily contribute your favorite titles to Helping Books Connection. It's really easy!
The database currently has over 800 titles and many of them have been contributed by local librarians. Character Education and Bibliotherapy are the primary types of literature that are used in writing reviews that promote discussion.
The database currently has |
There are guidelines on the HBC website for submitting a review to the database, but just a few tips include:
Tony Petruzzi does edit reviews prior to posting them to the HBC website, but if you follow the guidelines for reviewing, you should be able to "get published"!
A few examples of more recent titles and topics that would fit into the HBC scope for reviews:
One of the best features of this database is the fact that it complements the Helping Books Helping Families program (http://winslo.state.oh.us/services/LPD/tk_helpbks.html). Helping Books Helping Families offers parents, children, and students a supportive environment that promotes child development, access to community services, stimulates discussion, and supports literacy.
Libraries are eligible to apply for Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds from the State Library for the implementation of a Helping Books program. For more information see: http://winslo.state.oh.us/publib/lstafamlit.html.
For more information on Helping Books Helping Families or Helping Books Connection contact Ruth A. Metcalf, Library Development Consultant at 1-800-686-1532 or rmetcalf@sloma.state.oh.us
