Going Digital with UNABRIDGED

UNABRIDGED is a digital audio book service that enables blind and visually impaired residents of New Hampshire who are active in the Talking Book program to download books directly to their computers for playback on a variety of devices. UNABRIDGED now contains over 920 copies of digital audio books and old time radio programs in its collection. More titles will be added to the collection in the coming months. A list of all titles in the collection can be viewed on the project website at http://www.unabridged.info/documents.htm. On the webpage in the Overview section one will find links to HTML versions of the list of titles, sorted by title, author's name, genre, and even popularity. Popularity is defined as the number of times a title has been checked out divided by the number of copies in the collection. At best it is only a rough indicator of the popularity of a title, because new titles and copies are added regularly.

UNABRIDGED participants must be able to download all the software required before trying to borrow a book from the collection. A guide to getting started is available at http://www.unabridged.info/gettingstarted.htm. Individuals will need a library card number and PIN. To obtain these contact John Barrett by phone at 1-800-491-4200 (NH Toll-free), or send an e-mail message to jbarrett@library.state.nh.us.

Orientation sessions are held periodically in an online meeting room. A small, safe software plug-in will be downloaded onto your personal computer the first time you enter the meeting room. There is no need to pre-register, and there is no fee. Sessions are conducted by the project manager, Tom Peters. Each session will address the specific needs of the attendees. Potential topics may include the following.

• Basic orientation for new users
• Tips and tricks for experienced users
• Problems and suggested enhancements
• Favorite authors, title, and genres

TelecomPioneers to the Rescue

TelecomPioneers is one of the largest volunteer organizations with chapters throughout North America. Current and retired telecommunication workers apply their technical skills and knowledge in various local community projects to improve the lives of others. There are eight TelecomPioneers who presently volunteer at Talking Book Services to repair audio playback machines for the blind and physically handicapped readers registered in the NH Talking Book program. Cecile Soucy, Bernard Colgan, Robert Stevens, Earl Peterson, Gerald Faneuf, and Richard Sibley are retired employees of the New England Telephone Company. Each has been volunteering at Talking Book Services between 8 and 10 years. Two new recruits, Jim Dimick and Gary Brundrett, have joined the team. In 2005, 409 audio cassette players were repaired on site. "We simply don't fix machines, we service them to be as good as new" is their motto. This tight-knit group looks forward to coming to Talking #Book Services every week for the satisfaction of helping our readers keep their book playback machines in proper order. We salute them for their dedication and hard work

Spotlight on Our Readers

Velma Lodge of Nashua has been active in the Talking Book program since 1995. For longer than a decade Velma has created a multitude of colorful lap robes or afghans. It is a hobby she like to share with family, friends and people unknown to her. Using soft, washable acrylic materials Velma crochets granny squares to produce the forty-five inch square lap robes in three color patterns. With the help of a relative Velma chooses brighter colors for female patients and bolder ones for the male patients. Last year Velma got the idea to donate unique her creations to patients receiving medical care at Southern NH Hospital. Hospital administrators put Velma in touch with Suzanne Keller, Director of 55 Plus, a health and wellness program. Keller made inquiries among staff in several hospital departments. The results of Keller's informal survey showed that patients coming to the Oncology Department for regular treatments would benefit most. The lap robes are gifts presented to these patients who bring them to every session for their warmth and reassurance. Oncology lab technicians also claim that Velma's handicrafts make their sometimes stressful work much easier. Velma's selfless act of kindness give inspiration to others facing life's unforeseen challenges.

10²Talking Book Club

The National Library Service encourages its network libraries to celebrate their centenarian patrons through the Ten-Squared Talking Book Club. The Club was created by NLS to recognize the accomplishments of readers active in the Talking Book program who continue to actively read and learn after more than a century of living. In September 2005 Leonore Bouchard (Berlin), Bertha Carignan (Manchester), Mary Dalton (Danville), Eleanor Furlow (Enfield) and Marion Greene (Concord) were inducted into the NH Chapter of the 10² Talking Book Club. Talking Book Services organized a brief ceremony and reception held at the State Library in Concord with family and friends of the NH centenarians in attendance along with special guests NH Governor John Lynch, NLS Network Consultant David Whittall, NHSL Administrator Janet Eklund, NH Association for the Blind Vice President Guy Woodland, Town Librarians and Library Trustees.

"Treasure Reading!"

The 2006 Summer Reading Program sponsored by the Children's Librarians of New Hampshire (CHILIS) is preparing to set sail on the high seas for adventure and the search for treasure. Be on the lookout "Mateys" for registration dates and schedule of events at your local public or school library.

New Hampshire Chosen for Low-Vision Rehabilitation Project

On Wednesday, February 22 at the McGreal Sight Center of the New Hampshire Association of the Blind located in Concord, U.S. Senator John Sununu (NH) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services selected New Hampshire as one of six sites across the country to serve in a Low-Vision Rehabilitation Services Demonstration Project. The other demonstration sites include North Carolina, Kansas, Washington State, New York City and Atlanta, GA. Medicare beneficiaries will be allowed to receive vision rehabilitation therapy in their own homes by vision rehabilitation professional under the general supervision of a physician. The five-year Medicare project will begin on April 1, 2006 and run through March 31, 2011. At the conclusion of the study, HHS and CMS will produce a report based on the data collected during the study to determine whether low-vision rehabilitation services should be covered nationwide for all Medicare recipients. The initiative was modeled after legislation first authored by Senator Sununu in 2003.

New Descriptive Videos

Farewell to Arms DVC00314 Gray Cooper and Helen Hayes in a superb adaptation of Earnest Hemingway's WWI drama.

Jamu, The Orphaned Leopard DVC 00315 Cub is orphaned at two weeks old after her mother is killed in a poacher's snare. Under the care of John Varty and his team, Jamu survives severe dehydration and slowly begins to explore her world.

Last of the Mohicans DVC00316 Randolph Scott in the dramatization of James Fenimore Cooper's novel of frontier adventure and romance.

Royal Wedding DVC 00317 Fred Astaire and Jane Powell dance their way across London.

Celebrate with Music

Recordings for recovery (R4R), founded in 1958, is a non-profit organization to promote the use of music with special populations to enhance their quality of life. A broad selection of musical programs is available to blind and visually impaired persons. Music is sent through the U. S. Mail like your talking books. For more information call 1-800-798-1192, or visit http://www.r4r.org.

Titles Available on Recorded Cassette or in Large Print

Parker, Robert B. Appaloosa Marshall Virgil Cole and Deputy Everett Hitch convict outlaw rancher Randall Bragg of murder. Bragg escapes prison and years later returns with a Presidential pardon. Cole is torn between right and wrong. RC 60764, LP 00503

Rice, Luanne. Dance with Me Jane Porter returns to RI to care for her ailing mother and to locate the now-teenage daughter she gave up for adoption. Jane hides the truth when she unexpectedly falls in love. RC 59123, LP00630

Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Harry and his friends return for their sixth year at Howarts. Evil Voldemort's power increases and Harry encounters a Prince RC 60262, LP 00504

Sheldon, Sidney. Are You Afraid of the Dark? Four Kingsley International Group think-tank scientists die mysteriously around the globe. Their two widows unite to expose KIG's nefarious CEO. RC 58890, LP 00577

Our Sincere Thanks!

We are fortunate to receive many generous donations from our readers, their families and friends. These kind gifts are used to supplement our reader services. We have used donated funds to purchase descriptive videos, upgrade special program software and other necessities not covered under our general operating budget. The wonderful contributions you make help us to maintain a higher level of service. We wish to express our gratitude to the following people for their generosity in 2005.