00;00;03;29 - 00;00;24;28 Announcer Hello and welcome to this episode of the Tar Heel Talk newsletter. The quarterly publication of the State Library of North Carolina Accessible Books and Library Services, SLNC ABLS, the State Library of North Carolina and the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. We hope you will enjoy listening to this episode of the podcast version of our newsletter. And that you'll subscribe to hear future episodes. 00;00;25;12 - 00;00;29;12 Announcer Thank you for your support. Now, here's the latest episode of Tar Heel Talk. 00;00;31;00 - 00;01;21;16 Narrator Tar Heel Talk 2022 Issue number 169. Produced by Accessible Books and Library Services. Approximate Reading Time 40 minutes. Features. Staff Feature. The Many Faces of BARD. Volunteer Spotlight. Governor Morehead School for the Blind playground. Staff Feature: ABLS Welcomes Tawanda Walters. Tawanda Walters, ABLS's new Library Support Assistant, helps the library do something new: she focuses on helping patrons who use library technology. 00;01;22;25 - 00;01;51;24 Narrator This enables patrons to more effectively use reading devices and downloading services, such as our digital talking book players, BARD, and NOBLE download services. In addition to supporting patrons with library technology, Tawanda has also been working on documentation explaining how to use that technology. Now that you know about this new position, let's take some time to learn a little about Tawanda. 00;01;54;15 - 00;02;31;22 Narrator Question: What led you to decide to work with ABLS? Answer: I have to be honest, this has always been a dream job for me. I love helping others and giving back to the visually impaired community. Question: Where did you work previously? Answer: My last place of employment was at Pharmaceutical Strategies as a customer service representative. Question: What have been some highlights of your position here so far? 00;02;33;03 - 00;03;04;29 Narrator Answer: One of my highlights of this position so far is learning the KLAS database and all it entails. Another one of my highlights is talking with the different staff members and having a better understanding of how a library is operated and that each apartment within the library has a vital role. Another one of my highlights for this position is learning new technical skills that enable me to assist patrons with technical issues. 00;03;06;21 - 00;03;38;25 Narrator Question: Have you found anything about this position particularly challenging? Answer: The one thing I find a little challenging is learning the ins and outs of the KLAS system. Question: Do you have anything in particular you would like to accomplish in this position? Answer: The one thing I would like to accomplish while being in this position is to be able to give the patrons 100% in customer service and technical help. 00;03;40;12 - 00;04;10;27 Narrator Question: Who are some of your favorite authors? Answer: Some of my favorite authors are James Patterson, Tom Clancy, Brad Taylor and Danielle Steele. Question: What is an interesting hobby or hidden talent of yours you would like to share? Answer: One of my hidden hobbies that I would like to share with everyone is that I like to box. Collections 00;04;10;27 - 00;04;41;09 Narrator Communique: A Quarterly Collections Update. The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, NLS, has launched a Braille-On-Demand project. This project allows active patrons to request and receive up to one hard-copy braille title per month to permanently keep for personal use. This is particularly useful for titles you will reread many times, like a cookbook or your child's favorite bedtime story. 00;04;42;25 - 00;05;29;16 Narrator These copies will arrive in softcover format. NLS must have an electronic version of a title to emboss it, so requested titles will be limited to braille books that are currently available on BARD. The request form is located at s u r v e y m o n k e y dot c o m / r / n l s b r a i l l e o n d e m a n d surveymonkey.com/r/NLSbrailleondemand. 00;05;29;19 - 00;06;15;10 Narrator To submit a request, you will need SLNC ABLS Patron ID number, the book title, and the book number. We have made the following noteworthy additions to our subject preference list. Asian American Pacific Islander Interests, Internet technology, psychological fiction, gender non-binary interests and pop music. We have also added specific language interests preferences for Arabic, Greek, Mandarin, Chinese, Polish, Russian and Vietnamese. 00;06;16;07 - 00;06;21;28 Narrator Please contact the library to add or exclude any of these preferences on your account. 00;06;24;01 - 00;07;00;14 Narrator An update to last issue's announcement regarding NLS' decision to incorporate retail book descriptions for new titles being added to the collection. These retail book descriptions have replaced the Library of Congress annotations for most new titles added to the collection. These new annotations are longer and more detailed than the old-style annotations. They are visible on BARD and in our online catalog. NLS has permanently ceased production of the large print format. 00;07;00;14 - 00;07;34;13 Narrator Talking Book Topics, TBT, due to ongoing paper and supply shortages. TBT remains available online and in audio format, distributed via cartridge. Please contact the library for assistance in signing up for these alternative formats. If you are interested in receiving a 20-cell Braille e-reader device as a part of your Braille reading service with us, please contact a reader advisor here at the library to add your name to our waiting list. 00;07;35;05 - 00;08;04;07 Narrator If you have already submitted your name, no need to do so again. New Tips for Better Service. You may return material now. We are checking in and checking out material. If you receive cartridges, please return the cartridge one at a time. If you leave a phone message, please spell your last name, state the city you live in, and leave us a phone number to respond to your call if necessary. 00;08;05;05 - 00;08;34;29 Narrator Also, due to possible phone connection problems, it always helps to repeat the phone number, if possible. If you are calling for someone else, please leave their name and city, so we can pull up their record in our computers and would have another contact number if we can't reach you. In order to avoid a delay in your service, notify us immediately of any change of address. 00;08;36;11 - 00;08;45;04 Narrator If you email the library, please include your name, phone number and mailing address in the email. 00;08;47;13 - 00;11;04;12 Narrator Friends Board of Directors. President Susan King 8282386195. Vice President Sharon Benton 9198332259. Secretary Debbie Meadows 192192677. Treasurer Mary Flanagan 9196021334. Past President Eddie Weaver 9106194084 Members at large. Latiesha Adams 91957638254. Verdina Gillette-Sims 9194145316. Jennifer Gray 9194511724. Patricia Tessnear 2522913405. Jim Turner 9198123538. Dawson Hart 8282120881. Donna Permar 9194526920. Kelly Hightower-Spruill 3362536566. Melaney Stein 9196561157. Yvonne Kea 9102833981. 00;11;04;12 - 00;11;48;22 Narrator Non-Voting. Catherine Rubin, Assistant Regional Librarian, ABLS 9842361100. Listen to our 2020-2021 Writing Contest Winners. The writing contest winning stories are now available to order or download from the library. If you would like to order a copy from the library, contact us by phone, chat or email, and request SLNC ABLS Writing Contest Winners 2020-2021 or DBC06123. 00;11;49;25 - 00;12;29;25 Narrator You can also download it from BARD using the same criteria. Additionally, you can find it on NOBLE. In addition to being available to our patrons, the stories are also accessible to the public. If you are not a patron of our library and would like to listen to the stories, please visit slnc.info/20-21wcw. 2022 Writing Contest. 00;12;30;03 - 00;13;04;05 Narrator It's that time of year again. We are accepting entries for our third writing contest from September 15th, 2022 through December 15th, 2022. Contestant entries may include the following: short stories, novels, excerpts, poems, songs, fictions, last nonfiction, autobiographies, lost biographies, or something entirely different. Be creative. All submissions will be judged on the following criteria clarity, spelling, grammar and creativity. 00;13;05;03 - 00;13;37;16 Narrator Each contestant's entry has the potential to be added to our collection. If your entry is selected, we will notify you before it is published. The entry will be subject to proofreading before it is added. The contest will be divided into four age groups: eight and younger, nine through 12, 13 through 17, 18 and older. Your entry will automatically be entered into your age group at the time of submission. 00;13;38;02 - 00;14;15;02 Narrator Writing Contest Rules. Contestants must be a patron of accessible books and library services. Your entry must be an original work. Please do not use previously published materials. Only one entry per contestant will be allowed. There is a 5000 word count limit for all submissions. All mail in entries must be typewritten in at least 14 point font, double spaced with numbered pages and include a cover page with a title and the author's name. 00;14;16;27 - 00;14;47;19 Narrator If your entry is in Braille, an additional translated word file will be required. If your entry is in an audio format, please include a transcript as a word file. If your entry contains images, please include alt text. If your submission is in a different language, an English translation will be required. Acceptable submission formats. All writing contest submissions must be in one of the following formats. 00;14;48;13 - 00;15;24;29 Narrator Word file, audio file, Braille file, mail-in typewritten. Prizes. The following prizes will be available to each age group. First place. Contestant will receive a certificate and the first place prize. Submission will be added to the library's collection and made available for download. Second place contestant will receive a certificate and the second place prize. Submission will be added to the library's collection and made available for download. 00;15;26;00 - 00;16;40;26 Narrator Third place contestant will receive a certificate and the third place prize. Submission will be added to the library's collection and made available for download. Honorable Mentions. Contestant will receive a certificate. Submission will be added to the library's collection and made available for download. All other contestants will receive a certificate for their entry . Visit the ABLS Writing Contest slnc.info/WC22. Submit your entry slnc.info/WC22submit. Access resources for writing: slnc.info/WC22-resources. 00;16;40;26 - 00;17;19;10 Narrator The Many Faces of BARD. Beginning August 11th, 2022. We will offer our patrons a monthly program called the Many Faces of BARD. The program is offered every second Thursday at 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Each program will cover one aspect of BARD, the Braille and Audio Reading Download, usage. The program will last one hour and begin with a brief presentation followed by a Q&A session covering BARD related topics, as well as questions about the presentation. 00;17;20;06 - 00;18;02;27 Narrator The next month's topic will be revealed at the end of each program. The first presentation will provide an overview of all the available BARD products. These sessions are open to all patrons, everywhere. They can be joined by going to slnc.info/manyfaces on a computer or calling 1-669-245-5252. Full Zoom invitation information follows. To call into a session, 00;18;03;04 - 00;18;35;17 Narrator participants must use the telephone number provided above for Zoomgov.com. Do not use the regular zoom telephone numbers upon connecting. Participants will be placed in a virtual waiting room until the program begins. When they enter the room, they will be put on mute and should remain on mute unless the host calls upon them to speak. 00;18;36;21 - 00;18;57;19 Narrator At that time they may unmute by using Alt-A from a computer or star 6 (*6) by phone. All Many Faces of BARD programs will be recorded. If participants do not want to be on the recording, they may refrain from speaking. 00;19;00;03 - 00;20;34;16 Narrator Tar Hill Talk is a quarterly publication of the State Library of North Carolina Accessible Books and Library Services Section (SLNC ABLS) and the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Address 1841 Capitol Boulevard, Raleigh, North Carolina. 27635. Voice 984-236-1100. Fax 984-236-1199. Toll free 1-888-388-2460. Email ncabls@ncdcr.gov. Governor Roy Cooper . Secretary Reid Wilson and State Librarian Michelle Underhill. Editor Clint Exum. Web page Web Page: http://statelibrary.ncdcr.gov/blind-print-disabled. Internet catalog ordering site ncabls.klas.com. Craig's Desk. From Craig's Desk to you. 00;20;34;27 - 00;21;04;07 Narrator Some content intended for people who are blind or print impaired by Craig Hayward, Systems and Digital Services Librarian, a.k.a. the Tech Librarian. Hello again from Craig's desk. Here are some highlights from the mostly monthly podcast where I, Craig Hayward the technology librarian, answer your reading and library technology questions and let you know about some happenings and offerings at NLS and the library's website. 00;21;05;12 - 00;21;33;12 Narrator You ask the questions and I'll look for the answers. A kind of listen and learn program. On the latest episode, we learned a tip about downloading from BARD with an Apple Macintosh computer. It is a little bit different from a Windows computer. We also talked briefly about the NLS new quarterly feature, The Patron Corner, and we learned how to find foreign language books in our online catalog. 00;21;33;27 - 00;22;03;28 Narrator It was a good show. On the topic of upcoming episodes, I'd love to hear from you so I can answer those questions and create the best show possible. Without your questions, comments, and feedback, I don't have much of a show. Please send me your questions, big or small, to ABLS.Help@ncdcr.gov. Beyond your questions, 00;22;04;05 - 00;22;32;06 Narrator I'll showcase some of the great reader resources on the library's website. We'll take an inside look at some coming events in NLS' future, such as the Braille e-Reade, the future of BARD , and how to find more books to read. If you are a regular podcast listener, Craig's Desk is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google and our podcast platform, 00;22;32;11 - 00;23;09;10 Narrator PodBean. To find the show, use your favorite podcasting app and search for Craig's Desk, with an apostrophe “S". If you don't regularly listen to podcasts, it just so happens that on our first episode of Craig's Desk, we introduced you to how to listen to Podcasts. After you listen to that one, I recommend going back for more episodes from our podcast website at nccraigsdesk.podbean.com. 00;23;09;27 - 00;23;44;05 Narrator New Descriptive Movie Title List. For a long time, we have sent incredibly large packets to our patrons containing our entire Descriptive Video Catalog. This included the movie title, the rating release date, and a brief description of the movie moving forward. The Descriptive Video Catalog will omit the brief descriptions of the movies. The movies will also be listed in alphabetical order instead of the Movie Disc (MD) number. 00;23;44;26 - 00;24;11;02 Narrator This will make it easier to find the movies you want to order. With far fewer pages, our patrons won't have to do as much flipping and the library can save on some paper. Movie descriptions will continue to be available on our online public access catalog. You can access the catalog by going to ncabls.klas.com. 00;24;12;07 - 00;24;40;14 Narrator Use the quick search to find movie descriptions. You can also search for descriptions on IMDB or Google. Be careful to avoid spoilers. If you are not, subscribe to our Descriptive Video Service, membership is a one time fee of $20. The loan period for a movie is two weeks. Applications can be requested by emailing ncabls@ncdcr.gov. 00;24;41;17 - 00;25;13;20 Narrator The Descriptive Video Service is not available at all talking book libraries. Our descriptive video service is funded entirely by our Friends of the Library. ABLS Public Service Announcements. If you receive cartridges from us, you may have noticed something playing before your books. This is a public service announcement (PSA). These PSAs have important information about the library, such as seasonal reading programs, virtual programs, or updates about your library service. 00;25;14;06 - 00;25;37;26 Narrator While this is a great way to reach a good chunk of our patrons, some patrons who are signed up for large print, braille books, or BARD do not receive these updates. If you are not receiving cartridges from us, you may be missing out on library updates. You can visit our website Blind and Print Disabled to see when a new PSA comes out. 00;25;38;15 - 00;26;17;26 Narrator You can also opt in to receive our PSAs by email . To receive PSAs by email , visit slnc.info/abls-outreach. Finally, you can always give us a call at 1-888-388-2460 and ask for the latest news from the library. Volunteer Spotlight. This time, our volunteer spotlight introduces two volunteers. 00;26;18;06 - 00;26;47;16 Narrator Kathy Norris and Joan Flanagan are one of our library recording teams. You can download and listen to many of their projects on NOBLE. In this recording team, Kathy is the narrator and Joan is the monitor. Joan monitors and operates the recording equipment while Kathy narrates the book or magazine. If Kathy makes a mistake in the narration, Joan stops the recording and they repeat that part. Each week, 00;26;47;18 - 00;27;08;12 Narrator Kathy and Joan volunteer their services for 2 hours. When they come in, they bring a breath of fresh air into the library and are visibly happy to be here. In addition to their work in our studio projects, the pair has helped us in other ways too. Before a project is ready to be put on NOBLE, it needs to be thoroughly reviewed. 00;27;08;29 - 00;27;30;11 Narrator If we fall behind on reviewing, Kathy and Joan are willing to switch their duties that week to review mode. The two have even helped us with projects outside of the library, such as helping us sign up kids for our summer reading program at the Governor Morehead School for the Blind. They are truly a joy to work with and like all of our volunteers, are irreplaceable. 00;27;31;27 - 00;28;01;29 Narrator Q and A. Question: How long have you been volunteering with the library? Kathy: I've been a narrator at the library for four years. Joan: Four or five years. Question: Why did you want to volunteer at our library? Kathy: I have several friends who are visually impaired, and when approached by one of them about becoming a narrator, I was impressed with her explanation of what a wonderful service the library is. 00;28;02;13 - 00;28;36;25 Narrator I love to read, so being able to make books and magazines available to those who need an audible version is a gift. Joan: My sister, who is blind, also volunteers at the library, and this gives us an opportunity to volunteer together. Question: What have been some highlights of your volunteer service here? Kathy: One highlight was reading a book by a North Carolinian author that required me to develop several different voices and accents to differentiate the various characters. 00;28;37;20 - 00;29;09;15 Narrator Another was meeting a fellow volunteer who has severe dyslexia and although she isn't blind, reading is very difficult for her. It showed me how the library serves a variety of visually impaired people and how helpful it is. Joan: Meeting the folks who work at the library and meeting the other volunteers. Also the volunteer luncheon. Question: Are there any interesting copies of yours you'd like to share with our readers? 00;29;10;09 - 00;29;43;20 Narrator Kathy: Since moving to the Triangle in 1990, I performed with several local theaters, including North Carolina Theater, NCSU TheaterFest, and the Theater in the Park, including many years in the cast of their annual production of A Christmas Carol. I also crochet as a part of a committee of the Wake Forest Women's Club for Project Warmth. We make hats and scarves for the homeless and for the clients of our local food pantry. 00;29;44;28 - 00;30;15;00 Narrator We make shawls and lap blankets for a local nursing home and baby blankets for new moms in need. Joan: I love to read. So recording books for those who are blind is a great opportunity. Question: What would you say to people who are interested in volunteering for our library? Kathy: Please do it. So many benefit from the services of the library. 00;30;15;12 - 00;30;45;07 Narrator Whether you are reading, monitoring, reviewing or helping with the mailings, you are needed. Joan: Definitely sign up to volunteer. It's a wonderful place to spend some time and meet a wonderful group of people. If you are interested in helping out with the library, visit. slnc.info/ABLSvolunteer. 00;30;45;08 - 00;31;02;13 Narrator or contact our Volunteer Coordinator Adrian Sanders at adrian.sanders@ncdcr.gov. 00;31;05;02 - 00;31;56;17 Narrator Library Closing Dates. Veteran's Day: Friday, November 11th, 2022. Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 24th and Friday, November 25th, 2022. Download Something NOBLE. One of the many services we offer our patrons is access to NOBLE (North Carolina BARD Local). NOBLE features digital, braille, and talking books and magazines published in North Carolina and produced by our library. While there is no patron application necessary to use NOBLE, all media downloaded from NOBLE can only be played on a digital book player approved by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled. 00;31;57;12 - 00;32;34;11 Narrator You may visit NOBLE to see if there is anything you would like to download by going to slnc.info/ABLS-NOBLE. Accessible Absentee Voting. As of the 2020 election, North Carolina visually impaired voters can request an absentee ballot to vote online, independently, and privately without the need to get to the polls in person. 00;32;35;17 - 00;32;59;28 Narrator This article aims to assist in the publicizing of the online accessible absentee ballot option and gives guidance on learning how to take advantage of this capability. Visually impaired voters have multiple ways to vote in North Carolina, but many of these methods rely on the voter receiving outside help from a caregiver assisted living staff member or a poll worker. 00;33;00;28 - 00;33;36;24 Narrator These options do not always allow the voter the privacy and independence to which they are entitled. All polling places have a special ballot marking device (for example, the AutoMARK), but accessing these requires transportation. As of the 2020 election, visually impaired voters can request and submit an absentee ballot online, eliminating the need to get to the polls. An overview of the accessible voting process can be found at: 00;33;36;24 - 00;34;20;05 Narrator ncsbe.gov/voting/ help-voters-disabilities/accessible-absentee-voting. The “How It Works” section will walk you through the process of requesting, accessing, marking and returning the accessible absentee ballot. 00;34;21;18 - 00;35;02;26 Narrator Note that the web pages and forms are all compatible with screen readers and allow for entering signatures digitally. Note also that (as for anyone voting absentee) you must have two witnesses sign (of type) attesting that they verify your identity and witness you marking your ballot. They do not observe how you vote. You can practice locating, marking and returning a demo ballot at any time through the N.C. Absentee Demo Ballot Portal at North Carolina Absentee Ballot Portal. 00;35;04;08 - 00;35;35;28 Narrator More information about the voting options for voters with disabilities, including help for those in care facilities, curbside voting, requesting ballots in alternative formats like large print, etc. can be found at Help for Voters with Disabilities. If you are blind or visually impaired and need assistance with any aspect of voting, first contact your county board of elections. If you are not familiar with your county's board of election, 00;35;36;23 - 00;36;37;19 Narrator you may find them using County BOE Information. You may also contact the ADA coordinator at, ADACoordinator@ncsbe.gov, (919) 805-1302, 6400 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina. 27699-6400. Medicare Information in Accessible Formats. Medicare provides free auxiliary aids and services, including information in accessible formats like braille, large print, data or audio files, relay services, and TTY communications. 00;36;38;09 - 00;37;40;08 Narrator If you request information in an accessible format, you'll be given extra time. Should there be a delay in fulfilling your request. To request Medicare or Marketplace information in an accessible format you can: 1. Call us for Medicare: 1-800-633-4227, TTY: 1-877-486-2048. Send us a fax: 1-844-530-3676. Send us a letter: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Offices of Hearings and Inquiries 00;37;40;26 - 00;38;35;27 Narrator (OHI) 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop S-1-13-25, Baltimore, Maryland. 21244-1850, Attention Customer Accessibility Resource Staff. Your request should include your name, phone number, type of information you need (if known), and the mailing address where we should send the materials. We may contact you for additional information. Note: If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare drug plan, contact your plan to request this information in an accessible format. For Medicaid, 00;38;36;03 - 00;39;13;20 Narrator contact your State Medicaid office. Morehead Playground: New Playground for Governor Morehead. School for the Blind. A team of architecture students from North Carolina State University, known as Freedom by Design, is working on a project to enhance the recreational experience of students at the Governor Morehead School for the Blind (GMS). Freedom by Design is designing and constructing a new playground for the campus. 00;39;14;12 - 00;39;48;04 Narrator GMS is North Carolina's residential flagship school for children who blind or visually impaired. According to GMC, the play equipment was outdated, the drainage was problematic, and the students often lost their canes in the mulch while setting them down to play. Additionally, the students showed a strong preference for the slide monkey bars and swings, while the rest of the equipment was rarely used. 00;39;48;09 - 00;40;26;04 Narrator The playground will be redesigned into a play and learning zone. The new play equipment will be up to current standards of care, offer better drainage and dedicated areas for older and younger students. To learn more about the current status of the project and the team behind it, visit D.S. IJI and dot CSU dot edu end of Tarheel Talk Issue number 169. 00;40;26;04 - 00;40;56;23 Narrator Read by Clint Exum in the studios of the North Carolina Accessible Books and Library Services, September 20, 22 Monitored by Adrian Sanders. Further reproduction or distribution in other than an accessible format is prohibited.