INSIGHT

A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE SPECIAL NEEDS LIBRARY OF NORTHEAST GEORGIA

The Special Needs Library of Northeast Georgia is a part of your public library and the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, serving Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Franklin, Greene, Gwinnett, Habersham, Hancock, Hart, Jackson, Jasper, Madison, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Putnam, Rabun, Stephens, Walton and White counties. We do not endorse any product or service mentioned in this newsletter.

800-531-2063, 706-613-3655

Email: specialneedslibrary@athenslibrary.org

Staff: Stacey Chandler, Lavern Gordon, Claudia Markov, Pete Hayek

JANUARY 2004

Happy New Year!!!
Just a reminder that the Special Needs Library will be closed
Thursday, January 1, 2004, for New Year’s Day and Monday, January 19, 2004,
for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Reminder:

We currently have around 90 descriptive videos in our collection here at the Special Needs Library. Descriptive videos are designed to allow a non-sighted viewer to watch video movies along with sighted viewers. The videos can be played in a standard VHS VCR machine with no special equipment needed. The videos contain narration that does not interfere with the actual movie action and dialogue to assist those who are unable to see the picture clearly. The narration describes action, scenery, and gestures that are not explained in the movie dialogue. Videos are available for up to two at a time for a loan period of 14 days. We are hoping to purchase a few new titles in the next month or two. Call to request a list of our descriptive video collection. We also provide a recorded cassette tape of our descriptive video collection. Call us today at the Special Needs Library for more information about descriptive videos or to check out our collection!!!!

Special Thanks to our Volunteers!!!

The Special Needs Library of Northeast Georgia is very fortunate to have the service of many devoted volunteers. They rewind tapes, inspect cassettes, shelv talking books, pull talking books to be mailed out, label materials, record newspapers, help sort mail, prepare new books for shelving…the list could go on and on. We couldn’t do it without their help. We are very grateful for the many hours of service they donate, and we thank them one and all!

Special Needs Services

Athens Regional Library System received grant funding to benefit library services to the elderly and disabled in the 5-county region that the Athens Regional Library System serves (Athens, Winterville, Royston, Lavonia, Danielsville, Watkinsville, Bogart, and Lexington). The money received from this grant was used to provide adequate accessible facilities, equipment, and operations to assure quality programs and services to persons having difficultly using a library. Each of the branch libraries, including the Special Needs Library, received new equipment/material to make their library more accessible. Some equipment that was purchased was large print keyboards, magnification lamps, scooters, walkers, and book baskets. Here at the Special Needs Library, we were able to purchase a new Recordex tape rewinder to rewind our talking books and a new recorder. If you are in one of the surrounding counties, stop by and visit one of our branch libraries and check out their new equipment.

National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind-South Fulton Chapter has established a statewide registry for blind entrepreneurs. This service provides access to funding opportunities, marketing strategies and many other resources. To register your business, call Debbie Hill at 404-241-0526 or email at nfbsouth1@aol.com.

Assistance with Income Tax Forms Will Be Available

April 15, 2004, will be here sooner than you think. AARP Tax-Aide offers free tax counseling and preparation service. Call 1-888-227-7669 after January 15 for the location of a site near you or visit their website at www.aarp.org/taxaide

Guide Dogs for the Blind

Kevin Dunn is a field representative for Guide Dogs for the Blind and is available to give educational presentations free of charge to those considering a dog guide. Kevin will present relevant information to individuals and groups anywhere in Georgia, in person or via the telephone. Guide Dogs for the Blind has two campuses, one in San Rafael, CA, and one in Boring, OR. For more information, call 404-299-8644.

Flight

On December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Orville and Wilbur Wright launched the first powered flight. Many aviation pioneers have followed the Wright brothers. Books in this list, compiled by Reader Advisor Ginny Ryan, tell of their lives and achievements.

Bobby WorldWide Approved