The Magnifier Winter 2007 The Newsletter of the Oakland County Library for the Visually and Physically Impaired Interesting Facts about the Digital Talking Book Player Patrons have had questions regarding the digital talking book (DTB) player, scheduled to debut in mid-2008. NLS has released some facts on the players that answer some of those queries. . The nickel-metal-hydride battery can power the DTB for more than fifteen hours (the cassette player plays for 6-8 hours) . A fully discharged battery will require two hours to charge (the cassette player requires 12 hours) . One flash cartridge will hold an entire book [for 95% of books produced] (no more changing cassettes or side selector buttons!) . The DTB was designed with ease of repair in mind. There are no moving parts and the electronics have a very small failure rate (you won’t have to exchange defective machines anymore!) New Reading Service Offered ReadThisToMe.org is a free service for the visually impaired, maintained by Savetz Publishing, Inc. as a public service. All that is needed to begin the service is a phone line and a fax machine. No computer is required. After you fax a document to the toll-free number (1-877-333-8848) , a volunteer reader will call and read it to you. The first page of the fax must include the client’s first name and a callback number. It can be anything you need read: a bill, a letter, a magazine article, etc. It can be handwritten, or even be a document with complex graphics. Readers make calls from 8 a.m.-9 p.m., and attempt to return calls within 1-2 hours of your fax. Savetz Publishing has a strict privacy policy. They do not share your information. However, because the service is staffed by volunteers, it is highly recommended that you NOT send documents that may contain confidential data, like social security numbers, credit card numbers, etc. If you can’t see well enough to know which side of the paper to fax, send both sides. They recommend sending no more than 5-10 pages at a time. For an audio version of information on this service, call 1-877-333-8847. Additional information is available on their website: ReadThisToMe.org Winter 2007 Book Recommendations Patron Harriet Purdy recommends: RC 54215 Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner Historian Lyman Ward, immobilized by illness and deserted by his wife, has retired to his ancestral California cabin to research his family's past. The loveless marriage of his grandparents--a cultivated eastern artist and a pragmatic mining engineer--mirrors the troubled expansion of the American West. Some strong language. Pulitzer prize. 1971. RC 61830 Freddy and Fredericka by Mark Helprin Parody of British Royalty. The intellectual but boring Freddy, the Prince of Wales, is sent incognito to America to redeem himself before assuming the throne. There the prince and his beautiful wife Fredericka travel far and wide, experiencing many adventures together while rekindling their relationship. Some strong language. 2005. Patron Jim McNeely recommends: RC 61597 Born Fighting: How the Scots-Irish Shaped America by James Webb The former Secretary of the Navy examines the Scottish-Irish heritage in the United States. Posits that the Celtic fighting spirit and attitudes of egalitarianism, individualism, and personal honor form the bedrock of America's working-class culture. Traces the immigration of his forebears from the eighteenth century. 2004 Patron Jean Brindley recommends: RC 48015 Rover’s Tales by Michael Z. Lewin Short stories about Rover, a stray dog, who loves the freedom of the street. In his travels Rover gives and receives advice from the other canines he encounters. He despises humans for their cruelty but learns how to use them. 1998. RC 36414 To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Scout Finch is an outspoken and literate six-year-old tomboy when she begins her tale of growing up in a small Alabama town with her brother Jem and her attorney father Atticus. The children's intense curiosity about a reclusive neighbor is eclipsed by Atticus's attempt to defend a black man against charges of raping a white woman. Pulitzer Prize winner. For high school and older readers. 1960. Page 2 Winter 2007 Book Discussion Group Next Meeting: Wednesday, January 23, 2007 1 — 3 p.m. Crashing Through: A True Story of Risk, Adventure and the Man Who Dared to See by Robert Kurson RC 63747 / LP 11757 The author of "Shadow Divers" (RC 58650) profiles Michael May (born 1953), who was blinded at age three and later became a champion skier, CIA analyst, and entrepreneur. Relates May's internal conflict over whether or not to undergo an operation to restore his sight. 2007. Next by Michael Crichton RC 63691 / LP 11813 Cancer survivor Frank Burnet and his daughter and grandson are targets of an unscrupulous drug company that wants to profit from their unique disease-fighting genes. Meanwhile other genetic- engineering experiments involving a boy/chimpanzee hybrid and a talking parrot have gone awry. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 2006. Free Adaptive Technology Computer Training Call eBlind! instructor Bruce at 1-888-325-4631 Thursday Afternoons by appointment A.C.T. Accessible Computer Training Program Call ACT Program Director Cathy McAdam at 313-563-1412 e-mail: mcmcadam@comcast.net Website http://home.comcast.net/~mcmcadam Volunteer Spotlight Bill Irey has volunteered for the Library for the past 25 years. He is part of a volunteer organization called the Pioneers, members of which are retired from the telephone company. Bill is the lead worker in the group, and they repair all our defective machines and accessories. Thank you, Bill, for your hard work and dedication. We couldn’t do it without you! Page 3 OAKLAND COUNTY LIBRARY FOR THE VISUALLY & PHYSICALLY IMPAIRED PHONE: 248-858-5050 TOLL-FREE: 1-800-774-4542 FAX: 248-858-9313 TTY: 248-452-2247 OAKLAND COUNTY LIBRARY FOR THE FREE MATTER VISUALLY AND PHYSICALLY IMPAIRED FOR THE BLIND 1200 NORTH TELEGRAPH DEPT 482 OR PONTIAC MI 48341 HANDICAPPED