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Blog posts by sue.walker

sue.walker's picture
2005 15 Jun

Serving the Print Impaired

I'm caught up thinking about the future. Earlier this month I attended 5 focus groups with print impaired users and service providers. In those groups we asked questions about information needs, preferred formats for receiving information, and suggestions for improved access to information. I heard frustrations about current capabilities as well as ideas for future services and resources.

sue.walker's picture
2008 27 Mar

Books on Tape Update Spring 2008

The Spring 2008 Books on Tape Update newsletter, order forms, and podcasts are now available for download.

Links:

sue.walker's picture
2008 16 Jul

Reading Alternatives

The transition to the digital format in the Talking Book Service presents a whole new way to read for those requiring reading alternatives. Users can now download books from NLS BARD onto specialized players. The database is available 24/7 and contains a growing collection (more than 11,000 titles at this time) of books from the NLS collection.

sue.walker's picture
2008 28 Aug

Retrospective TBS titles available

We've just finished selecting the 1500+ titles that will be distributed in digital format when the Talking Book Service transition begins next year. These titles will be available on cartridges and will play on the new digital players.

sue.walker's picture
2008 03 Oct

Library outreach

Earlier this week I visited 7 public libraries in Bingham, Bonneville, and Jefferson counties to discuss the Talking Book Service. I enjoyed meeting with library staff and touring their libraries. I was impressed with the variety of resources available to persons unable to read standard print.

sue.walker's picture
2008 20 Nov

Hablas espanol?

If you haven't attended WebJunction's "Latinos and Public Library Perceptions Report - November 2008 Webinar", check it out at: http://www.webjunction.org/slo-webinars/articles/content/30106393

It contains lots of interesting facts about how latinos perceive (and use) their local public libraries. The most intriquing fact to me:

Of all the factors that influence use of the public library, the most important one is how friendly and welcoming the staff is. Staff attitude is more important than having Spanish language materials in the collection or even their ability to speak Spanish. But what's surprising about that? No matter how good the food is in a restaurant, I won't return if I don't feel comfortable.

sue.walker's picture
2008 18 Dec

Teen Tech Week 2009: Press Play at the Library

If you're thinking about participating in Teen Tech Week 2009 (March 8-14, 2009)check out the resources available at:

http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/teentechweek/ttw09/home.cfm

Everything from a wiki for sharing ideas, publicity materials, and booklists will make planning and implementing a successful program so much easier.

sue.walker's picture
2009 09 Mar

Happy Teen Tech Week!

March 8-14 is Teen Tech Week. Sponsored by YALSA, this year's theme is "Press Play @ Your Library". Share how your library is celebrating anytime throughout March with stories, photos, and links to your website.

If you missed this year's event, get a headstart on next year. Check out

sue.walker's picture
2009 09 Apr

Digital Trailers

At yesterday's SWILA conference, participants in the Digital Trailer session commented how useful it would be to post their trailers and view those created by others. WebJunction (http://id.webjunction.org/) is a great place to share library related ideas, discussion, and all types of media.

Users can join or create a group on a specific topic and then keep up with information pertinent to that topic, or follow a specific discussion thread. A book discussion group already exists (http://www.webjunction.org/743/resources/overview), or one specific to digtal trailers can be created and others invited to join it. View existing groups and how to create new groups at: http://www.webjunction.org/membercenter and check out "New Groups"

sue.walker's picture
2009 27 Jul

ICFL "Cool" staff

ICFL staff is prepared to "Beat the Heat" with hats and sunglasses for TBS Awareness Day. 20 public libraries statewide are planning activities during the week of August 17-21. Activities will:

  • Raise Idaho's citizens awareness about this free, statewide service
  • Highlight resources available in local libraries for persons unable to read standard print
2010 30 Aug

Accessible Voting

Idaho Votes icon in red

Don't let physical restrictions limit your ability to vote! All Idaho polling locations have several alternatives to allow those with physical challenges to vote. IdahoVotes.gov includes information on accessible voting, registering to vote, voting locations, the general election candidate list. amd much more.

2011 28 Feb

Happy Birthday National Library Service!

Digital player and book

On Thursday, March 3, the Talking Book Service (TBS) will host an Open House at ICfL from 1-3 pm to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the National Library Service (NLS) which supplies the audio books, magazines and players for TBS to loan to users statewide.

sue.walker's picture
2011 02 May

BARD institutional accounts now available

Institutions are now eligible to apply for accounts to download from BARD, the database of digital titles for those unable to read standard print.

sue.walker's picture
2011 17 Aug

Teens' Top Ten titles

Get your teens ready for Teen Read Week by encouraging them to vote for their favorite books published in 2010.

sue.walker's picture
2011 24 Oct

Books to Action

Last week I participated in Boise Public Library's first Books to Action Program.  This  variation on a book discussion offers participants the opportunity to discuss the book and then help a community organization.  Discussion was on Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide on October 16th or 18th and followed up with fall cle

sue.walker's picture
2011 05 Dec

Volunteering in Libraries

All the topics in the Transforming Life After 50 Fellowship were informative.  However, many Fellows reported that the section on using volunteers in the library was especially intriguing for two reasons: libraries are always short staffed, and volunteers can become valuable advocates for the library.   Volunteers have always been invaluable in the support rol

sue.walker's picture
2011 05 Dec

Smart Investing@Your Library

The economy of the last few years has made many aware of the need for more financial literacy.  The American Library Association partnered with the FINRA Investor Education Foundation to create  http://smartinvesting.ala.org/, a program that addresses the growing need for unbiased financial and investor education at the