See Note Newsletter
Newsletter of the Utah State Library for the Blind and Disabled
Number 78, Fall 2007
See Note Newsletter available in .PDF format
“You are being interviewed on your 100th birthday.
What would you really like to be able to tell that reporter about your life?
Now flip back to today and start fresh."
-Unknown
Braille Calendars for 2008 Now Available
Once again the library is providing Braille calendars, compliments of the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults. To request one, please check the Reader Response Sheet. You may also telephone the library or email the library (blind@utah.gov) to request this item.
Patrons have been asking about the Library of Congress’s Digital Talking Book (DTB) players and cartridges, as well as the availability of DTB download via the internet.
A special appropriation of over 19 million dollars is currently being sought to begin the transition from cassettes to the new DTBs. Congressional Appropriations Committees are recommending only 12.5 million at this time.
Even with full funding, the transition is expected to be phased in over a four year period. It may take this long for all patrons who want a DTB machine to get one. These machines will use a cartridge with a digital audio file of a book that the library will circulate through the mail as it does now with cassette books. Meanwhile cassette books and machines will still be available.
Veterans will have preference to get the first DTB machines, hopefully sometime in 2008. The priority of other patrons to receive a machine is still being discussed by the library.
The availability of downloadable Library of Congress produced digital audio books has been limited to a pilot test group for the last year. Recently this site has been opened to active patrons of the library who have acquired their own DTB player.
The Victor Reader Stream is the first such player and costs about $329. This machine can be purchased from
Human Ware
http://www.humanware.com/
en-usa/home
Toll-free: 800-722-3393
or locally through
Axis Access Technology
Local: (801) 967-5655
Toll free: (866) 824-7885
email: karl@axistech.net
This machine will do you no good unless you have the following:
1. A computer connected to the internet for downloading books
2. High-speed internet service such as DSL or cable
3. An active email address
Human Ware maintains a helpful information page at:
www.accessible-devices.com/vrsinfo.html
If you are interested in downloadable books, you may access an online application page at
https:www.nlstalkingbooks.org/dtb
Utah State Library Celebrates 50 Years
An open house gala, hosted by Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. and First Lady Mary Kaye Huntsman, was held on Thursday, September 13, 2007 at the Governor’s Mansion. Why the Governor’s Mansion? Because one of the first offices of the first State Librarian was a third floor bedroom of the mansion, and the State Library’s first permanent location was in a renovated Coach House on the grounds of the mansion.
Emma Lou Davis, the widow of Utah’s first State Librarian, represented her husband Russell Davis, who started and managed the library from 1957-1987. Also present were Amy Owen, State Librarian from 1987-2004, and current State Librarian, Donna Jones Morris.
Here are some highlights of Utah State Library history:
1956 – President Eisenhower signs the Library Services Act to provide federal funding for rural libraries to match state funds administered through a State Library agency.
1957 – The legislature establishes the State Library, and Governor George D. Clyde appoints a library commission, which hires Russell Davis. Utah is the last state to establish a state library. From its first annual budget of $117,000, the library’s first bookmobile is purchased.
1958 – the library is temporarily housed at the State Fairgrounds.
1961 – the library assumes responsibility from the Salt Lake City Public Library for service to blind readers in Utah and Wyoming at 1488 S. State.
1967 - the library moves from the Coach House to its longtime location in a leased facility at 2150 S 300 W. The library for the blind and physically handicapped also moves into this building
1970 - the library begins contracting for Braille service to other Western states.
1975 The Multistate Center for the West is established by the Library of Congress to provide material support and inter-library loan services to other libraries for the blind.
1976 – the library goes on air with its radio reading service for the blind and disabled.
1976 – Bicentennial Bookmobile begins 17 month tour of Utah.
1977 – the library is operating 20 bookmobiles under contract with 25 of Utah’s 29 counties, and annual circulation of books is 1.8 million.
1995 – the library creates PIONEER (Utah’s Online Library).
1995 – the Utah Library Network Initiative receives national award.
1998 – the library moves to a building constructed specifically for it by the state at 250 N 1950 W.
2007 – the library contracts with 21 states for Braille service.
Volunteer Corner
Just a few reminders:
As the holiday seasons approach, you might find yourself needing to take some time off to be with your family and friends. Please contact James Shulfer, Volunteer Coordinator, at 715-6791 as soon as you can so that he can find a substitute to cover your assignment for that day.
Also, if you know anyone that would like to volunteer for the Utah State Library for the Blind please pass their names on to James Shulfer. We have many different opportunities to serve in tape inspection, radio reading, and book recording. Thank you for all your help.
Monday, November 12th – Veterans Day
Thursday, November 22nd – Thanksgiving
Tuesday, December 25th – Christmas
Tuesday, January 1st – New Year’s Day
by Charles Swindoll
The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill...
The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day...
We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable.
The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude...
I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it.
Listed below are novels about spies and espionage. A more extensive list, including books for children and young adults, may be requested by contacting the library.
Books may be ordered by listing book numbers desired on the Reader Response Sheet, by email at blind@utah.gov or by telephoning the library.
BR is braille
RC is recorded cassette
LP is large print
c indicates cassettes
v is volumes of braille
SL is strong language
VI is violence
MacInnes, Helen.
Double Image. 1977. RC 15289 (3c)
Agent in Place. 1976.LP 02161 BR 03210 (3v)
Ride a Pale Horse. 1984. RC 21207 (2c) LP 04957 BR 06012 (4v)
North from Rome. 1958. RC 09543 (2c) LP 01424
Salzburg Connection. 1968. RC 09127 (6c) LP 07857 BR 00868 (5v)
MacLean, Alistair.
Where Eagles Dare. 1967. LP 00855 BR 00590 (3v)
Ice Station Zebra. 1984. RC 21366 (2c) LP 02058
MacLeish, Roderick.
Crossing at Ivalo. 1992. sx vi RC 34443 (2c)
Mallinson, Allan.
Honorable Company: a Novel of India before the Raj. 2004. RC 55644 (3c)
Markstein, George.
Chance Awakening. 1977. RC 13217 (2c) LP 002941
Marsh, Ngaio.
Died in the Wool. 1979. LP 11362 RC 13537 (1c) BR 04056 (3v)
Mather, Berkely.
With Extreme Prejudice. 1977. sl RC 10696 (2c)
Maugham, W. Somerset.
Ashenden; or the British Agent. 2003. RC 55379 (2c)
Collected Short Stories: All about Agent Ashenden. 1987. RC 25614 (2c)
McCammon, Robert R.
The Wolf’s Hour. 1998. sl sx vi RC 44469 (5c)
McCarry, Charles.
Last Supper: a Paul Christopher novel. 1989. sl sx RC 29335 (3c)
McCutchan, Philip.
Kemp Series: sl
Convoy South. 1988. RC 29424 (2c) LP 08509
Convoy East. 1989. RC 31218 (2c) LP 08349
Convoy of Fear. 1990. RC 32688 (2c) LP 08510
Convoy Homeward. 1993. RC 36229 (2c)
McEwan, Ian.
The Innocent. 1992. sl sx vi RC 34179 (2c) LP 06529
Meade, Glenn.
Brandenberg. 2001. sl vi RC 49780 (3c)
Michaels, David.
Splinter Cell Adventures: sl sx vi
Splinter Cell. 2004. RC 59395 (2c)
Operation Barracuda. 2005. RC 61436 (2c)
Checkmate. 2006. RC 64124 (2c)
Monfredo, Miriam Grace.
Sisters of Cain. 2003. RC 54568 (3c)
Brothers of Cain. 2003. RC 54655 (2c)
Children of Cain. 2004. RC 56470 (2c)
Morrell, David.
Brotherhood of the Rose. 1984. sl sx RC 21031 (3c)
Moss, Robert.
Death Beam. 1982. sl sx vi RC 18021 (3c)
Carnival of Spies. 1988. sl sx RC 26394 (4c)
Moscow Rules. 1985. LP 04989 BR 06089 (4v) RC 21509 (3c)
Nebenzal, Harold.
Café Berlin. 1995. sl sx vi RC 38447 (2c)
Nolan, Frederick.
Red Center. 1987. RC 25674 (2c)
O’Neill, Frank.
Secret Country. sl sx RC 27683 (3c)
Oppenheim, E. Philips.
Great Impersonation. 1996. RC 41966 (2c)
Pearson, Ryne.
October’s Ghost. 1996. sl vi RC 41547 (3c)
Pearson, William.
Chessplayer. 1985. sl sx RC 22221 (3c)
Pentecost, Hugh.
Nightmare Time. 1986. BR 06579 (2v)
Perry, Anne.
No Graves as Yet. 2003. RC 57506 (3c) LP 15505 BR 15128 (3v)
Perry, Ritchie.
Fool’s Mate. 1982. RC 18174 (2c)
Hard Man to Kill. 1975. RC 07903 (3c)
Price, Anthony.
Sion Crossing. 1987. sl RC 24983 (2c)
Quayle, Marilyn T.
Embrace the Serpent. 1992. RC 34814 (2c)
Randall, John D.
Jihad Ultimatum. 1989. sl sx RC 29224 (3c)
Reich, Christoper.
Devil’s Banker. 2003. sl sx vi RC 57008 (3c) LP 15305
Rathbone, Julian.
Spy of the Old School. 1984. sl sx RC 20420 (2c)
Reiss, Bob.
Last Spy. 1993. sl sx vi RC 38223 (3c) LP 08146
Robb, Candace.
Trust Betrayed: First Chapter of Margaret Kerr of Perth. 2003. LP 13447 BR 14073 (2v)
Safire, William.
Sleeper Spy. 1997. RC 42851 (3c)
Sheldon, Sidney.
Doomsday Conspiracy. 1992. sl sx RC 34012 (2c)
Silbert, Leslie.
Intelligencer. 2004. RC 58144 (3c)
Silva, Daniel.
Gabriel Allon Series: sl vi
Kill Artist. 2002. RC 52432 (2c)
English Assassin. 2002. RC 53779 (2c) LP 14082
Confessor. 2003. RC 55724 (2c) LP 15181
Death in Vienna. 2004. RC 57796 (2c) LP 16099
Prince of Fire. 2005. RC 59822 (2c) LP 16890
Messenger. 2006. RC 63176 (2c) LP 18234
Unlikely Spy. 1996. sl sx RC 44315 (4c) LP 10410
Skye, Christina.
Navy SEAL Series: sl sx
My Spy. 2002. RC 61884 (2c)
Hot Pursuit. 2003. RC 62124 (3c) LP 15200
Sutherland, Grant.
Consignment. 2003. sl vi RC 58331 (3c)
Terman, Douglas.
Enemy Territory. 1990. sl vi RC 31206 (3c)
Thomas, Craig.
Winter Hawk. 1987. sl RC 26001 (4c) LP 05625
Firefox. 1977. sl vi RC 23858 (2c) LP 02629
Firefox Down! 1986. sl vi RC 23859 (3c)
Hooded Crow. 1992 sl sx vi RC 34016 (3c)
Last Raven. 1994. sl vi RC 36870 (4c) LP 06748
Playing with Cobras. 1993. sl vi RC 37457 (3c) LP 08244
Wildcat. 1989. sl RC 29567 (3c)
Thomas, Ross.
Mordida Man. 1982. sl BR 04938 (3v)
Out on the Rim. 1987. sl RC 26635 (2c) LP 05658
Ah, Treachery. 1994. RC 40565 (2c) LP 09001
Eighth Dwarf. 1979. sl RC 13758 (2c)
Fools in Town Are on Our Side. 2003. sl sx vi RC 59357 (3c)
Trenhaile, John.
Young Series:
Mah-Jongg Spies. 1987. sl RC 25137 (3c)
Gates of the Exquisite View. 1989. sl sx vi RC 27568 (3c)
The Man Called Kyril. 1984. sl sx RC 20823 (2c)
Nocturne for the General. 1986. sl RC 23886 (2c)
View From the Square. 1985. sl RC 21471 (2c)
Tucker, John B.
Man Who Looked Like Howard Cosell. 1990. sl RC 29810 (2c)
Uris, Leon.
Topaz. 1978. sl RC 11132 (2c)
Waller, Leslie.
Embassy. 1988. sx RC 26636 (3c)
Weber, Joe.
DEFCON One. 1991. sl RC 32002 (2c)
Targets of Opportunity. 1994. sl vi RC 37770 (3c)
Westlake, Donald E.
Money for Nothing. 2004. vi RC 56096 (2c) BR 14747 (2v)
Whitman, John.
Geneva Accord. 1986. sl sx RC 23513 (2c)
Willig, Lauren.
Napoleonic Spy Series: sx
Secret History of the Pink Carnation. 2005. RC 60668 (3c)
Masque of the Black Tulip. 2006. RC 61532 (3c)
Wilson, Robert.
Company of Strangers. 2002. sl sx vi RC 53474 (4c)
Wise, David.
Children’s Game. 1984. sl sx RC 20782 (2c)
Spectrum. 1981. sx RC 15837 (3c)
Wolstencroft, David.
Contact Zero. 2005. LP 17804
Woods, Stuart.
Short Forever. 2002. sl sx vi RC 54172 (2c) LP 14163
Deep Lie. 1986. sl sx RC 24872 (2c) LP 13276
By providing information in the See Note, the Utah State Library Division, Program for the Blind and Disabled, does not endorse any product, service, organization, or company mentioned herein.
This newsletter is available in Braille by contacting the library.
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