Montana Talking Book Library

Sandra Jarvie retired from her position as Regional Librarian of the Talking Book Library on January 30, 1998. Sandra held this position for seven years. Sandra's personal note to all of our patrons: " This has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Although my favorite things include reading, talking about books and bringing people and books together, other personal favorite things such as traveling and spending time with my family, especially two special grandsons, have brought me to retirement. The staff and volunteers of the Talking Book Library are devoted to providing you with quality library services. I have learned much from them about dedication, focus and hard work. It has been a privilege to have worked with them. I will miss them and you, our patrons. I know I am leaving the library in good hands".

Recent departures in staff have given Karen Strege, State Librarian, the opportunity to make some changes to the library's organizational structure.

The Talking Book Library will come under the direction of the Statewide Library Resources Program Manager, Darlene Staffeldt. Christie Briggs, former Coordinator of Volunteer Services, has accepted the position of Supervisor of the Talking Book Library, under Darlene's direction.This will provide more continuity for all Program One departments. The Talking Book Library joins two other departments: Library and Information Services and Library Development. The position of Coordinator of Volunteer Services is currently being advertized.

When returning a book, please DO NOT include notes or request lists in the green containers. To give you better service, we are now having our volunteers inspect books before they are mailed to you. Therefore, we have no way of knowing what note belongs to which patron if it is enclosed in the green container. Please phone or mail in your requests separately.

Our new software uses a barcode to check books in when returned. This is printed on the front of the address card. It is very important that the barcode not be written over or marked through. Thank you for your help.

The theme for the summer reading challenge will be "The Good, the Bad and the Bugly". The books picked for the program focus on books about bugs. Get involved with this creepy crawly challenge. The challenge will run from June 8th through July 2nd. Be watching for more information in your mail boxes in the coming weeks. Patrons aged 5 through 12 are encouraged to participate. If you have ideas or suggestions please contact Roberta at 1-800-332-3400.

Read Any Good Books Lately?

One that loses you in the plot,
Gives a profound lesson
Or maybe not?
Have you ever read one of mine?
One that takes you through time
Skipping over fields in faraway places,
Meeting historical figures and faces?
If you've read a good book, my friend,
the title and author, to us do send.
For a "good book" is elusive
And impossible to find.
Like trying to be conclusive
With only half a mind.

This little poem is our way of requesting that you give us as much information as you can when it comes to choosing books.

Our Reader Advisors serve approximately 1,000 patrons each and finding a 'good book' for each person can be overwhelming, at the very least. Your assistance in giving us an author or subjects you like to read about is essential in finding you that sometimes elusive "good book".

Some Books to Consider

These books have recently arrived from the National Library Service or have been completed in our local Montana Cassette Book (MCB) Recording Program:

MCB 389 TWIN BRIDGES by Sally Garrett.

Michelle Innes has a passion for raising, training and showing horses professionally. She unwittingly crosses paths with Dr. Lau Brockman, recently acquitted of murder. Explicit descriptions of sex. Some strong language. Narrated by Karen Van Antwerp.

RC 44030 BLACK PROFILES IN COURAGE: A LEGACY OF AFRICAN

AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Alan Steinberg.

Historical gallery of heroes of African descent, recounting stories & contributions to the nation. Narrated by Bob Moore.

RC 41576 COMPLETE AND UTTER FAILURE: A CELEBRATION OF ALSO-RANS, RUNNERS-UP, NEVER-WERES, AND TOTAL FLOPS by Neil Steinberg. A Chicago Sun-Times reporter's comic musings about failed products and "losers", as well as the motivating force of "tippytopness". Narrated by John Lescault.

RC 44638 ASHWORTH HALL by Anne Perry. Superintendent Thomas Pitt and his wife, Charlotte, set out to solve a murder. A Protestant and Catholic meeting turns sour when the chairman is murdered and debauchery is suspected. Bestseller. Narrated by Terry Hayes Sales.

RC 41907 BUFFALO GALS: WOMEN OF THE OLD WEST by Brandon Marie Miller. A look at western migration of Americans, especially women, as well as the role of Native American women, through journals, diaries and letters. Grades 4-6.

Donations and Memorials

The library is grateful for the following bequests, donations and memorial gifts which are used to enhance patron services through the purchase of equipment and materials not otherwise available.

Donations:

Nancy Ball
David Rotar
Ruth/Jack Beals,Jr. Marjorie Rothlisberger
Thelma Beausoleil
Phyllis/Jack Cooper
Sadie/Gordon Smith
Eileen Eisenman
Dean Strand
Adelaide Gelhaus
Rose Sylling
Eleanor V. Harmon Antonia E. Therriault
Mary/Andrew McDonald
Velma Turner
-Montana Association for the Blind
-United Presbyterian Women
-Montana Low Vision Service
Marta Vargas
Elaine Mueller
Margaret White
Alenath Rich
Amoretta/Tom Wilkins
Fay Robertson
Fern/Leonard Salisbury
Nita/James Young

Memorials:

Kitty Bartsch

Lea/Herb Blunn

Jon Beck

Diane M. Meyer

Richard Bisch

Theodore/Lenora Bisch

Ruby Carson

Mr./Mrs. Loyal Baertsch

Sarah & Jasper DeDobbeleen

Mr./Mrs. Arthur Vegge

R. Budd Gould

Emma/Orval Ellison

Helen Jeppeson

Stevenson's Hardin IGA
Emma Jean Stevenson

George Keiser

Margueritte/Edward Komac

Lucy Beatrice Knudson

Jeannine/Deane Rusinko

Neva Linnell

Darlene/George Linnell
Sandra/Robert Short

Ann Renaker

Howard/Irene Henricksen
Dee /James Margaris
Renette/David Heydon
Frances Jones
Linda/Gary Tanner
Fern Peterson
Linda/Phil Yates

Ruby Terrell

Susan Koch Suiter
Marion Koch

Alvida Walters

Jackie Melvin
Julie Wolf
Carol/Keith Rottman
Jeannette/Charles Pisk
Dr. /Mrs. Peter Pisk
Wallace Jacobson
Sylvia Moran
Nancy/Charles Doyle
Mary Lou/Roy Wiles
Mary Virginia McKay
K. Lind/EasternStar

Computer Software Update

Thank you for your patience during some difficult changes in implementing our new computer system from Keystone called "KLAS". Any new system has glitches that must be worked out and KLAS is no exception.

Patron & staff frustrations include:

Receiving books you have not requested. This mainly affects patrons on turn around. We suggest those who are on turn around change their status to receiving only personally requested books. If this is not a viable option, please understand the computer will continue to pick books based on general patron preferences.

The routine quantity of books received has changed. Phone your Reader Advisor when you receive too many or not enough. We'll make adjustments.

Mailing books to patrons five days per week, instead of three. This change has helped the staff and volunteers more evenly distribute daily books mailed out, which is positive, but it has also changed the date that some patrons receive books. Call your Reader Advisor if this presents a problem for you and we'll adjust it.

Even though there are problems with the new system, there are also improvements. Reader Advisors now have the capability of performing more complete book searches from all types of requests (preferences, authors, titles, partial titles or by subject). On the old system, the exact title and author were required for an adequate book search.

The Motor Vehicle Department informs us that a new manual should be available to begin recording by the end of April, 1998. Watch for more information.

New Descriptive Videos

The Library has received several new descriptive videos (DV's). These videos, that play in a standard VCR, have voice over narration provided to describe visual action to visually impaired viewers.

DV 148 White Men Can't Jump
DV 149 Fried Green Tomatoes
DV 150 To Kill A Mockingbird
DV 151 Ransom
DV 152 Liar Liar
DV 153 The Jungle Book
DV 154 The Land Before Time
DV 155 Psycho
DV 156 Mr. Holland's Opus

Other videos ordered, but not yet ready for circulation include:

Sneakers
Phenomenon
The Rock
The Preacher's Wife

DV's are sent out one at a time from a request list. You must return a DV before you can receive another. You may only receive DV's if you are enrolled to receive books as well. If you are interested in receiving DV's call Lee at 1-800-332-3400.