Weekly Wrap-U.P.! May 20, 2022

Consulting

Talking Books

Talking Books is here for any Kansas resident that falls into the medical category to qualify (blind and/or physically handicapped). If one of your patrons needs this service you can print the application form from the State Library of Kansas website here or you can call 1-800-362-0699 to have an application mailed to the patron. The patron will take the application to file out and return to your library. The director of the library can be an authorizing signature when the handicap is evident. If the handicap isn’t evident then the patron will need a physicians signature.

When the application is turned in to the library and all signatures are signed then you will need to send it to the System Office to Richard Brookman. From there he will make a copy of the application and forward the original application to Talking Books, headquartered at Emporia State University. The turn around for a machine and the starting titles should be approximately 2 weeks.

With mail service being slow at times it could be up to 1 month. If for any reason between that 2 week to 1 month period the patron has not received their machine and beginning titles have them report it to the library. From that point the library will need to contact Richard Brookman to follow-up on what is taking so long for the Talking Book product to reach the patron.

Also the System will come to your community to do a talk about Talking Books for your patrons if you wish. This program is state funded and is part of the System’s services. If you have any interest in having the System come out and do a Talking Books presentation please contact Richard Brookman at rbrookman@swkls.org.

Engaging Adults with Low Literacy Levels

On July 7, 2022, WebJunction will be hosting “Engaging Adults with Low Literacy Levels” webinar. It will begin at 2:00 pm CT with Katharine Ware, Writing and Education Consultant, presenting.

“In the U.S., there are 43 million adults–nearly one in five–who read below a third-grade level, and over half of all adults read below a sixth-grade level (National Action Plan for Adult Literacy, 2021). Low levels in literacy can impact many aspects of daily life including the ability to find and maintain employment, navigate health care needs, and complete government forms. This webinar will explore the characteristics of adults with low literacy levels and how they differ from those of adults with learning disabilities, including how and why each of these groups approaches reading. Learn about the importance and value of developing literacy skills, as well as strategies for library staff on how to identify when someone may need literacy support, how to broach the subject with a patron, and ways to suggest materials and resources to reluctant adults who may be struggling with literacy.”  

If you are interested in this WebJuction webinar follow this link to register.

Just Added!

• eBooks:
  • (Kids) “The Bad Guys” series by Aaron Blabley – All 14 titles are available now, and #15 and #16 are coming soon!
  • (Kids) “Touching Spirit Bear” by Ben Mikaelsen
  • (Adults) “Out of the Corner” by Jennifer Grey
  • (Adults) “Mean Baby” by Selma Blair
• eAudio
  • (Kids) “The Doll People” series by Ann Martin – All 4 titles are available now.
  • (Kids) “Touching Spirit Bear” by Ben Mikaelsen
  • (Kids) “Petey” by Ben Mikaelsen
  • (Adults) “Out of the Corner” by Jennifer Grey
  • (Adults) “Mean Baby” by Selma Blair
• Sincerest gratitude to Amy Brucker at Hamilton County Library for these purchases!