Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library

Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library Annual Report Fiscal Year 2012

Address: 175 North Beacon Street Watertown, MA 02472 Phone: 800-852-3133 or 617-972-7240 Fax: 617-972-7363 TTY: 617-972-7690 Email: [email protected] Web: www.perkinslibrary.org Twitter: @perkinsbtbl

Funded under contract #RFR12-108 by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners with an appropriation from the Massachusetts General Court. The Year in Review

Fiscal year 2012 marked a period focused on service delivery, ongoing outreach and awareness activities, continued transition of digital magazine services and further implementation of the 5-year revised strategic plan to guide the Library’s programs and services into the future.

The year’s activities focused on:

 Ongoing provision of a full range of high quality Library services to existing borrowers  Continued outreach activities to potentially eligible library users across Massachusetts  Expanded publicity opportunities, media contacts and public awareness for the Perkins Library  Increased usage and enhanced services from the Newsline program including the addition of AccuWeather alerts  Promotion and continued administration of the Braille & Audio Reading Download (BARD) Program for downloadable digital audio materials in collaboration with the National Library Service for the Blind & Physically Handicapped (NLS)  Expanded production of recorded and braille titles for the Library's collection  Growth of the digital cartridge duplication program  Continued conversion of locally produced studio materials to the NLS digital cartridge format  Conclusion of the implementation of the strategic plan for 2008-2012 The Library’s Public Education Plan for FY2012 included publication of the Library's newsletter Dots & Decibels; production of PerKIDS, the Library's children and youth newsletter; the semiannual dissemination of the audio description news flyer; and the development of a Frequently Asked Questions publication. Other media initiatives included the continuation of a very successful billboard outreach campaign and production of a 60- second radio announcement for use in outreach to expand the awareness of the services of the Perkins Library.

In FY2012, the Library focused on outreach to all organizations serving people with disabilities eligible to use Perkins Library services. Of particular emphasis during the year was outreach to individuals and organizations serving people with physical disabilities. A major mailing was distributed to over 15,000 potentially eligible clients of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission and the eleven Massachusetts independent living centers. The mailing highlighted how people with physical disabilities having difficulty holding a book or turning pages are also eligible for our services. With a dedicated position focusing on outreach, the Library increased the user base by 10.09 percent, adding 2,214 new patrons in FY2012. Taking into account borrowers who pass away, are no longer able to use the service due to severe illness, regain their vision, or move out of Massachusetts, the Perkins Library experienced an overall net increase of plus-4 percent.

Media Outreach & Publications Initiatives

Library Billboard Campaign

Thanks to the continued generosity of the regional division of Clear Channel Corporation, billboards featuring the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library continue to be displayed all across Massachusetts including in 50 new locations. The attractive billboards spotlight the Perkins Library service and feature Library borrower Dean Denniston, relaxing on an orange couch, with a big smile on his face while enjoying a talking book.

The text reads: Audio Books and Magazines, Newspapers by Phone... Reading Never Sounded So Good Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library www.perkinslibrary.org

The Perkins Library was successful in placing several feature articles in local area newspapers, internet sources, and gaining periodical coverage for the work of the Library.

Famous Authors Enlighten Perkins

Three of the state’s most popular novelists swapped humorous stories about their writing life, gave tips to would-be authors and read excerpts from their books at a presentation sponsored by the Perkins Library on October 6.

More than 200 library patrons, Perkins students and staff turned out to hear and meet Dennis Lehane (Shutter Island and Gone Baby Gone), Barbara Delinsky (Escape and While My Sister Sleeps) and Hank Phillippi Ryan (Drive Time and the upcoming The Other Woman). The event was designed to promote the Braille & Talking Book Library to an estimated 100,000 people with disabilities in Massachusetts who could use its free services, but aren’t aware they are eligible to do so. Lehane, whose gritty mystery novels are set in and around Boston, said he first developed a love for reading as a child when his mother took him to a library in Dorchester.

Lehane captivates the audience at the Perkins BTBL Author Event. “I’m here because of libraries. It’s quite simple,” he said. “So I can’t say enough about libraries. What they do here at the Perkins Library every day is an exceptional act and a type of living prayer.”

Author Barbara Delinsky speaks to a crowd of more than 200 people in Dwight Hall. Delinsky took an unusual path to becoming a published author. She was a stay-at-home mom with three children when she read a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Three months later, she had written and sold her first novel. “I wrote my very first book almost on a whim,” she admitted. Delinsky started out writing Harlequin romances, and penned about 50 of them under a pseudonym before making the jump to mainstream fiction. She has now written 17 bestsellers, mostly character-driven dramas about marriage, parenthood and friendship. Her secret is writing books she enjoys reading. “I am my quintessential reader,” she said. “I am so like my readers.” Hank Phillippi Ryan credits her writing career to a fictional teenage sleuth. “I knew that I always wanted to write mysteries, starting as a little kid when I read Nancy Drew,” she said. Instead, Ryan became an award-winning investigative television journalist on Boston’s WHDH-TV. She won 27 Emmy Awards over 30 years, and didn’t write her first book, Prime Time, until she was 55. Ryan wrote about what she knew, making the hero of her Charlotte McNally mystery series a hard-charging TV reporter in Boston. She also drew on the skills she developed writing for television to write her novel. After the forum, Ryan was presented with a braille edition of Prime Time. The book, the first of her novels to be printed in braille, was produced at Perkins by the Braille & Talking Book Library. Principal who is Blind Credits Perkins Wisdom for His Success

Educator Bill Henderson, whose vision loss didn’t stop him from serving for 20 years as principal of an inclusive elementary school, said much of his success came from following what he called “Perkins Wisdom.” Speaking at Perkins on Nov. 7, Henderson said Perkins Wisdom consisted of two simple but powerful concepts, “All they see are possibilities, and we’re going to help you get there.” As an adult, Henderson lost his sight to retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease. He served as principal of the O’Hearn Elementary School in Dorchester, Mass., for 20 years before retiring in 2009. He wrote a book about his experiences, The Blind Advantage: How Going Blind Made Me a Stronger Principal and How Including Children With Disabilities Made Our School Better for Everyone, (DBM 1266 and BRM 1454) published by Harvard Education Press. Before an audience of more than 200 Perkins students, staff and faculty, Henderson said, “It’s because of Perkins that I became a principal.” His students accepted the idea of a blind principal so naturally that when his braille teacher, who also used a white cane, visited his office, students asked the man, “In what school are you the principal?” “It shows you how quickly perceptions and beliefs can change,” he said. Inspired by a philosophy of inclusiveness and collaboration, Henderson said, “Our school became one of the best schools academically.” When he retired, the school was renamed the Dr. William W. Henderson Inclusion Elementary School in his honor. Perkins Library Hosts “Dogs at Work” Stamp Unveiling

On February 14, Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library honored “Dogs at Work,” the subject of a set of four new 65¢ U.S. Postage Stamps. Boston Postmaster James J. Holland unveiled the guide dog stamp at Perkins in Watertown. Randy Price, co-anchor of WCVB-TV’s “Eye Opener” morning news program served as master of ceremonies for the gathering of Library patrons and friends. The 200 attendees included many service dogs with their humans.

Perkins Library Director Kim Charlson got her first guide dog just over 30 years ago. Dolly, who accompanied Charlson as she greeted visitors, is her fourth dog. “It’s important that we recognize the many ways these hard- working canines contribute to the independence and safety of the people they serve,” she said. “We also hope this event will help everyone, especially people who encounter dogs in public, understand how critical service dogs are in enabling their owners to be active and involved members of society.” The event also served as a kind of “Valentine” to mail carriers, saluting the regional postal service which provides outstanding service to Library patrons by delivering free and accessible library materials to their homes via U.S. Mail. Dedicated letter carriers are a lifeline to people who cannot read traditional print.

Kim Charlson also presented an award to the U.S. Postal Service recognizing the dedication of USPS employees in delivering library materials every day. The stamp enlargement was given to Perkins and will be on display.

Louis Braille Hall of Fame Ceremony

On April 21, Kim Charlson represented Perkins in Chicago, at the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons conference, a division of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Kim accepted the Louis Braille Hall of Fame award on behalf of all braille readers at the opening ceremony of the ASCRS annual conference. The ASCRS Hall of Fame recognizes individuals, past and present, who have made a difference in the lives of people including those with visual impairments.

According to ASCRS, "Louis Braille truly made a difference in the lives of millions of people who are blind all around the world. By bringing a means for people who are blind to read and write independently, Louis Braille opened the doors of literacy to people who are blind."

Perhaps it was said best by Helen Keller, "The blind are as indebted to Louis Braille as mankind is to Gutenberg." The crystal award will reside at Perkins to be enjoyed by all as braille is a gift to all peoples around the world. Visitors to Perkins

Mayor Thomas Menino Visits Perkins

Mayor Thomas Menino Visits Perkins On October 19, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino visited Perkins to learn more about the school’s programs and the Library. Kim Charlson, Library Director demonstrated the digital player and showed the Mayor an example of a digital talking book recorded in the Perkins studio, Boston Italians. Menino was very pleased to see that that specific title was available as an audio book. Charlson also demonstrated the equipment, explained how the service works, and showed Menino the Newsline talking newspaper service. The Mayor indicated that he wants to have a closer relationship with Perkins and the Library for elders and people with disabilities in Boston.

Representative Marty Walz Visits Perkins and BTBL

On Monday, January 9, Representative Marty Walz visited Perkins, met with Steven Rothstein and toured the Braille & Talking book Library. She saw the full operation, and used the digital player, heard how Newsline works, observed a narrator team in the studio working on a book, and brainstormed with staff about ways to get the word out to her constituents in various parts of Boston and Cambridge. She currently serves as a vice chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means.

State Senator William Brownsberger visits Perkins State Senator William Brownsberger visited the Perkins campus on Friday, March 9 for a tour of the Braille & Talking Book Library. The Watertown native came to Perkins to learn firsthand the quality and scope of programs available to students on campus and in the community, and to understand the vital role state funding plays in maintaining those services including the Library. Senator Brownsberger demonstrated that he has a strong interest in learning more about these critical issues. His visit to the Library included discussion of the full range of services provided, a demonstration of the Newsline program, and a walk-around tour of the facilities showing the scope and scale of services provided. Brownsberger was most impressed with the Library program, and will continue to advocate on its behalf at the State House. Simmons College Library Science Students Visit In 2012, two classes of library science students from Simmons College visited the Perkins Library for presentations and tours. Each semester, instructors at Simmons bring students to learn more about providing library services to people with disabilities. They also learn about assistive technologies in libraries, the Americans with Disabilities Act, programmatic accommodations, and how best to provide services to special Populations. Feedback on the visits are always very positive, and the Library often hears back from the students once they graduate and begin working in public libraries across New England.

U.S. Senator Scott Brown Visits Perkins On Monday, April 3, Senator Scott Brown toured the Perkins campus. He got an inside look at the Watertown campus including the new Grousbeck Center for Students and Technology. Steven Rothstein demonstrated the NLS digital player to Senator Brown, and Kim Charlson showed him what a digital cartridge and container look like. She showed him his book Against All Odds (DB 72805) and he was very excited to see the technology and understand how it worked. He stated that he was aware of the federal program and the funding that supports it, and he acknowledged that it was useful to see the equipment and materials in real life. He expressed his awareness of how important the program is to so many Massachusetts residents. China Braille Press Visit

On June 12, the Perkins Library hosted a visit by six staff members from the China Braille Press, including the President, Assistant Chief Editor, Director of Information Accessibility, Director of Assistive Technology and a translator. Kim Charlson and James Gleason met with the group, explained what the Perkins Library does, and showed them the braille production, graphics production and recording studio and duplication facilities. Following lunch, the group traveled to Worcester to visit a subregional library in the NLS program.

China Braille Press is a comprehensive cultural publishing house serving blind people. In addition to providing braille books, talking books, large print books and other blindness information products, China Braille Press also offers library services to individuals who are blind.

Service and Operational Supports

Book Buddy Program Update

There are a great many Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library patrons in Massachusetts who have no one to help them order their books. The Book Buddy Program was established to match a patron with a volunteer who will call an assigned patron and then help them choose books by reading the descriptions in the Talking Book Topics and/or Braille Book Review catalogs and creating a request list. Initial feedback from early users is very positive, and the book buddies really help borrowers to connect to the Library and get what they are interested in reading.

Master Tape Collection Contamination

In early December, in response to suspected air quality issues in the BTBL Duplication Room, a preliminary environmental air quality assessment was conducted by the Perkins occupational safety consultant. It was determined that there was an issue in the room with lack of a fresh air source. This situation was corrected, but while assessing the air quality, it was also determined that the cassette master tapes in that room had a condition known as Sticky Shed Syndrome, which affects chrome tape causing the tape to disintegrate and to outgas fumes that if inhaled over time could be a potential health risk. In addition to determining that our master tapes had an outbreak of Sticky Shed Syndrome, our master tapes also had mold contamination, which is the most common biological contaminant of tape identified with Sticky Shed Syndrome. When diagnosed, the fungus had to be considered toxic and treated with great care.

Perkins contracted with Northeast Remediation to remove the tape containers housed in the Duplication Room in an environmentally safe manner. The procedures used were all EPA approved as standard practice for removing suspected mold and fungus infestations and all working areas in the building were kept safe for staff and volunteers.

The removal of over 40,000 tape master containers was completed in four days, four dumpsters of containers were removed from the building, and all surfaces in the room were sanitized and disinfected. Upon the completion of the removal process, the Perkins occupational safety consultant returned to confirm that the air quality had improved to normal air standards. The project included updating of the Library’s database with the removal of titles that were no longer available through Perkins but could be obtained via interlibrary loan.

If this situation had occurred three or four years ago, it would have been a major problem, but with so much of the collection now available in a digital format, needing to have access to master tapes just wasn’t a priority for the Library any longer. We have subsequently relocated the older portion of the digital collection and the locally produced digital collection into the stacks for easier access for shipping. What could have been a very serious and costly situation was cleared up with minimal cost and has made operations more efficient in the process. Studio Narration Training with Award Winning Narrator: Robin Miles

This year, the Perkins Library held its annual Studio Narration Skills training on Monday, December 12 at 9 AM in the new Grousbeck Center for Students and Technology. Robin Miles, professional audiobook narrator in New York City and former NLS narrator shared tips and led over 50 studio narrators and editors in training exercises. A panel of talking book library patrons, moderated by Kim Charlson, shared what they like to hear in audio books. One-on-one narration feedback sessions were held with Robin Miles in the studio afterwards.

Narrators were so impressed with Robin's skills, that they asked her to come back in the spring to give approximately eighteen narrators more one-on-one training. Through a generous donation from John Gamel, a studio narrator, and an individual fee, the expenses for Robin to return to Perkins for more targeted narrator training were covered. It speaks so strongly to the dedication and commitment of our studio volunteers to put their own money forward to improve their skills!

Lois Fontana Foundation Established to Support Studio The Lois M. Fontana Charitable Foundation was set up to support the studio's customized recording services. Lois Fontana, a 7 year studio narrator, set up a foundation which will make major gifts to Perkins to support the Recording Studio Programs’ development and growth. The first phase was the creation of a 20 hour per week Recording Studio Assistant position, who will work to reduce the backlog of digital books that remain in post-production, while another 75 are actively being recorded in the studio by any one of our 60- plus library collection program volunteer narrators at any given time.

Secondly, the Foundation Board with the assistance of Perkins’ President Steven Rothstein will be hiring a professional consultant to spearhead the development of a business plan for growing the Studio’s Custom Fee-for-Service Program. The estimated timeframe for implementing the business plan would be fall 2012. Possible future plans for the Foundation to fund include an additional 20 hour per week position for the Custom Recording program following the completion of the business plan process.

Many thanks go to Foundation Volunteer Board members: Lois Fontana, Bart Morse, Marion Fontana and Tom Fontana.

Perkins Library Wins ASCLA Award

The Perkins Library was recognized by ASCLA (Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies of the American Library Association) as the recipient of the 2012 ASCLA/KLAS/NOD Award. The award is sponsored by ASCLA, the National Organization on Disability, Keystone Systems, and is given to a library organization that has provided services for people with disabilities. The award recognizes projects focused on the improvement of library services to people with disabilities, and demonstrated innovation in service delivery and utilization of emerging technology. Perkins shared this honor with the Boston Public Library for our innovative scanning project.

The Digital Access Project is a collaborative activity including the Boston Public Library and the Internet Archive. Through this joint initiative, patrons of the BTBL who have print disabilities can get quick access to print books available in the huge collection of the Boston Public Library within 24 hours. Access is provided through the digital scanning of the print text and the conversion of the file into a protected DAISY (Digital Audio Information System) file.

Requests are submitted via email, the BPL copy of the title is retrieved from the shelf, and the print book gets scanned page by page. The scanned file then gets sent off to the Internet Archive to be copyright protected into a protected DAISY file that can only be accessed by eligible print disabled borrowers of the Perkins Library using a special digital key and the player's built-in speech synthesizer. The book is downloaded by Perkins staff and the file is forwarded to the patron having adaptive technology to place it on to their player.

The most amazing part of this project is that it utilizes existing resources to expand and make printed materials accessible without costing thousands of dollars. The Digital Access Project brings accessibility into the mix, and further reduces the massive delays in getting a book in an accessible format. Now, through this project, patrons can have a very readable, and easy to navigate book in 24 hours – something that was not even thought possible previously. This type of information integration is pivotal to our fast-paced society where access to information is the key to the 21st century.

Awareness and Outreach Activities

Other awareness and outreach activities were directed toward special education programs, organizations serving people with physical disabilities, and councils on aging throughout the Commonwealth. Rehabilitation service organizations and home health care and other human service professionals continued to be priorities for developing more effective methods and strategies to inform them specifically that people with physical disabilities which restrict their ability to hold a book or turn pages are also eligible for the wide range of programs and services available through the Library.

Staff continued to speak to groups upon request; exhibited at consumer meetings; and produced two issues of Dots & Decibels and PerKIDS newsletters.

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION TOTAL Presentations Information sessions with groups 102 Tours On-site library tours 17 Special Events Book/Author talks/ presentations 13 Conferences Library displays/exhibits 39 Book Group Perkins book discussion groups 22 Grand Total 193

Patron Services

The Perkins Library continued to manage the program with funding appropriated by the Legislature and administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

Strategic Plan Implementation

The Perkins Library continued its final year of implementation of the Long- Range Plan for 2008 – 2012 during the year. This plan places outreach initiatives, broadening patron engagement, and increasing patron satisfaction as high priorities for the future.

The goals the plan outlines are:

 Reach a broader and more diverse audience who can benefit from the Library’s services  Deepen engagement of current and future patrons  Actively pursue enhanced technology for access to and administration of specialized materials  Secure the staff, facilities, and other resources required to operate successfully Each of these goals was broken down, and targeted strategies were developed to insure success on these objectives.

The plan also introduced Perkins Library’s revised mission statement which reads: “The Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library provides accessible library services and resources that enable all people who are unable to read conventional print due to a disability to experience the joy of reading and lifelong learning.”

The Perkins Library’s 2008 – 2012 Long-Range Plan and its executive summary are available upon request from the Library in large print, braille, audio format, and via email. Plans for revision of the plan will take place in Fiscal Year 2013. Digital Talking Book and Magazine Transition Continues

The response from borrowers to the new digital equipment and books continues to be extremely positive citing the smaller size, convenience of one book per cartridge, and improved sound quality as significant improvements. As the digital transition continues, patrons have a growing selection of materials in the new digital format to choose from.

The Library's digital duplication program focused its emphasis on converting the remaining available magazine titles from analog tape to the digital cartridge format. This initiative was successful, and Perkins has set up an FTP site for digital file sharing with other talking book libraries for both books and magazines. The digital duplication program handles all media duplication and repair of audio described DVDs.

The Perkins Library continues to work with patrons learning to use the NLS BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) website. BARD is the national digital book download program with over 29,000 titles available to patrons 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Staff supported patrons in learning how to log into the site, search for items using the website’s various search features and indices, and download the items onto the new NLS digital cartridge to use with the player.

Newsline Program

Newsline, an electronic system that allows users to listen to newspapers and magazines through synthetic voice output via any touch-tone telephone, continued to serve over 2,400 listeners in FY2012. By calling in on a local or toll-free number, users choose any of the newspapers available in the program and listen to that day, the previous day, or the Sunday edition of a specific paper. Massachusetts newspapers on the system include: Associated Press- Massachusetts, The Berkshire Eagle, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Cape Cod Times, Christian Science Monitor, Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise, Lowell Sun, Nashoba Public Spirit, North Adams Transcript, Springfield Republican, United Press International- Massachusetts, the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, and the Watertown Tab & Press. Over 320 other major newspapers and 40 magazines from throughout the United States and Canada are also available. Ten international newspapers are part of Newsline, as well as four newspapers provided in Spanish.

In addition to the hundreds of publications and TV listings available, Newsline now offers subscribers the ability to independently access job classifieds and apply for open positions. With this groundbreaking job- listings feature, users are able to search for job openings that match their education, skills, and interests. AccuWeather alerts were added this year providing important emergency weather information to users.

Newsline Program Usage

Category FY 12 FY 11 Change Total Active Users 2,340 2,100 +11.4% Total Calls 104,906 103,535 +1.32% Total Minutes Used 2,102,621 2,182,170 -3.65% Total Web Users 114 76 +50.0% Total Web Sessions 4,423 3,332 +32.74% “In Your Pocket” Users 21 31 -32.25% “In Your Pocket” Downloads 14,898 16,699 -10.79% Total Email Users 82 76 +7.89% Total Email Downloads 144,674 136,259 +6.18% FY2012 Volunteer Contributions

The Library continued to utilize the services of the Cincinnati-based G.E. Elfun headquarters repair group for a small number of cassette player repairs each month. Appreciation gifts and certificates were sent to the Cincinnati G.E. Elfun volunteers in gratitude for their contribution to our equipment program.

One hundred thirty-eight other in-house volunteers who assist with the inspection and repair of returned books, record and edit studio productions, duplicate copies of digital magazines and books, help in producing braille and audio materials or perform clerical tasks contributed 12,174.50 hours or 5.85 FTE. All of the One hundred and thirty-eight volunteers generously donated a total of 12,174.50 hours equaling a 5.85 total FTE staffing contribution to the Library during the 2012 fiscal year.

Annual Volunteer Activity Report July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012

Library Department Volunteer FTE Estimated Estimated Hours Federal Value State Value Machine Lending 40 .02 $ 871.60 $ 1,073.60 Clerical/Office 1,527 .73 $ 33,273.33 $ 40,984.68 Inspection 3,637.50 1.75 $ 79,261.13 $ 97,630.50 Studio 5,430 2.61 $118,319.70 $145,741.20 Braille Production 1,125 .54 $ 24,513.75 $ 30,195.00 Duplication 385 .19 $ 8,389.15 $ 10,333.40 Book Buddies 30 .01 $ 653.70 $ 805.20 Total 12,174.50 5.85 $265,282.36 $326,763.58

Note: Volunteer hourly rates are calculated by Independent Sector and the 2011 estimates for the value of a volunteer hour reached $21.79. This is the national average; with the 2010 figure for Massachusetts being set at $26.84 per hour. Service and Budget Summary

Massachusetts Registered Patrons: FY2012 FY2011 Individuals 20,357 19,577 Institutions 1,585 1,511 Total 21,942 21,088

Massachusetts Book Circulation: Cassette Materials 136,145 226,384 Digital Books 330,934 230,197 Braille Materials 9,181 9,262 Described Videos (VHS) 141 702 Described DVD 1,362 1,423

Unabridged Downloads 01 653 NLS BARD Download 52,435 49,638 SHELF Downloads 285 0 Total 530,483 518,259

Book Circulation/Patron: 24.17 24.57 Equipment Circulation: 5,131 7,211

Collection Holdings: Titles 126,706 120,881 Volumes 1,141,426 1,090,568

Budget Summary: Staffing Costs $1,315,547.96 $1,293,781.75 Direct Costs $ 761,672.72 $ 780,769.80 Other Costs $ 163,795.32 $ 166,464.45 Total $2,241,016.00 $2,241,016.00

Title Search Statistics (FY2012): # of Patrons Title Searches Found (%) Not Found (%) 5,296 10,126 8,960 (88%) 1,166 (12%)

1 Service disbanded in FY11 Reference Request Statistics (FY2012): # of Patrons Ref. Requests Found (%) Forwarded (%) 1,095 1,153 1,117 (97%) 36 (3%)

NLS BARD Digital Download Statistics: Active Patrons 1,267 984 Titles Downloaded 52,435 49,638

Number of Phone Calls in FY2012: 35,742

Service and Budget Summary

The Board of Library Commissioners continued to work with consumers of the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library and the Talking Book Library in Worcester to advocate for level funding for the Massachusetts Talking Book Program. In addition, Perkins School for the Blind, members of the Consumer Advisory Board and borrowers of the Braille & Talking Book Library advocated actively to preserve funding levels for FY2012. Consumers and Library staff attended several legislative events at the State House to assist borrowers in distributing information about the Talking Book Program.

The Library, together with its Consumer Advisory Board (CAB) and administering agencies, continued implementation of a revised 5-year strategic plan. CAB continues to meet its mandate to help the Library in accomplishing its core mission of effectively helping patrons pursue lifelong learning, knowledge through self-education, and the joy of reading.

The Consumer Advisory Board also continued to encourage the activities of the Friends of the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library.

The Friends supported the Library’s Summer Reading Program; the museum pass program; purchased described DVD’s for the collection; supported the purchase of 30 subscriptions to Dialogue Magazine in braille, large print and in audio and email formats; covered expenses for the narrator skills training; and sponsored several employee recognition activities. NAME # OF PASSES Isabella Stewart Gardner 6 Museum of Fine Art 21 Museum of Science 17 Mystic Seaport 2 New England Aquarium 21 USS Constitution 1 Museum Zoo New England 6 Total 74

Staff continued to work hard to provide essential services to Library borrowers, while balancing added workloads and job responsibilities.

The Library was able to expand outreach efforts, maintain the Newsline program, and the recording studio and braille production programs, with the FY2012 appropriation being $2,241,016, the same level appropriated for FY2011.

The Braille & Talking Book Library continued to provide recorded media services to residents of Eastern and Western Massachusetts, as well as to loan braille materials, described videos and DVD’s, braille awareness kits, CCTVs, Perkins Braillers, downloadable audio books, playback equipment and accessories throughout the state.

Overview of the Talking Book Program

The Braille and Talking Book Program is a free national library program providing braille and audio materials for blind, visually impaired, reading and physically disabled individuals, operated by the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library in collaboration with the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), a division of the Library of Congress. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides funding for this program through its Board of Library Commissioners.

The Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library has been providing specialized library services since 1835. It became a founding member of the Library of Congress / National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped network in 1931. Readership statistics indicate that 61% of the Library’s current users are legally blind, 21% are visually impaired, 5% have physical disabilities, 8% are reading disabled, and 5% represent institutions serving eligible borrowers.

Eligibility:

Anyone who is unable to read or use standard printed materials as a result of temporary or permanent visual or physical limitations may receive service. Institutions and agencies serving individuals who meet the eligibility requirements may also use the program.

Services Provided:

Patrons may place orders for specific book and magazine titles as well as receive automatic selections based on their reading interests. The Library provides interlibrary loan services for titles available from other NLS network libraries, from other regional library system members, and additional non-print sources. The Clive W. Lacy Recording Studio, located in the Library, records titles of local and regional interest not available in the national collection. The Library’s Braille Production Program produces braille books, magazines and other materials for collection development and patron use.

Reference services, customized bibliographies, and internet search services are available without cost to the user. The Library also provides the Perkins SHELF local book download, an Online Public Access Catalog and email to staff from the webpage at www.PerkinsLibrary.org.

The program’s Machine Lending Agency loans playback equipment and other specialized accessories needed to read talking books. The service includes the free loan, replacement and repair of equipment for patrons for as long as they are active members of the program. Service orders may be placed by phone, fax, email, or via print or braille correspondence. Orders are generally filled within two business days. Patrons are also welcome to drop in for service during business hours.

Patron services staff are available Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM except holidays to assist individuals, libraries, and agencies. Patrons may also leave messages evenings and weekends at 617-972-7240 or toll- free at 1-800-852-3133. Email orders or inquiries can be directed to [email protected]. Consumer Advisory Board Members

Chair: Paul Saner Bay State Council of the Blind

Vice Chair: Elizabeth (Liz) Moltrup At-Large Member

Kobena Bonney National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts

DeAnn Elliott Carroll Center for the Blind

Frances Giandalone At-Large Member

Nona Haroyan Talking Book Library at Worcester Public Library

Lillian Johnson Perkins School for the Blind Alumni

David C. Lynn Blinded Veterans Association - Massachusetts Chapter

Mary Mahon-McCauley Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission

Paul Parravano At-Large Member

Representative of People with Physical Disabilities - VACANT

Mary Rose Quinn Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners Steven M. Rothstein, President Perkins School for the Blind

The Honorable Steven A. Tolman Massachusetts Senate

Joe Weisse Massachusetts Commission for the Blind

Irving Zangwill Representative of the General Library Community

Ex Officio

Kim Charlson Braille & Talking Book Library

James Izatt Worcester Public Library Talking Book Library

Cindy Roach Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

Robert Maier Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners The Staff

Patricia Ahern, Reader Advisor Martin Baronas, Shipping/Receiving Clerk Judi Cannon, Braille Services Specialist Michael Cataruzolo, Volunteer Coordinator Kim Charlson, Library Director John Eaves, Shipping/Receiving Clerk Vicki Fallis, Magazine Specialist Harriet Franklin, Administrative Assistant James Gleason, Deputy Director/Special Services Librarian Daniel Guenther, Studio Intern Ron Heaton, Warehouse Operations Manager Thomas Hyde, Equipment Clerk Joseph Ronald Lemieux, Assistant Equipment Technician Stephen Magliozzi, Equipment Technician Tim McGrath, Digital Duplication coordinator Eileen Morange, Registration Services Manager Mark Pennington, Shipping/Receiving Clerk Robert Pierson, Studio Manager Linda Rossman, Reference Librarian Robert Rowley, Lead Shipping Clerk Oris Ryan, Shipping/Receiving Clerk Debby Smith, Library Outreach Coordinator Todd Smith, Digital Recording Specialist Johanna Umana, Children's Resources and Services Librarian Vicki Vogt, Reader Advisor