WOLFNER NEWS
Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped
Changes at Wolfner Library
The new millennium brought with it big changes for Wolfner Library. The public services section of Wolfner Library, which includes the reader advisors, has moved from its previous location in the back of the building into an area just a few steps away from the front door. Wolfner's circulation and tape duplication departments have expanded into the space vacated by the public services staff, giving both much-needed room to grow.
The entire Wolfner Library staff spent a busy few weeks after the New Year packing, unpacking and situating themselves into new office space. Through it all we managed to keep library service running pretty smoothly. With the move came a new, upgraded telephone system, which Wolfner staff members are already handling with ease.
The public services area of Wolfner Library is now easily accessible to those patrons who visit us in person. The reader advisors are located in the first office on the right after you enter the building. In the past, patrons had to take the elevator up to the second floor and meet with the reference librarian. Now if you visit us, you will be able to sit down with your own reader advisor.
Wolfner has had a few personnel changes as well. We welcome Natalie Morris as our new circulation clerk. She replaces Jason Bittle, who took a position in another division of the Secretary of State's office.
Also new to the Wolfner staff is Deborah Stroup. The position Deborah is filling is new to Wolfner Library as well. On the next page, you'll find an introductory letter written by Deborah, which explains what she'll be doing for the library in her new position.
All in all, the new millennium brought great changes for Wolfner Library. We hope the same is true for you as well. Happy Spring!
Hello from the Volunteer Coordinator
Hello Friends,
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Deborah Stroup, and I am the Coordinator of Volunteers for Wolfner Library. I started at Wolfner on January 3, 2000. I have met some of you, and talked with others on the telephone. I look forward to meeting and working with many more of you this year.
There have been many volunteers over the years who have worked for and advocated on behalf of Wolfner Library. Volunteers serve on the Friends of Wolfner and the Wolfner Advisory boards. However, we have never before had a regular volunteer program, or a staff person whose sole duties centered on the development of volunteers. This is an exciting opportunity for all of us to expand the services Wolfner can provide to the citizens of Missouri.
We anticipate having volunteers all over the state, serving in many different capacities. We need volunteers to help staff exhibits, to help people learn to use playback machines, to help in the library itself, and to narrate books on tape. We also need monitors and reviewers for the recording process.
If you are interested in any of these areas, you can call me directly at 573-522-2766, or call on the Wolfner toll-free line and ask for Deborah. If you know other people who might be interested, I encourage you to let me know, or give them this article. You might also let any other organizations you are involved with know about our program. I would be happy to contact any person or any organization that would like more information.
The year 2000 will be an exciting, challenging time for Wolfner Library, and I am thrilled to be able to share it with you.
New Blue Ridge Radio Plays Available
Wolfner Library has received nine new titles from the Blue Ridge Radio Players. These tapes are not standard talking books, but full dramatizations of short stories, original stories, or historical events, and are usually no more than 30 minutes in length. They are recorded on 2-track, commercial speed cassettes.
If you would like to order any of these titles, or if you would like a complete list of the titles available, please call Wolfner Library and ask to speak with your reader advisor.
WOC287 The Million Pound Note
WOC288 Sidney Carton
WOC291 The Blue Hotel
WOC295 The Law of Averages
WOC297 The Lovers
WOC288 A Scandal in Bohemia
WOC290 Animal Tales
WOC292 Silver Blaze
WOC298 The Nobility Pitch
NEWSLINE Newspaper Reading Service Now Available in Missouri
Wolfner Library is pleased to announce that Missouri has joined the NEWSLINE network and can now offer NEWSLINE to all of its eligible citizens. In 1994 the National Federation for the Blind introduced NEWSLINE, a dial-up newspaper reading service. For the first time, those who were blind or visually or physically disabled were able to access the up-to-date information available in newspapers at their convenience.
Now, NEWSLINE has come to Missouri. You will be able to "read" any of three national newspapers by calling a number in Kansas City, St. Louis, or Springfield and entering your password. By following a touch-tone menu, you will be able to access different sections of the newspaper--the front page, the sports page, the business page, etc. Local papers from each city will soon be available. You choose the newspaper and voice you prefer. You can also choose from the current day's paper, the previous day's paper, or the previous Sunday's paper.
NEWSLINE has no fees and there will be no cost to you if you live within one of the local telephone calling areas. If you do not live in the local calling areas of Kansas City, St. Louis or Springfield, long-distance charges will apply. A fact sheet on telephone costs will be available.
You can apply for NEWSLINE by calling Wolfner Library at 800-392-2614. We can take your application over the phone or we will mail you an application. After you make your application, you will receive, through the mail, a personal identification number (PIN) and a security code to gain access to NEWSLINE. Your PIN number and security code can be used anywhere in the NEWSLINE network. There are currently more than 70 centers located across the country. You can listen to the newspaper for a maximum of five hours, in 30-minute, sessions for up to 10 sessions per day.
Newspapers available on NEWSLINE: Kansas City area: USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post St. Louis area: USA Today, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune Springfield area: USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post
Overdue Braille Books
URGENT!! If you have braille books that have been at your home or facility for more than six weeks, they are overdue. Wolfner Library gets just one copy of each adult braille book and two copies of each juvenile braille book. When you keep braille books for months, or even years, (and yes, unfortunately, this does happen), you are keeping that book from hundreds, possibly thousands, of other patrons who would like to read it. The braille book you haven't returned might be the book a student must read for school. Wolfner doesn't charge for overdues; we just appreciate having the books returned. If you are a braille reader, take a moment to check your home for overdue braille books. If you find any, please return them to Wolfner Library.
Census 2000 - Stand Up and Be Counted!
The United States Census 2000 is coming. The census is a questionnaire that is sent to every residence in the United States. By completing your questionnaire, you help insure that your community and your needs are not forgotten. Census data is used to distribute millions of dollars for schools, hospitals, community centers, healthcare, childcare, and facilities for sick and disabled persons.
The questionnaire will arrive at your home during the month of March. The Census Bureau uses two different questionnaire forms. You will receive either a D-1 short form or a D-2 long form. The D-1 short form comes in an envelope about the size of half a sheet of paper and it contains a cover letter, a return envelope and a large piece of paper folded into thirds. The D-2 long form is in an 8½ by 11 envelope. Inside is a questionnaire booklet and a return envelope, also 8½ by 11.
If you need help in completing your census questionnaire, either have a relative, friend, neighbor, caregiver, etc. assist you or call: 800-471-9424. You can go to the census website www.2000.census.gov to complete the questionnaire, but be sure to have the ID code from your census form label available.
Information provided by Judy Redlich
Accessing Wolfner's Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC)
The instructions below apply only to computers running Microsoft Windows '95/'98/NT, which already have a telnet application loaded. With the myriad of computer systems and software available, we regret that we cannot provide instructions that will apply to every configuration our patrons may have. Free telnet software is available on the Internet. One such site can be found at http://www.tucows.com.
To search Wolfner Library's Online Public Access Catalog or OPAC, go to our web page at http://mosl.sos.state.mo.us/lib-ser/wolf/wolfhome.html and click on WLBPH Online Catalog (OPAC). This will take you to a page that looks almost identical to the previous one. Click on WLBPH OPAC and you will automatically telnet into the catalog. At the username prompt, type in WOLFPAC and the catalog will open and you can begin searching. If you want to reserve or request titles, you will need your patron I.D. which can be obtained by calling Wolfner Library. You can only reserve or request titles when searching by author, title, or subject, not when searching by keyword.
If you have problems accessing the OPAC please call Wolfner. We will try to answer your technical questions but may not be able to if you have a computer system unfamiliar to us.
Note: The OPAC is unavailable from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. most mornings. A backup program runs during this time.
Wolfner Advisory Council
The Wolfner Advisory Council is the library's voluntary consumer council. This group is charged with ensuring that our patron's voices are heard in matters dealing with the improvement and development of library services.
The Wolfner Advisory Council currently consists of 14 members. Each of the seven library network areas of the state are represented on the council. These areas are: Northwest Region, Kansas City Region, Southwest Region, Southeast Region, St. Louis Region, Northeast Region, and the Mid-Missouri Region. In addition, there is one representative from each of the following organizations on the council: Rehabilitation Services for the Blind, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, National Federation of the Blind (NFB), Missouri Council of the Blind (MCB), a physical disability organization, and two parent representatives.
The council meets four times per year at the Wolfner Library in Jefferson City. The agenda usually consists of a report by the Missouri State Librarian and is followed by a detailed report about Wolfner Library activities. Although policy is set by the Office of the Secretary of State--our administering agency--advice and comment is solicited from the consumers during the meetings to ensure that Wolfner Library is always striving toward our goal of providing the best library service possible.
If you, as a Wolfner patron, are interested in serving on the Wolfner Advisory Council, please call the library at 800-932-2614 and we will submit your name to the council when vacancies occur. We are grateful for the time and energy these volunteers invest in making the library accountable to its users.
From the Desk of Carol Mathews - Magazine Program Administrator
The magazines Missouri Conservationist and Missouri Resources are recorded at 1 7/8 speed, (the same speed as music tapes you can buy at the store) and will only play on a C-1 machine, (which has two speed settings: 1 7/8 and 15/16), or a commercial cassette player. They will not play on the E-1 (Easy Machine). The E-1 machine will only play tapes recorded at 15/16 speed.
If you would like to subscribe to either of these magazines, but don't have a C-1 player or commercial cassette player, we will be happy to exchange your E-1 player for a C-1 player. Please call Wolfner Library if you don't know which player you have.
Time Magazine Now Available in Large-Print
Time, a major newsmagazine, is now available from the publisher in large-print. The price is $79.97 for 54 issues. To subscribe to this special edition call: 800-462-0804.
Mention of a product or service in this newsletter does not constitute an endorsement by the library. Our intention is to increase awareness of programs and items which may be useful to our clients.
Summer Time is Reading Time!
What is your favorite summer activity? Fishing? Hiking? Swimming? Reading? Wait, did you say reading? Yes! Reading is a great way to beat the heat and unwind from all those other activities that fill our days in the summertime. You definitely want to reserve some time this summer for reading because Wolfner Library gives you two choices for summer reading club fun. If you like to read books at the elementary school level, you will probably want to join Turn Over a New Leaf: READ!, the club designed just for you. If you prefer to read books at the middle school and high school level, you may decide to join Book Your Summer, the club for readers of young adult books. The choice is yours--you decide.
The reading clubs are open to residents of Missouri who are registered users of Wolfner Library. The clubs are designed for children and teens from age 0 to 19. As always, we have some neat prizes for active readers thanks to the Friends of the Wolfner Library and the Library Users of Missouri.
If you are an adult who likes to read children's or young adult books, you may join in the fun, too, by having an activity packet and keeping a reading log, buy you will not be eligible for any prizes.
Look for your invitation in the mail later this spring. This is your challenge: turn over a new leaf and book some time this summer for reading!
Tax Relief for Missouri's Elderly and Disabled
Unofficially known as the Circuit Breaker program, The Missouri Property Tax Credit Claim is a property tax relief program for qualified elderly and disabled citizens. To qualify for the credit, you must:
- be 65 years of age or older as of December 31 of the previous tax year for which you are filing; and
- you must have lived in Missouri for the entire calendar year for which you're are filing the claim; and
- your household income must not exceed $25,000, or $27,000 if your filing status is "married, filing combined"; and
- you must have paid property tax on the residence or rent your home.
- If you are disabled, call the number below to see if you qualify.
For many senior citizens and persons who are disabled, income is fixed but property tax or rent continues to increase. Circuit Breaker eases this burden with an income tax credit or direct refund. If you qualify you can file any time, including for up to three years back (this current year plus two years earlier). You may also qualify for a tax credit of up to $200 on prescription drug expenses, (information about this credit is included on the tax form.)
If you would like a copy of the tax credit form, call toll-free 800-877-6881. Those who are speech or hearing-impaired can call TDD 800-735-2966 for assistance.
The Care and Feeding of Your Cassette Book Machine
- Never eat or drink where crumbs and liquids can fall into the machine.
- Never leave the machine outdoors or where humidity or temperature would be much different than the range you have in your home.
- Do not recharge your machine until it has exhausted its charge. Then, charge again fully before using.
- If your machine has automatically stopped itself, depress the play key so that the keys are returned to the starting or neutral position.
- If you feel the need to clean the playback head, use approved means for doing so. Radio Shack and other electronic stores sell cleaning and demagnetizer cassettes that take only a minute to do the job.
- If alcohol is recommended, it should be 90% isopropyl alcohol. The demagnetizer cassette, which removes the static electricity hum, should only be used with the volume turned off.
Information from Library Users of America
WOLFNER LIBRARY STAFF
| Sara Parker | State Librarian | sara.parker@sos.mo.gov |
| Lisa Sanning | Reference Librarian, Editor | |
| Nancy Doering | Youth Services Librarian | nancy.doering@sos.mo.gov |
| Bonnie O'Donnell | Administrative Aide | bonnie.odonnell@sos.mo.gov |
| Archie Andrews | Machines Coordinator | archie.andrews@sos.mo.gov |
| Ozzie B. Withers | Automation Coordinator | ozzie.withers@sos.mo.gov |
| Paul Mathews | Reader Advisor A-F | paul.mathews@sos.mo.gov |
| Ginny Ryan | Reader Advisor G-L | ginny.ryan@sos.mo.gov |
| Cheryl Hassler | Reader Advisor M-R | cheryl.hassler@sos.mo.gov |
| Carol Mathews | Reader Advisor S-Z | carol.mathews@sos.mo.gov |
Wolfner NEWS is a quarterly publication of the Secretary of State, Matt Blunt, and the Missouri State Library, Sara Parker State Librarian.
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
(CLOSED FOR STATE HOLIDAYS)
| Toll-free within Missouri | (800) 392-2614 |
| Jefferson City Area | (573) 751-8720 |
| Toll-free TDD | (573) 347-1379 |
| E-mail address | wolfner@sos.mo.gov |
| WWW Homepage | http://www.sos.mo.gov/wolfner |
ALWAYS contact Wolfner Library, 800-392-2614, when
your name, address, or telephone number changes;
your machine malfunctions or doesn't play properly;
your machine is lost or stolen;
your books stop coming;
you have a question about your service;
you need information on titles, subjects, or authors;
you want to request books or magazines;
you wish to have your services put on hold;
you wish to discontinue service;
you want statistics, research, or reference on any subject or topic.
Wolfner NEWS is available in large print, braille, or on cassette. If you would like to receive an alternate format, please call the library at 800-392-2614.
REMEMBER: WOLFNER LIBRARY BOOK LOAN PERIOD IS SIX (6) WEEKS