HourGLASS A newsletter for friends of the Georgia Library for Accessible Statewide Services Volume 4, Issue 4 - Fall 2017 www.georgialibraries.org/glass GLASS Locally Recording Books Story contains image of a smiling man in a recording studio. It is captioned "Volunteer narrator Richard Moultrie" Did you know that GLASS has a recording studio? The GLASS recording studio produces a range of recreational and informational materials of interest to GLASS patrons. The materials recorded are of local and regional interest and complement the National Library Service (NLS) collection. All books recorded at GLASS studio are available in BARD for download or upon request by patrons. The recording studio is located in GLASS Atlanta and is operated by a studio technician. All of our books are narrated by volunteers. There are almost 20 completed titles in our collection. A few books that we are particularly excited about are Mark Johnson’s I Love Today: A Story of Transformation where the author shares his story of living with disability and his role in the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act and War Like the Thunder Bolt: The Battle and Burning of Atlanta by award-winning author Russell Bonds that tells the story of the epic struggle for the city of Atlanta in the summer of 1864. We also have a selection of children’s books, inspirational books and mystery books including Straight as an Arrow by renowned Southern author and journalist Celestine Sibley. The selection of materials to be included in the GLASS local collection is the responsibility of the GLASS regional librarian. High priority is given to books written by Georgia authors, books set in or about Georgia and books with subject content relevant to GLASS readership. GLASS users are welcome to suggest titles for inclusion in the collection; however, a recommendation of a title does not guarantee GLASS will record the material. Books Recorded Locally By GLASS Note: Talking books beginning with DBC were recorded at GLASS Atlanta with volunteer narrators. These titles can be downloaded from BARD, or you can request them from your reader advisor. Titles on Bookshare were not produced by GLASS. And the Beat Goes On by Sheronda L. Barksdale (DBC08551). Thirty-four-year-old Jerman McCullough is a self-proclaimed ladies’ man. His mother takes care of him whenever he comes to visit, so being single doesn’t bother him at all. That’s until his father dies of a heart attack and his mother dies shortly thereafter. These traumatic events make him reconsider his misogynistic behavior. Also he discovers a family secret that crushes him to his core. Contains descriptions of sex and some strong language. Moment and Time by Steven Croft (DBC08556). Croft’s collection of poems creates various snapshots of his life through words. Some cover his time as a soldier in Afghanistan and Iraq, while others are as simple as a picturesque walk with his dog or a trip to watch his town’s high school football game. 30 Days of Inspiration: “From the Sideline” by Kim M. Martin (DBC05364). This short, inspirational book offers its readers a call to action. The daily thought-provoking nuggets challenge you to think outside the box, stretch beyond your limits and focus on living authentically. Luminous Mysteries by John Holman (DBC01289). Orphaned, outcast from their families and ill-suited to their limited circumstances, Rita and her brother Grim; his girlfriend, Butter; Rita’s lover, Lonnie; and the others nevertheless find ways to reach out to each other and, in doing so, discover a meaning in the madness of their lives in the New South. Some strong language. A Place at the Table by Susan White (DBC08554, On Bookshare). This book tells the story of three richly nuanced characters whose paths converge in a chic Manhattan cafe. Soon they realize they must sacrifice everything they ever knew or cared about to find authenticity, fulfillment and love. Some explicit descriptions of sex, some strong language and some violence. Choice Magazine Listening Choice Magazine Listening (CML) is a free audio magazine for adults with impaired vision or other disabilities. Four times a year, listeners can download or receive by mail 12 hours of stories and articles chosen from 100 magazines, including National Geographic, The New Yorker, Time, Vanity Fair, Harper’s, Smithsonian, Sports Illustrated, Scientific American, and The Atlantic. All CML’s selections are wonderfully read by some of America’s top audiobook narrators. GLASS patrons qualify for a free subscription, as do other individuals with conditions such as low vision, macular degeneration, blindness, MS, diabetes, cerebral palsy, ALS, dyslexia and Parkinson’s disease. Magazines arrive on a cartridge that works with your talking book player. They are returned in a postage-free mailer. If someone you know would enjoy this free service, call 1-888-724-6423 for more information or visit www.choicemagazinelistening.org. No Visuals Needed With Blindfold Games A visit to Apple’s App Store will bring up multiple titles from Blindfold Games. Their audio-based games are created for players with visual impairments but fun for anyone. The wizard behind the company is Marty Schultz. In 2014, Schultz taught programming to middle school youngsters, all eager to recreate hugely popular games. But he didn’t see the point of doing what had been done before. That’s when inspiration struck. Games for players who are blind presented a new approach to game design, accessing an eager yet underserved demographic. Voila! Blindfold Racer was born. “I don’t think it’s simply that the games exist and are accessible that makes the games popular,” says Schultz. “It’s that the testers, who are all visually impaired, as well as the fans, tell me how game(s) should be enhanced, and I listen.” The game count -- which includes everything from Blindfold Euchre to Blindfold Air Hockey to Blindfold Feud (think Family Feud) -- is 50+ and growing. Download any of the games for free in the App Store. Donating to GLASS We appreciate those who wish to donate to GLASS. The University System of Georgia’s secure online portal at https://www.usg.edu/give can be used to make donations to GLASS. For gift designation on the form, select “GLASS Fund.” Those preferring to give by check can visit our website’s Donations link for donation details or call GLASS for information. Call 404-235-7157 to request this newsletter in alternate formats. Join our email list at: hourglass@georgialibraries.org HourGLASS is published quarterly by the Georgia Libraries for Accessible Statewide Services (GLASS), a division of Georgia Public Library Service, a unit of the University System of Georgia. This publication is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to Georgia Public Library Service under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act. Georgia Libraries for Accessible Statewide Services 1800 Century Place, Suite 150 Atlanta, GA 30345 Toll Free: 1-800-248-6701 Fax: 404-235-7201 www.georgialibraries.org/glass