HourGLASS A newsletter for friends of the Georgia Library for Accessible Statewide Services Volume 6, Issue 1 - Winter 2018 www.georgialibraries.org/glass GLASS Atlanta Hosts Open House On September 20, 2018 GLASS Atlanta celebrated our new facilities with an open house. About 75 attendees came to the open house, including patrons, State Librarian Julie Walker, employees of Georgia Public Library Service, and GLASS staff. The special guest and opening speaker was Georgia’s First Lady, Sandra Deal. A supporter of libraries and of childhood literacy, Mrs. Deal stood in front of our display of children’s print/braille books and spoke about the importance of reading, specifically to children, and of serving Georgians with disabilities. The date of the open house was also near Constitution Day, which is September 17. To celebrate, Daughters of the American Revolution member Judy Dyer brought a braille copy of the US Constitution for attendees to read. A tactile American flag allowed attendees to feel the strips of the flag while reading the pledge in braille. [Photo caption] First Lady Sandra Deal speaks in front of a Constitution Day display with State Librarian Julie Walker. [Photo caption] From left to right: GLASS Director Pat Herndon, Mrs. Deal, and Julie Walker. [Photo caption] Mrs. Deal meeting a GLASS patron. Obituary Former GLASS Director Stella Cone We’re sad to share that former GLASS Director Stella Cone passed away last Thursday, Sept. 13 after her battle with liver disease. Stella had a long history of serving people with disabilities. For over ten years she was Head of Disabilities Services with North Dakota State Library. In 2006, her continued work with talking book libraries led her to Georgia where for more than a decade she served, mostly as the director of GLASS. She strove to support people with print impairments, forming bonds with local, statewide, and national organizations to further her work. Upon her retirement in 2016, she received a plaque of appreciation from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped for her almost 25 years of service. State Librarian Julie Walker joined in the presentation of the award. Marrakesh Treaty Implementation Act Signed We appreciate the work of Stella, and will miss her as our colleague, friend, and advocate for people with disabilities. Marrakesh Treaty Implementation Act Signed In October President Trump signed the Marrakesh Treaty Implementation Act. The implementation of this act should allow increased and easier access to copyrighted books in countries who have signed the Marrakesh Treaty. The Marrakesh Treaty, which was adopted by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2013, requires adopting countries to make copyright allowances for the creation of accessible books such as books in audio, braille, and electronic versions. The copyright allowances by the participating countries make it easier to adapt material for eligible individuals with disabilities. The United States joins over 40 countries who have agreed to this treaty, expanding access to accessible reading material in the United States and in the rest of the world. The passing of the Marrakesh Treaty and the push in the United States for implementation of the act is the result of years of hard work by activists and advocates fighting for increased access to copyrighted works. Project Independence: Resource for Seniors Are you 55 or over? Is your vision changing? Do you have difficulties with daily living skills? Project Independence, the Georgia Vision Program for Adults age 55 and over may be able to help you. Contact Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency for assistance at 844-367-4872. You can also email Kay McGill at kay.mcgill@gvs.ga.gov or call her at 770-414-3006. GLASS Oral History Project Are you a GLASS patron or eligible to be a GLASS patron? Would you like to share your story as someone with a disability? We’d love to talk with you! The GLASS Oral History Project: Our Stories, Our Lives is in its beginning stages, and is being undertaken as a joint project with the Russell Library, a part of the University of Georgia Libraries, Special Collections. For more details, call 404-235-7157 and leave a message, or you can email sirvin@georgialibraries.org. Books About Happiness Note: Talking books begin with DB. Braille titles begin with BR. You Can Buy Happiness (And It’s Cheap): How One Woman Radically Simplified Her Life and How You Can Too by Tammy Strobel (DB75531, BR019659, On Bookshare) A simple-living blogger gives advice for reducing reliance on material possessions, using time effectively, and recognizing the power of simple pleasures. Covers managing debt and creating a meaningful work life. The Mayo Clinic Handbook For Happiness: A 4-Step Plan For Resilient Living Amit Sood; Mayo Clinic. (DBC02865, On Bookshare) This book combines wisdom from neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, and spirituality to help you learn to be happy and to choose contentment. Happy For No Reason: 7 Steps To Being Happy From the Inside Out by Marci Shimoffi; Carol Kline. (DB66372, BR017746, On Bookshare) The authors present a seven-step, holistic approach to finding lasting happiness. Happiness is a Choice You Make: Lessons From a Year Among the Oldest Old by John Leland. (DB90123, BR022290, On Bookshare) A journalist interviews six men and women, all over the age of eighty-five, who share the importance of focusing on enjoying all one still can do. Dr. Burns’ Prescription for Happiness by George Burns (DB21211, On Bookshare) Humorous anecdotes, one liners, and personal observations by the octogenarian comedian. Donate to GLASS GLASS appreciates monetary donations which can be used to serve patrons across Georgia. Donations made to the USG Foundation and designated for “GLASS Fund” are used to support GLASS programming. For detailed information on monetary donations, visit www.georgialibraries. org/glass/donate. 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. Call 800-248-6701 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 Toll Free: 1-800-248-6701 Fax: 404-657-1459 www.georgialibraries.org/glass