GLS News A newsletter for friends of the Georgia Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled gls.georgialibraries.org Volume 10, Issue 2, Summer 2022 Building community with GLS Peer Support Group On the third Wednesday of each month, a group gathers on a conference call to share experiences, discuss engaging topics, and listen to notable speakers. The GLS Peer Support Group provides a space to build community among individuals who experience vision impairments. Led by GLS Atlanta Assistant Manager Vanessa Meadows, the Peer Support Group is an open forum that often features guest speakers covering a wide range of topics. The Peer Support Group meets via conference call to ensure the meetings are accessible and open to individuals throughout Georgia. Linda Mitchell, who has been a part of the group since it started in 2017, enjoys the variety of speakers offered. Some of her favorites include the founder of iBUG, a nonprofit organization that provides accessible technology training, and the GLS Reader Advisors who share information on GLS resources like Bookshare and BARD. “It’s a wonderful thing for the newly blind all the way up to those of us who have been blind for a long, long time. It keeps us supported and informed as to what new things are out there on the horizon,” said Linda. “It is a nice camaraderie.” Brigitt Dozier also enjoys the speakers, particularly two recent guests. JoAnn Johnson, who is visually impaired, shared some of her techniques for daily living skills such as cooking. Bill Brown, from Music for the Blind, offers music lessons for more than a dozen different instruments, all taught “by ear,” without the use of print, video, or braille. Brigitt hopes to learn how to play the guitar. Brigitt began attending during the COVID-19 pandemic, and she likes the convenient and accessible conference call setting. She says the support group is a welcoming and helpful environment where “everybody helps each other with their problems. You may have a problem and you can ask someone there who can help you out.” Brigitt encourages people to “come in and listen, you don’t have to say anything. And then you hear people talking and it will get you to talking about whatever is on your mind.” The Peer Support Group is a community where individuals who are blind, low vision, or experiencing vision loss can find information, resources, and emotional support for greater independence and quality of life. Family members of those affected by vision loss are also welcome. For more information about the next Peer Support Group meeting, call 800-248-6701 toll free. Get ready for summer reading with GLS Mark your calendar and plan on joining us for two months of summer reading fun for all ages. The theme is “Oceans of Possibilities,” and GLS staff are planning an inclusive program to engage children, teens, and adults through independent reading, reading activities and interactive programs. It all starts Wednesday, June 1 and runs through Monday, August 1. There will be goodies for all who participate, and one person in each of the three age groups will win a grand prize at the end. The child and teen winners will each receive an iPad, and one adult will win a $200 Publix gift card. Look for updates and details on the 2022 GLS Summer Reading Program in the coming weeks. Information will be posted on the GLS website at gls.georgialibraries.org. Call GLS at 800-248-6701 toll free to register or to ask any questions about the program. We are grateful to the USG Foundation for assistance in funding this year’s GLS Summer Reading Program, and in turn we thank all of the GLS patrons and supporters who continue to make GLS-designated donations to the Foundation, year after year. Meet the GLS Atlanta staff Did you know that the answers to all your questions about everything GLS has to offer are just a phone call away? The GLS library facility, located inside the Fulton County Library System’s Central Library building in downtown Atlanta, is staffed by an outstanding team of professionals. GLS Atlanta staff are trained to help you with the devices and services available to every GLS member, as well as to provide traditional library reference and readers’ advisory assistance. Starting with this issue of GLS News, we are featuring GLS Atlanta staff members one or two at a time, highlighting these individuals and the breadth and depth of knowledge they bring to the job. Beverly Williams Manager, GLS Atlanta Beverly manages the daily operations of GLS, ensuring that all services are running smoothly. She tracks and reports important usage data and statistics, but also gets to do fun things like running book clubs and assisting patrons on the telephone with book requests and book recommendations. The best part of Beverly’s job, she says, is getting to work with a team of smart, creative, and caring people who work diligently to serve our patrons every day. Beverly has worked for GLS for more than 20 years. We look forward to introducing you to more GLS Atlanta staff members in the Fall 2022 issue of GLS News. Donors' corner Your donations are appreciated. Please make checks payable to the USG Foundation and write GLSBPD on the memo line. Mail checks to: GLS Atlanta, One Margaret Mitchell Sq., NW, First Floor, Atlanta, GA 30303. Call 800-248-6701 to request this newsletter in alternative formats. Join our email list at: glsnews@georgialibraries.org GLS News is published quarterly by the Georgia Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (GLS), 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 Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled Director: Kristin White Toll Free: 1-800-248-6701 Fax: 404-657-1459 https://gls.georgialibraries.org