GLS News A newsletter for friends of the Georgia Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled https://gls.georgialibraries.org Volume 11, Issue 3, Fall 2023 A message from GLS Director Kristin White As GLS Director, I was ecstatic to represent our agency and patrons at the 2023 American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference. Over 15,000 information professionals from around the world converged on Chicago from June 22nd through 27th. Everyone networked, feted, and reunited with old and new colleagues and friends in what was for many their first face-to-face ALA conference of the post-Covid era. As a member of the Advisory Team appointed to produce the next iteration of the Revised Standards and Guidelines of Service for the Library of Congress Network of Libraries for the Blind and Print Disabled, a publication currently scheduled for release in 2024 by the American Library Association Press, much of my time in The Windy City was spent in meetings related to that project. A special "thank you" goes out to Joseph McNeil Sr., a valued Georgia patron and National President of the Blinded Veterans Association, for participating virtually in this very important process. GLS Outreach Librarian Brandi Robertson and I both attended the Public Hearing for the Standards on Sunday afternoon, so I thank her for taking time away from her busy conference schedule to sit in on this part of the discussion. The revised standards document will serve as the nationwide blueprint for talking book libraries in the years to come, and we are very excited that Georgia was afforded the opportunity to have an impact from administrative, staff, and user perspectives. The most impactful part of my conference attendance came when I was not only able to spend a few moments with NLS Director Jason Broughton but to also speak with our esteemed Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden. While both conversations were brief and in passing, Dr. Hayden once again dropped me a few inspiring jewels of wisdom and Director Broughton reinforced to me the importance of us all working together to ensure "that all may read." My hope is "that you all read" and that all our patrons had a fantastic GLS Summer Reading Program summer. Our entire staff was dedicated to facilitating your participation as a patron, and we look forward to fete-ing our Grand Prize readers in the waning days of the season. Tech Talk: join the conversation Are you interested in learning about adaptive technology for the blind? Would you like to be more independent in your daily life, at school, or at work? Then come join our fun and informative technology discussion group, Tech Talk! We meet virtually via Zoom on the second Tuesday of each month, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. Call the library at 800-248-6701 and ask about this interactive and life-enhancing program. We are always happy to welcome new members. Free equipment and training from iCanConnect For people with significant combined vision and hearing loss, getting the right communications equipment and learning to use it is essential to quality of life. Now, individuals who meet disability and income guidelines can apply to iCanConnect to receive the equipment and training they need at no cost. iCanConnect, also referred to as the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program, is a nationwide initiative funded by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). iCanConnect works through local contacts to help people stay connected with friends, family, their community, and the world. Each U.S. state and territory has a certified organization that administers the program locally. Every eligible applicant for iCanConnect services receives a personalized assessment to identify solutions to support their distance communication needs. Each participant is then provided with equipment and training that fits their specific situation. Examples of equipment might include smartphones, tablets, computers or laptops, large print screen magnification software, and refreshable braille devices. Georgia Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (GCDHH) is responsible for iCanConnect services in Georgia. Contact GCDHH with any questions by email at info@gcdhh.org, by phone at 888-297-9461 (toll free), or by mail at 2296 Henderson Mill Rd NE #115, Tucker, GA 30345. You may request an application in English (regular print, large print, or braille), or in Spanish or Portuguese (print). For other inquiries about the program, visit The National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (iCanConnect) on the web at www.icanconnect.org or call 800-825-4595 (toll free). Don't miss our recurring programs on Zoom: * Tech Talk - Monthly: Second Tuesday, 10 a.m.-12 noon * Peer Support Group - Monthly: Third Wednesday, 2-4 p.m. * For Grown Folks Only Book Club - August, September, October: Second Wednesday, 2-4 p.m. 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. Visit https://gls.georgialibraries.org/newsletter to subscribe to GLS News and to read current and back issues. Call 800-248-6701 to request this newsletter in alternative formats. 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/