WASHINGTON TALKING BOOK AND BRAILLE LIBRARY FY15
OUR MISSION
THE WASHINGTON TALKING BOOK & BRAILLE LIBRARY builds community and provides equal access to information and reading materials for Washington residents unable to read standard print.
We are proud of the library services we provide, including training and technology instruction, high-quality local production of audio and braille books, a vibrant youth services program, and community support through audio production of the state Voters’ Pamphlet and partnerships with agencies serving similar populations. Without your continued and generous support, financially and with your time spreading the word, advocating, and volunteering, we wouldn’t be able to provide the extent of services that we offer.
Contributions allow us to innovate and push ourselves. We were one of the first four regional libraries to have our locally produced audio books become part of the BARD download site, allowing NLS patrons anywhere to read our books. We have a very popular pen pal program for children and teens that supports reading and writing skills, and forms connections with other kids around the state who may share similar experiences.
Our volunteers give nearly 16,000 hours of work a year, essentially increasing our capacity by the equivalent of eight full-time employees. Patron Advisory Council members contribute in many ways, including disseminating brochures and making connections in their communities.
Overall, your support contributes to one of the best services for people unable to read standard print in the country. Thank you for all you do.
-Danille Miller
WE SERVE THOSE WHO:
Are blind
Have a visual impairment
Have a physical condition that makes holding a book and turning pages difficult
Have a reading disability
Your support contributes to one of the best services to people unable to read standard print in the country.
“WTBBL is a vital part of the Office of Secretary of State and our overall efforts to work for the residents of Washington.”
Kim Wyman, Secretary of State
In 1931, after the passing of the Pratt-Smoot Act by the United States Congress, WTBBL became one of the first regional libraries in the United States serving the blind and physically handicapped. The Library of Congress created the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) to facilitate nationwide service. Initially serving Washington, Montana, and Alaska, WTBBL now exclusively serves Washington, but provides interlibrary loan and book sharing services with the other 55 regional libraries. NLS provides the core of our collection, including all playback equipment and accessories. Under NLS, WTBBL’s service is administered under many federal regulations and standards including circulation and eligibility policies. Within Washington, WTBBL is a program of the Washington State Library, which administers state and federal funding for operations, allowing WTBBL to provide services beyond the requirements of the NLS program. WSL and the Office of the Secretary of State also allow us to connect with many more organizations throughout the state.
The Washington Talking Book & Braille Library continues to provide meaningful services for its patrons, school and teacher accounts, and many other organizations throughout the state. WTBBL is a vital part of the Office of Secretary of State and our overall efforts to work for the residents of Washington.
WTBBL is a the only library in Washington whose core focus is to help ensure that library services are accessible to all residents who are unable to read standard print by connecting people with the books, information and resources desired. WTBBL staff go the extra mile to make these connections for all who are eligible for its services and programs.
I thank the hundreds of donors who collectively gave more than $210,000 to WTBBL in 2015. On behalf of our WTBBL patrons, we are grateful. These generous gifts, which include matched gifts from companies, patron bequests and individual gifts from patron and non-patron donors, allowed WTBBL to maintain its high standard of service. For instance, a portion of WTBBL donation funds support a youth services program, greatly expanding the literacy programming and braille materials available to children and teens. Your donations make a real difference! – Kym Wyman, Secretary of State
This Annual Report not only recognizes our many donors, but also provides an in-depth look at WTBBL, the people it serves, its challenges and goals for the future. We hope you enjoy this report. Your financial support helps WTBBL do wonderful things. Thank you so much!
CORE SERVICES
NLS AUDIO & BRAILLE MATERIALS
Books in braille and audio, spanning many genres and age ranges, are sent to WTBBL on cartridge or embossed braille for circulation and available on BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) for download. Magazines in audio and braille can be accessed on BARD or mailed directly from NLS. Music scores and instructional materials in braille and audio are also a direct service by NLS.
WTBBL Produced Audio and Braille Books
Books produced at WTBBL typically focus on Northwest subjects or books by Northwest authors. Books outside that scope are produced to help supplement the national collection and meet patron demand. Titles are available on cartridge, in embossed braille, and by download from BARD.
DOWNLOADABLE BOOKS
Audio and web-braille books and magazines are available on BARD for download. Downloaded books can be read on an NLS talking book player, a number of commercial devices, or with an app for iOS, Android, and Kindle platforms. While 44 percent of our patrons do not have access to a computer or the Internet, WTBBL is committed to providing equitable service. We will continue to provide books by mail and duplicate copies of books as necessary to meet demand. We will not allow any WTBBL patron to get lost in the digital divide.
YOUTH SERVICES
We provide books and materials are in all formats for children of all ages, from toddlers to teens, for home and school. We offer a by-mail summer reading program, varied programs and events for children and their families, and an accessible children’s room with toys, books, and places to read and play. We support and offer activities with a focus on pre-literacy, early literacy, and braille literacy. For example, our sponsorship of the National Braille Challenge, activities and writing programs, and more.
READER ADVISORY AND REFERENCE SUPPORT
Wetailor our services to each patron to help ensure the best service possible, regardless of reading format, genre preferences, or access to technology. Our staff works hard to support all of our patrons and deliver the books they want in the format they want.
WTBBL SPOTLIGHT
Staff Spotlight – Youth Services
Marian Mays
Marian Mays has always had a passion for working with children of all ages, which led her to become a youth librarian. Marian worked in public libraries before landing at WTBBL. Marian loves youth literature and is a current member of the Youth Stonewall Award Committee of the American Library Association. On an average day, you can find her planning creative youth programs, chatting with parents and students, or providing outreach services to Washington schools. Watch out for great activities for kids from birth through teens happening at the library and remotely.
Patron Spotlight – Youth Services User
Trammell Johnson
At only 7 years old, Tramell reads extremely well at a third-grade level, reads all the time, and loves every minute of it. “I like the library because it is organized, nice, and the place the books are kept is epic! I love reading because each book is a surprise. Reading helps make me smarter and grows my imagination. You can depend on the library to give you books and if it wasn’t here I would feel sad.”Tramell’s grandma, Sherry, who he calls mom, is extremely proud of him. WTBBL helps keep her connected, empowers Tramell, and is instrumental in her becoming the parent she wants to be.
Patron Spotlight - Spanish Language Audio Book User
Ada Oller
With the variety of audiobooks and excellent public service provided by WTBBL my days of boredom have been forgotten. I entertain myself by listening to my books, which I receive by mail. I thank the audio books program and the kind people who make this possible!
Volunteer Spotlight – Narrator
Gregg Porter
Gregg Porter, a former WTBBL Evergreen Radio Reading Service broadcaster, rejoined WTBBL as a volunteer several years ago. His career in radio extends back 40 years, and he is currently the weekend announcer for an NPR-affiliated news and information station at the University of Washington, KUOW. He also acts with a local radio-theater ensemble, plays Hawaiian music for hula dancers throughout the region, and helps organize and leads gatherings of local ukulele players. Gregg has been the voice on several books about music, local history, children’s stories, reports, and voters’ guides.
Supporter Spotlight
Jan Ames
Jan Ames, former director and longtime donor, supporter and friend of WTBBL was recently recognized by a group of staff, former staff, volunteers and patrons by the naming the WTBBL conference room the Jan Ames Meeting Room. Jan has been an integral part of WTBBL for many decades and we’re proud to have a piece of our library named after her.
“The service you and your organization provide is a true gift for those who have extremely limited vision. Thank you all for your wonderful service! I have very much benefitted from your work, care, and offerings to us patrons.” – B.B.
The Braille System, like the English language, is constantly evolving. This year we have new braille symbols, new braille formats, and new rules for transcribing literary material, general textbooks, and even music. These changes stem from the nation-wide adoption of Unified English Braille (UEB), the system used in most other English-speaking countries. The challenge for braille readers, proofreaders and transcribers is learning all of those new symbols!
WTBBL BY THE NUMBERS
FY15 Collection & Ciculation Stats
9,270 active readers
529 deposit collections
257 school accounts
319,778 total circulation
74,573 BARD downloads
1,700 new patrons
380,292 physical items in collection
72,540 books available for download on BARD
18,000 phone calls
8,000 visitors
16,000 volunteer hours
A Common Misconception is that libraries are less relevant because everything is available online. Of course not everything is online and libraries are and will remain an integral part of society. For people unable to read standard print, the value and availability of our libraries is as critical as ever. Access, delivery time, and portability of books have improved with technology. NLS BARD affords greater independence, immediate access to books, and eliminates issues related to speed and reliability of traditional postal delivery. New NLS books are added to BARD, and simultaneously, fewer hard copies are provided for circulation. This creates a service gap. Nearly 44% of WTBBL patrons are without internet access. Age, extremely high unemployment rates in the blind community, and fixed incomes all contribute to the inability of many to afford the technology needed to access BARD. Because of this digital divide, a significant number of patrons lack access to full library services. Insufficient physical titles paired with the inability to download requires dedicated action in order to ensure no patrons are left behind. WTBBL works hard to address service inequities and provide the best personalized service possible.
Reaching Out
Did you know you can help spread the word about WTBBL? We’ve heard we are one of the “best-kept secrets.” Knowing there are so many eligible residents, from children to seniors, we don’t want to remain a secret! We have outreach materials including, but not limited to, brochures, bookmarks, braille alphabet cards and “Read” posters.Request a packet of materials and then have fun. You may know eligible people who could benefit from our service, have clubs you belong to, or places you frequent that may be great places to leave materials. (Poster in your public library?) Tell people about us and help spread the word! Contact us today for your outreach packet. We also love opportunities to talk about our service. If you have suggestions for groups or venues in your area, please let us know.
Funding Sources
Donor gifts are an important and integral source of funding for our library. We depend largely on donor gifts to help provide extended services to our patrons, for outreach, and adding materials to our collection. Last year, donor gifts helped WTBBL fund our youth services program as well as add needed materials such as new books for production, braillers and necessary technology. None of this could have been accomplished without the help of all of our donors.
Thank you for your support and keeping our organization strong!
$210,900 Donor Funds
$315,207 Federal Funds
$967,223 State Funds
Changing Formats
We are in the final stages of the elimination of the cassette books from our inventory, and are removing them from our shelves to create space for our growing digital and braille book collections. This is an exciting project, especially for our shipping department. Helping with this transition is Volunteer Coordinator David Junius who has been busy booking different volunteer group events to help take on this massive project. It’s a very fun and active time in Shipping!
“It’s almost like getting a Christmas present every few weeks in the mail. It’s nice to know there are still people out there who care about others.” – Jeffrey
“My years working at WTBBL were enjoyable, not only because I felt that the work here truly made a difference to and was appreciated by so many wonderful citizens throughout Washington State, but also due to the camaraderie of being a part of a handful of dedicated employees, a team that was happy to work alongside each other towards a clear and common goal under circumstances that could be difficult at times. It’s a highlight of my week to be a valued piece of the organization once again, in a completely different role.”
- Volunteer Gregg Porter
“I’m a quadrepeligic and have had to spend a great deal of my life in bed. The talking books are my companion a lot of the time, sometimes putting me to sleep. I am unable to hold a book, which is why talking books are so important to me – to enjoy so much and learn so much.”
– Ken
Did You Know?
The most circulated digital talking book last year was Second Watch by J.A. Jance (DB 78719)
All the books circulated by the library in 2015 would stand over 20,500 feet tall – enough to reach the top of the Capitol dome in Olympia 71 times!
Stacked in a cube, the library’s FY15 circulation would take up the same volume as about 250,000 venti cups of Starbucks coffee.
“Thanks for the use of this wonderful digital player. He and I have learned may new things, reviewed a number of old memories, and traveled to countless faraway places…” - David
“I love reading with my 5 year old daughter. It’s a great way to end the day and be present with her.” - Parent of a patron
Thank you! To our amazing donors who gave between July 1, 2014 and June 30th, 2015!
IN MEMORIAM
THAT ALL MAY READ
Washington Talking Book and Braille Library
2021 9th Ave., Seattle, WA 98121-2783
206-615-0400
1-800-542-0866
wtbbl.org