[CT-NFB] FW: Email received yesterday concerning Library For The Blind and print disabled

Sat Oct 9 13:40:01 UTC 2021

The library is moving  to I think to  Middletown

From: CT-NFB <ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Jen via CT-NFB
Sent: Friday, October 8, 2021 10:25 PM
To: ct-nfb at nfbnet.org
Cc: Jen <spiderweb1 at sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Re: [CT-NFB] FW: Email received yesterday concerning Library For The Blind and print disabled

Can anyone please shed light on why the library is closing? It just seems too sudden and rushed to me. Thanks.

On Friday, October 8, 2021, 10:20:03 PM EDT, Jen <spiderweb1 at sbcglobal.net <mailto:spiderweb1 at sbcglobal.net> > wrote: 

Lucky you! "Charlotte's Web" will always be my favorite movie, too. The one from 1973. The corny songs the animals sing make it even better. And as for being a kid - I love popping bubble plastic, magnets, and stitches. Squee!

On Friday, October 8, 2021, 10:14:07 PM EDT, Esther Levegnale <elevegnale at sbcglobal.net <mailto:elevegnale at sbcglobal.net> > wrote: 

I loved Charlotte's Web as well. As a matter of fact, I read it again several months ago! Am I still a kid or what? Ha ha! Esther

Sent From Esther's Amazing and Awesome iPhone 7+!

On Oct 8, 2021, at 6:38 PM, Jen via CT-NFB <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org <mailto:ct-nfb at nfbnet.org> > wrote:

Does anyone know if the library will be selling or giving away books? My personal, and eternally favorite, book, is "Charlotte's Web." I remember ordering it for the first time and having the hardest time sending it back as a fourth-grader. I would love it back.

On Friday, October 8, 2021, 05:41:10 PM EDT, Jen <spiderweb1 at sbcglobal.net <mailto:spiderweb1 at sbcglobal.net> > wrote: 

I would like to give a special shout-out to the great former librarian and reader advisor, Mary Minnow. Her voice always carried a gentle smile, and she was great at what she did. Once, I asked her if a book needed to be returned by a certain time, and she said I could keep it as long as I wanted and complimented me on my sense of responsibility.

On Friday, October 8, 2021, 05:37:58 PM EDT, Esther Levegnale <elevegnale at sbcglobal.net <mailto:elevegnale at sbcglobal.net> > wrote: 

This whole scenario is very sad.  I've always loved going to the library and I enjoyed the camaraderie between all of us who met there.

Esther

Sent From Esther's Amazing and Awesome iPhone 7+!

On Oct 8, 2021, at 11:17 AM, Jen via CT-NFB <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org <mailto:ct-nfb at nfbnet.org> > wrote:

Personally, I am deeply disappointed in this closure. I've been a loyal NLS patron for years. I agree with all concerns listed here. There need to be reader advisors as well, something which was not cited in these concerns.

On Friday, October 8, 2021, 11:06:30 AM EDT, Elizabeth Rival via CT-NFB <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org <mailto:ct-nfb at nfbnet.org> > wrote: 

Hi, I also believe it important for our members to give us your opinions. Thank you Beth 

From: Deb Reed <deb.reed57 at gmail.com <mailto:deb.reed57 at gmail.com> > 
Sent: Friday, October 08, 2021 7:47 AM
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Subject: Email received yesterday concerning Library For The Blind and print disabled

Central Chapter Members,

I thought it important to copy and paste the below email to you ahead of Saturday’s meeting, so that you could digest it and formulate any comments you wish me to pass on to Diane Weaver Dunne and the committee. Also as a sidenote, please bring your own beverage to the meeting, thanks!

Good afternoon Deb:

I hope this email finds you well.  In addition to heading up CRIS Radio, I also am a member of the State Library for the Blind and Print Handicapped Advisory Committee.  During the past several months, a decision was made to close the LBPH in Rocky Hill and move remaining staff to a state library facility in Middletown. This coincided with sending the library’s audio book collection to the National Library Service’s regional center in Washington, D.C.;  previously the LBPH’s Braille Book collection was sent to NLS’s Utah facility.  Currently, the move to Middletown facility is on hold.

The diminishment of an on-site book collection for people who are blind or print handicapped, as well as the relocation to the Middletown facility absent a direct para-transit system concerned the LBPH Advisory Committee, which we shared with the new State Librarian and with State Sen. Cathy Osten.

Sen. Osten asked that we reach out to members of other organizations that represent people who are blind or print handicapped and ask them to also identify what they think is needed for our community in terms of a state Library for the Blind and Print Handicapped.  

Our committee’s concerns are listed below:

1.   LBPH should be located in a central location in the state, preferably in Hartford because it is located in a public transportation hub in the state.

2.   LBPH must be accessible for all abilities, preferably located on one floor.

3.   DOT Policies need to be changed to provide affordable, direct paratransit to the library from locations throughout the state.

4.   There should be an on-site collection of Braille and audio books made available for weekday check out by patrons, similar to access made available in town libraries.

5.   State needs to purchase its own on-site collection of Braille and audio books to prevent loss of collection due to NLS decisions;

6.   Increased staffing is necessary to meet the needs of the blind community, including a LBPH director and appropriate number of reader advisors;

7.   LBPH needs to meet specific needs of Veterans who are blind.

8.   Address concerns regarding the USPS announced slow-down of mail and its impact on receiving books in a timely manner.

Barbara Blejewski, chair of the LBPH Advisory Committee, and I would be most appreciative to hear any comments/concerns/suggestions from members of the NFB chapter that you head up as well.  If you are able to reach out to your members, please send us their thoughts and concerns about the LBPH. Many thanks.

Best,

Diane

Sincerely,

 Deb Reed

Central CT Chapter President 

National Federation Of The Blind

Phone - 860-973-3679 

Cell-860-378-5370

Email - deb.reed57 at gmail.com <mailto:deb.reed57 at gmail.com> 

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