<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)">
<style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#0563C1;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#954F72;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body lang="EN-US" link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Looking for an easy programming idea this winter that would take very little staff time? Louis Braille was born January 4, 1809, and to celebrate his legacy the
<b>whole month of January has been declared Braille Literacy Month</b>! Why not set up a braille station for your patrons?
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">The Braille and Talking Book Library can send Braille Alphabet cards that feature the letters a-z to use for this exercise (while supplies last, see the attached photo for a
visual of the card). All your library will need to do is purchase a couple slate and stylus’ and set them out at your library with basic instructions on how to use the Braille Alphabet card as a reference. I have attached the instructions we used when hosting
this program for World Sight Day this past October. Feel free to copy these and edit as you see fit. This program is truly great for kids and adults alike—it is a short and fun exercise that educates the public on the basics of braille.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">If you are interested in receiving any of the Braille Alphabet cards, please email me back directly off-list. Included below is also a link to purchase a slate and stylus, however
it may be possible to find one cheaper if you shop around. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">The Braille and Talking Book Library is a free service made possible through the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled. Patrons do NOT have to be blind to
use our audio book service, and we have over 100,000 books available! For more information, please visit our website at
</span><a href="http://www.michigan.gov/btbl"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">www.michigan.gov/btbl</span></a><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Public Libraries can support our program by becoming Demo Sites. We would send your library a talking book player, applications, and other promotional materials and your location
can use those materials however works best for you. BTBL currently has over 160 Public Library locations working with us as Demo Sites! Contact me for more information.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lines-Cells-Braille-Writing-Plastic/dp/B07SVYSRWP/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=braille+slate+and+stylus&qid=1576168731&sr=8-4">https://www.amazon.com/Lines-Cells-Braille-Writing-Plastic/dp/B07SVYSRWP/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=braille+slate+and+stylus&qid=1576168731&sr=8-4</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Thank you!
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Stephanie Wambaugh<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Reader Advisor, Outreach & Youth Librarian
<br>
BSBP Braille & Talking Book Library<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">P.O. Box 30007<br>
702 W. Kalamazoo St.<br>
Lansing, MI 48909-7507<br>
<br>
1-800-992-9012 /</span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#44546A">
<a href="mailto:wambaughs@michigan.gov"><span style="color:blue">wambaughs@michigan.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:#44546A"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>