Visually Impaired Volunteer

Barbara, This is a great question! What about having them read to children or adults or participate in assisting or leading a discussion group such as a book club or ESL Group? Jaema ----- Original Message ----- From: barbara@milanlibrary.org To: michlib-l@mcls.org Sent: Wed, 17 Jun 2015 12:19:52 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Michlib-l] Visually Impaired Volunteer <html><body><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua; color:#000; font-size:12pt;"><div>Hello All!</div><div><br></div><div>We've had an offer of volunteer time starting this fall by a significantly visually impaired person. We'd love to take her up on her interest and enthusiasm but are struggling to identify tasks that might be suitable. She mentioned answering phones, but our phone traffic isn't that substantial and most calls require checking a the catalog or a patron's circulation record. </div><div><br></div><div>Any experiences with this or brilliant ideas to pass along will be much appreciated!</div><div><br></div><div>Thanks,</div><div><br></div><div>Barbara<br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Barbara Beaton</span></div><div><span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;"><span style="color: #000000;">Assistant Director/Reference Librarian</span><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Milan Public Library</span></div><div><span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">151 Wabash St.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Milan, MI 48160</span></div><div><span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">(734) 439-1240</span></div><div><span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><b><br></b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><b><img id="sigimg0" title="signature image" dfsrc="cid:sigimg0@85075d6790cdac0e0dc94d873647d116" src="/service/home/~/?id=81025&part=1.2&auth=co" alt="" border="0" height="93" width="123"><br></b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><b><br></b></span></span></div></span></body></html> -- Jaema Berman Director Addison Twp. Public Library 1400 Rochester Rd. Leonard, MI 48367 Phone: 248-628-7180 Fax: 248-628-6109 http://www.addisontwp.michlibrary.org “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.” Margaret Fuller 1810-1850 Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested. ~ Francis Bacon

Barbara, I know your question has already generated quite a response, but if you are still in need of suggestions please feel free to contact us directly at the Braille and Talking Book library. Depending on the technology skills of your volunteer, they would be able to do anything your sighted staff could do as far as phone and computer/reference work. Do your work stations have a screen reader program already? Jaws is a very common program, but there are also free applications such as NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA) that can be downloaded. And of course, there are non-technology related duties that would be appropriate as well. Have a great day! Stephanie Wambaugh Reader Advisor, Outreach & Youth Librarian BSBP Braille & Talking Book Library P.O. Box 30007 702 W. Kalamazoo St. Lansing, MI 48909-7507 From: michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org] On Behalf Of barbara@milanlibrary.org Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2015 12:20 PM To: michlib-l@mcls.org Subject: [Michlib-l] Visually Impaired Volunteer Hello All! We've had an offer of volunteer time starting this fall by a significantly visually impaired person. We'd love to take her up on her interest and enthusiasm but are struggling to identify tasks that might be suitable. She mentioned answering phones, but our phone traffic isn't that substantial and most calls require checking a the catalog or a patron's circulation record. Any experiences with this or brilliant ideas to pass along will be much appreciated! Thanks, Barbara Barbara Beaton Assistant Director/Reference Librarian Milan Public Library 151 Wabash St. Milan, MI 48160 (734) 439-1240 [cid:image001.jpg@01D0A9D4.2A4F37E0]
participants (3)
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barbara@milanlibrary.org
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Jaema Berman
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Wambaugh, Stephanie (LARA)