NewsLion Extra

Thanksgiving

2009-11-17T15:00:00.001-05:00

The library will be closed Thursday, November 26 for Thanksgiving. You may still leave messages on the library's voicemail, 212-206-5400 and 212-206-5425.

Feminine Shorts

2009-11-17T14:57:00.002-05:00

On Thursday, November 19th, at 4:00 p.m., narrators from the library's Audio Book Studio will read "Paul's Case," a short story by Willa Cather. The program will take place in the first floor community room.

Columbus Day

2009-10-05T10:40:00.002-04:00

The library and all branches of The New York Public Library will be closed on Monday, October 12th in observance of Columbus Day. You may still leave VoiceMail messages and staff will respond as soon as possible after the holiday. Be sure to speak clearly and give your name and phone number.

Upcoming Programs at the Library

2009-10-05T10:39:00.000-04:00

Film Screening, Saturday, October 10 at 2:00 p.m.
A short film by Adam Linn.

Digital Machine Workshop, Tuesday, October 27 at 2:00 p.m.
A demonstration on how to use the library's new Standard and Advanced Digital Talking Book Machines.

BARD Download Workshop, Saturday, November 7 at 2:00 p.m.
Patrons with an internet connection and a digital Talking Book Machine will be shown how to download Talking Books from the National Library Service's Braille and Audio Reading Download website.

Digital Audio Book Download Service from NLS

2009-09-03T12:01:00.003-04:00

For users of the National Library Service's BARD system, NLS has sent out the following announcement:

The BARD service will be unavailable from 8:00 PM EDT Friday, September 4,
2009, through noon Saturday, September 5, 2009, for equipment maintenance.

This outage is a part of a larger Library of Congress maintenance
activity. All Library of Congress data systems and web sites will be affected,
including the NLS web site, the NLS catalog, and the Web Braille service. All
times are approximate.

Our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause you. This
maintenance is required in order to bring you more reliable service in the
future.

Patrons with a new Digital Talking Book player who also have computer access may register for this service at the NLS Bard website.

Making Memory Boxes Workshop

2009-09-03T11:57:00.001-04:00

Workshop: Making Memory Boxes

Tuesday, September 8 at 2:00 p.m.

Come celebrate your memories, and make your own memory box to bring back home with you. Some suggestions for memories to bring:

photos
small objects with special meaning
favorite recipes
special pictures, cards or letters

Boxes and art supplies will be provided.

Labor Day Weekend

2009-08-31T09:38:00.002-04:00

The library and all branches of The New York Public Library will be closed from Saturday, September 5 through Monday, September 7, 2009. You may leave messages on the library's Voicemail system by calling either 212-206-5400 or 212-206-5425. Please be sure to speak clearly, give your name, address, and a phone number where you can be reached.

Independence Day

2009-06-29T09:55:00.002-04:00

The library will be closed from Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5, 2009 for Independence Day. You may still leave Voicemail messages by calling 212-206-5400 or 212-206-5425. Please be sure to speak clearly and give your name. If you want someone to call you back, be sure to leave a phone number. Enjoy the holiday!

PAWS Online Catalog

2009-06-03T16:48:00.002-04:00

The PAWS Online Catalog will not be available the morning of June 4, 2009 while an upgrade to the software is installed. It should be back online in the afternoon. Please contact the library if you need assistance, at 212-206-5400. We're sorry for any inconvenience.

City Budget Cuts

2009-05-08T11:52:00.003-04:00

The Mayor's Budget proposes cuts to New York City's libraries. The New York Public Library is faced with over $57 million in budget cuts and needs your help.

At risk:

Six- and seven-day service
Job search resources
Thousands of programs for children and much, much more...

While the Andrew Heiskell Library is primarily state funded, as well as receiving funds from other sources and has its talking books and braille collections provided by the federal government, the cuts will affect our services and staffing.

Write now to ensure the future of your library by letting the Mayor and your City Council Member know how important New York's libraries are to you. If you can use an online form, NYPL has made one available for you to email your City Council Member on its Take Action webpage.

Online Registration for “Owning Your Future” at VISIONS

2009-04-27T14:26:00.006-04:00

VISIONS Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired has added an online registration form for its upcoming 3rd Annual Employment and Technology Institute.

The registration form is available here: http://www.esight.org/forward.cfm?pid=317

For more information, our original post about the event is here: http://talkingbooks.nypl.org/blog/2009/04/save-date-visions-3rd-annual-employment.html

Save the Date: AEB Third Biennial International Conference on Multimodal Approaches to Learning

2009-04-24T11:31:00.002-04:00

Announcing an event of interest to Andrew Heiskell Library users:

Art Beyond Sight: Multimodal Approaches to Learning
An International Conference

Co-sponsored by Art Education for the Blind and The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Friday and Saturday, October 16 and 17, 2009

Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York City

Art Education for the Blind (AEB) and The Metropolitan Museum of Art invite students, educators and art professionals to the third biennial international conference on multimodal approaches to learning. The conference will address the challenges faced by educators, artists, museum professionals, architects and designers to create learning opportunities and inclusive learning environments to serve all audiences, and to meet the needs of learners with sensory impairment or those who use different learning styles.

The conference will showcase best practices in classroom and museum education, as well as pioneering approaches to learning, exhibition and program design. The multidisciplinary plenary sessions will feature art historians, anthropologists, curators, neuroscientists, new media and Universal Design experts, architects and educators, who will present their diverse perspectives on disability, the senses, art and education.

Registration: If you wish to have the official registration form emailed to you, please call AEB at (212) 334-8723 or send your name and email address to: aeb@artbeyondsight.org with “October Conference” in the subject line.

Art Education for the Blind (AEB) is not affiliated with the Andrew Heiskell Library, and information on this conference is provided solely as a service to our community. Please contact AEB for more information.

Save the Date: VISIONS 3rd Annual Employment and Technology Institute

2009-04-24T11:07:00.008-04:00

Announcing an event of interest to Andrew Heiskell Library users:

“Owning Your Future”
VISIONS Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
3rd Annual Employment and Technology Institute

7-Day Conference
Wednesday, July 22 - Tuesday, July 28, 2009
or
Intensive Technology Weekend
Friday, July 24 - Sunday, July 26, 2009

This opportunity for adults (18+ years of age) who are blind or visually impaired, offers workshops and seminars by professionals, a Technology Expo with hands-on demos of the latest in assistive technology, and an opportunity to relax and reflect at VISIONS Vacation Camp for the Blind (VISIONS VCB).

VISIONS VCB is a 35-acre residential rehabilitation and training center in Rockland County, which features a private lake, a ramped, heated swimming pool, self-guided nature trail, library, recreation lounges, wireless internet connection and an adaptive computer center.

Seminar topics include:

Benefits: “Does It Pay to Work?”
The Economy: “Getting More Bang for Your Buck”
Advocacy: “Stand Up and Be Counted”
Social Networking: “Profit by Connections”
Career Growth: “Investing in Yourself”
Technology: “A Wealth of Options”

What is the cost?
The suggested minimum contribution (which includes lodging, meals and transportation) is $75.00 for 7-day Institute and $50.00 for Technology Weekend.

How Do I get there?
Roundtrip bus transportation will be provided from Visions at Selis Manor at 135 West 23rd Street, to VISIONS VCB and back.

Online Registration Form:
http://www.esight.org/forward.cfm?pid=317

For more information:
Call Blindline at 888-625-1616 or email institute@visionsvcb.org

Visions Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired is not affiliated with the Andrew Heiskell Library, and information on this conference is provided solely as a service to our community. Please contact VISIONS for more information.

General Update

2009-04-16T15:09:00.002-04:00

Thank you for your patience while this blog was undergoing technical difficulties and no new posts could be published. We're now making up for lost time.

You can read or listen to our Annual Report for 2007-2008.

Spanish for Beginners

2009-04-16T14:43:00.002-04:00

Introduction to Spanish
Friday, May 8, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Learn and practice Spanish in real-world conversations and scenarios. No previous knowledge of Spanish is required. The classes will meet in the library’s first floor meeting room. Registration is required.

Learn MS Word

2009-04-16T14:41:00.000-04:00

Introduction to MS Word 2003
Thursday, May 21, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Hands-on instruction using wireless laptops. This class will meet three times, and will be held in the library’s first floor meeting room. Registration is required. Be sure to let us know when you register, if you need to use MAGic or JAWS. A working knowledge of the computer keyboard is expected for participants in this class.

Upcoming Art Programs

2009-04-16T14:02:00.004-04:00

Art Education for the Blind at the Andrew Heiskell Library
Explore the rich art and culture of our city with these unique, free programs which take place in the library’s first floor meeting room. Registration is required.

Introduction to New York Beyond SightTuesday, May 12 at 2:00 p.m.
Introduction to African InstrumentsTuesday, June 9 at 2:00 p.m.

9/11 Commemoration Concert

2008-08-25T13:23:00.002-04:00

On Thursday, September 11, at 12:30 p.m., the Andrew Heiskell Library will host a piano recital by Gila Ducat-Lipton.

Upcoming Program on Retinal Disease

2008-08-25T13:17:00.002-04:00

The New York City Chapter of the Foundation Fighting Blindness cordially invites you to attend our next General Meeting and Educational Seminar:

"I Have A Retinal Disease. What Should I Do Now?"

- Guest Speaker -
Howard F. Fine, M.D., HMSc
Medical Director, Gerstner Clinical Research Center
Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons

Using a patient-centered approach, Dr. Fine will explain:

How to get the most out of your retinal visit
Retinal Diseases
Imaging

Time: 2 pm to 4 pm (Check-in at 1:30 pm)
Date: Saturday, September 13, 2008
Location: Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library, 40 West 20th Street, New York, NY 10011
RSVP: Sabrina Chueh at (212) 244-1470 or SChueh@FightBlindness.org

Labor Day Closing

2008-08-25T13:15:00.002-04:00

The library and all branches of The New York Public Library will be closed from Saturday, August 30 through Monday, September 1, 2008 for Labor Day. You may still call and leave messages and we'll take care of your requests as soon as possible after the holiday. Be sure to speak clearly, give your full name, and leave a phone number.

Summer Reading Club Celebration

2008-08-20T16:21:00.003-04:00

Just a reminder that the party to celebrate the end of this year's Summer Reading Club will be held on Saturday, August 23rd, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. There will be activities, music, door-prizes, and snacks.

I Love My Librarian Award

2008-08-20T16:15:00.003-04:00

The Carnegie Corporation of New York and The New York Times have joined with the American Library Association to launch "I Love My Librarian" annual awards as voted by library users to recognize outstanding librarians across the United States. For more information or to nominate a librarian, you may visit the I Love My Librarian website.

Program Canceled

2008-07-30T09:15:00.002-04:00

The performance by Vivian Rivera, scheduled for Saturday, August 2, has been canceled. We regret any inconvenience this may cause.

The next concert will be on Saturday, August 9 at 2:00 p.m. when Philomel's Song Chamber Duo will perform.

Upcoming Concert

2008-07-16T09:47:00.001-04:00

"Minetta Creek Bluegrass Band": Lonesome tunes and bluegrass classics sung to banjo, guitar, fiddle, and flute on Saturday, July 19 at 2:00 p.m.

Upcoming Programs at the Library

2008-07-10T14:33:00.003-04:00

Book Discussion Group, Saturday, July 12 at 11:00 a.m.
Como Agua para Chocolate by Laura Esquivel (RC 37694) will be discussed in Spanish. This book contains some descriptions of sex. Call the library at (212) 206-5400 or or email to register.

"Hot Fun in the Sun": Vocalist Grace Garland performs jazz standards on Saturday, July 12 at 2:00 p.m.

"Jitter Bugs," a Reading/Craft program for children 4-12 years old, will be held on Thursday, July 17, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.