2017 Midlands/Northern Conference: Today's Vision: Tomorrow's Reality

Ann Arbor, MI, June 6-8

All conference sessions were held onsite at the Ann Arbor District Library
Host: Terry Soave, soavet@aadl.org, (734) 678-2750

Pre-Conference Tour: Monday, June 5, 2017


Library of Michigan Tour
Michigan's Regional: Braille and Talking Book Library Tour

Karen Keninger and Jimmy locked in the equipment cage at MI1A with a ransom note taped to the wall. The note was created with magazine letters and words to mimic notes as seen in old movies. “Dear NLS, We have your employees locked up in the MI1A equipment cage. We demand 250 DA1 machines be shipped overnight to Lansing Michigan in exchange for their release. Do not contact law enforcement, especially the FBI. This is for real!!!!! We mean business.” Ship to BSBP, Braille and Talking Book Library, 702 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing, MI 48917 “Free Matter for the Blind and Physically Handicapped” Thank you for your gift!!Close-up of caged Karen with ransom note.MI1A Braille & Talking Book Library tour: Betsy Branch is seated behind the public service information desk, with Scott Norris in front talking to the group.MI1A Braille & Talking Book Library tour: group checking out the public services area.MI1A Braille & Talking Book Library tour: circulation and machine processing area.MI1A Braille & Talking Book Library tour, group picture outside the front of the building (left to right): Sue Chinault, Steve Prine, Pat Schotzbarger, Karen Keninger w/Jimmy, Michael Lang, Annette Toews, Tim West, Sarah Willeford, Linda Vincent, Abbey Rimel, Richard Smith, Vickie Collins, Leslie Heinzler, Jackie Conner, Leslie Bowman, and John Owen.

Tuesday, June 6, 2017


Image of the outside of the conference welcome packet. MN Logo "Midlands/Northern Libraries Serving the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Today's Vision Tomorrow's Reality. 2017 Conference Ann Arbor, Mich.Image displaying the contents of the welcome packet fanned out on a counter top. Includes: chocolates, tiny tote, name tag, schedule, roster, restaurant guide, map of Ann Arbor, list of local nightlife/micro-breweries, Ann Arbor City Guide magazine.
PDF: 2017 Midlands / Northern Conference Agenda
Conference Roster
Restaurant Guide

Google Docs: Conference notes and photos shared by Vanessa Verdun-Morris and Sarah Roe

9:15 AM: Welcome and Roll Call of the States

10 AM: Mass Digitization of Books and the Potential for Universal Access Presented by MICHAEL FURLOUGH, Executive Director, HathiTrust
VIDEO On-Demand
PowerPoint: Mass Digitization of Books and the Potential for Universal Access

Massive-scale digitization of books and ambitious cooperative library projects have begun to transform access for users who are print disabled. Much remains to be done, however. Looking back to the start of mass digitization, Mike Furlough will offer a short history of the HathiTrust digital library, its services for users with print disabilities, its legal battles, and prospects for future services.

10:45 AM: Library Services to People With Print Disabilities - Today and Tomorrow Presented by KAREN KENINGER, Director, NLSBPH, Library of Congress, and Chair, International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Section on Libraries Serving Persons With Print Disabilities
VIDEO On-Demand
PowerPoint: Library Services to People With Print Disabilities - Today and Tomorrow

11:40 AM: Spark! Advocating for Libraries Presented by GAIL MADZIAR, Executive Director, Michigan Library Association

1:15 PM: NLS and Multi-State Center East Updates and Q & A Presented by VICKIE COLLINS, Head of Network Services Section, NLSBPH, PAMELA DAVENPORT, Network Consultant, NLSBPH, and JACKIE CONNER, Vice President, Multi-State Center East, JOE BALLARD, Director, Multi-State Center West, STEVE PRINE, Assistant Chief, Network Division, NLSBPH, RICHARD SMITH, Chief, Network Division, NLSBPH
VIDEO On-Demand
NLS and MSC Panel (left to right): Richard Smith, Steve Prine, Joe Ballard, Jackie Connor, Pamela Davenport, Vickie Collins

2:15 PM: NLS Standards Revisions Presented by EURA SZUWALKSI, Project Director.
VIDEO On-Demand
PowerPoint: NLS Standards Revisions

The revision of the 2011 Standards and Guidelines of Service for the Library of Congress Network of Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped is scheduled for completion in Fall 2017. There have been a number of significant changes in the operation of Network Libraries and in the development and use of new technologies. The revised draft represents a new approach to the Standards and Guidelines for Network Libraries.

3 PM: Spark! Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired Presented by MARYBETH KULLEN, Outreach Coordinator, Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind & Visually Impaired

3:15 PM: NLS Tech Updates and Q & A Presented by NEIL BERNSTEIN, Research and Development Officer, NLSBPH
VIDEO On-Demand
PowerPoint: NLS Tech Updates

4 PM: Regional Meetings

4:45 PM: Open Forum with KAREN KENINGER, Director, NLSBPH
VIDEO On-Demand

Wednesday, June 7, 2017


8:30 AM: Every Child Ready to Read Braille and Large Print Edition Presented by CARRIE SCOTT BANKS, Supervising Librarian, Inclusive Services, Brooklyn Public Library; ASCLA Board of Directors
VIDEO On-Deman
Google PowerPoint: Every Child Ready to Read Braille and Large Print Edition

Every child deserves the opportunity to learn to read. Help children who are blind and with low vision get ready for school. Early learners need options, including braille and large print. Their parents need information. It all starts @ your library.

9:25 AM: Spark! Michigan's Demo Centers Presented by STEPHANIE WAMBAUGH, Outreach & Youth Librarian, Braille & Talking Book Library, Lansing, MI

9:30 AM: Braille & Early Literacy Panel Moderated by SUE CHINAULT, Regional Librarian, Braille & Talking Book Library, Lansing, MI; panelists include SHELLEY ROOSSIEN, LBPH Librarian, Kent District Library LBPH, Wyoming, MI, BRIANA ALBRIGHT, Readers Advisor, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, LBPH, Pittsburgh, PA, JILL ROTHSTEIN, Chief Librarian, Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library, New York, NY, KIM CHARLSON, Director, Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library, Watertown, MA
VIDEO On-Demand
Prezi Slides: Braille & Early Literacy Panel

Panelists will discuss early braille literacy programs, information resources, awareness kits, strategies, and assistive technology and braille display resources and programs.
Braille & Early Literacy Panel: Sue Chinault, Shelley Roossien, Brianna Albright, Jill Rothstein, and Kim Charlson.

10:45 AM: Speed Networking With Discussion Starters Two heads are better than one! The best tips come from your colleagues, so join this round robin to meet your fellow attendees and discuss issues, highlights, and tricks we're all thinking about – in 3 minutes each

Conversation starters:


Long table with the following people (front to back) talking one-to-one across from each other: Carrie Banks with Leslie Heinzler, Neil Bernstein (caught smiling at the camera) with Michael Lang, Eric Hone with Karen Keninger (hard to see who this is exactly) and Kim Charlson, Chris Boynton with Annette Teows, Maggie Ansty with Michelle Wisniewski, can't make out the people at the end.Long table with the following people (front to back) talking one-to-one across from each other: Mark Lee with Tim West, Mary Orth with Devon Evans, Steve Prine with Shelley Roossien, John Owens with Scott White, Joe Ballard with Vanessa Verdun-Morris, Faith Wormsbacher with (can't make out who), Chancey Fleet with (can't make out who).Long table with the following people (front to back) talking one-to-one across from each other: Abbey Rimel with Leslie Bowman, Linda Vincent with Laura Williams, Mary K. Davis with Kathleen Nuss, (can't make out who) with Stephanie Wambaugh, there are more, but can't make them out.Long table with the following people (front to back) talking one-to-one across from each other: Vickie Collins with Gordon Reddick, Sheila Miller with (can't make out who), Will Reed with Nancy VerBurg, there are more, but can't make them out.

11:45 AM: LUNCH: Zingerman's Classic Bag Lunch provided onsite courtesy of Keystone Library Automation Systems (KLAS) and hosted by MITAKE BURTS, Vice President of Products & Technology

1 PM: Iowa's 5 & Dime Approach: Using an ILS to Tear Down Walls and Build Accessibility Presented by SARAH WILLEFORD, Library Director, Iowa LBPH, TIM WEST, Digital Recording Specialist/Studio Manager, Iowa LBPH, LESLIE HEINZLER, Special Services Librarian, Iowa LBPH

VIDEO On-Demand Note: Due to privacy concerns, this video is not being posted publicly, but it is available to NLS network library staff. If you are a staff member of a NLS network library and would like to view and/or listen to this presentation, please email wlbpd@aadl.org and we'll send you a link.

1:55 PM: Spark! National Federation of the Blind Presented by SCOTT WHITE, Director of NFB-NEWSLINE® at the National Federation of the Blind

2 PM: Small Groups With Discussion Starters Choose the discussions that interest you most and join your peers for 3 rounds of 15-minute discussions on the great path ahead. Topics will include:

  1. Hindenburg and the Audio Studio
  2. ILS Nitty-Gritty: Patron-Centered Cartridge Options, Subject Cataloging, and Ratings
  3. Working Well With Others: Bookshare, Newsline, and Other Complimentary Services
  4. Assistive Technology Coaching: Best Practices, Favorite Tools, and Apps for Independence
  5. Youth Services
  6. Adult Programming: Innovations and Hits (click here for notes)
  7. In and Out: Outreach Campaigns (Including People With Physical Disabilities and Reading Disabilities)
  8. Advocating for Accessibility and Inclusion in the Larger Library Community and World

Image of Secret Lab with four small groups talking. Closest table includes: Sarah Roe, Carrie Banks, Joe Ballard, Will Reed, Jill Rothstein, and Annette Toews. Can't make out people around other three tables.Image of Secret Lab with four small groups talking. Closest table includes: John Owen, Tracy Grimm, Katie Monkiewicz, Michelle Wisniewski, Pat Schotzbarger, and Chancey Fleet. Neil Bernstein is seen preparing for the next session. Back table to left includes: Beth Manuel, Barbara Shipman, Shelley Roossien, Faith Wormsbacher, Sue Chinault (standing), David Smith, Paula Smith, Stephanie Wambaugh, and Sheila Miller. Back table to right includes: Richard Smith, Ira Lax, Devon Evans, Eric Hone, and Vickie Vogt.Close up image of table including: Beth Manuel, Barbara Shipman, Shelley Roossien, Faith Wormsbacher, Sue Chinault (standing), David Smith, Paula Smith, Stephanie Wambaugh, and Sheila Miller.Image of Multi-Purpose Room with four small groups talking. Closest table includes: Mark Lee, Donna Calvert, Jasmyne Lewis-Combs, Karen Keninger, Steve Prine, Kim Charlson, Scott White, Vanessa Verdun-Morris, and Tammy Albee.

3:15 PM: Tech Talk & Maker Spaces: Hands-On Demos & Free-From Discussion Multiple stations will be set-up for hands on demos and Q & A. Swell Form Machine presented by ERIC HONE, Service Integration Lead, LBPH, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Arduino and 3doodlers, presented by CHANCEY FLEET, Assistive Technology Coordinator, and JILL ROTHSTEIN, Chief Librarian, Andrew Heiskell BTBL, New York, NY. 3D Printing presented by STEVE TEERI, Library Technician IT/Secret Lab, Ann Arbor District Library. NEIL BERNSTEIN, Research and Development Officer, NLSBPH.
Image of a laptop open showing 3D printing software application in action next to a small 3D printer actively printing a tiny tote days prior to the conference.Close up image of two 3D printed tiny totes with Secret Lab logo inset (blue tote with white handle on left, green tote with white handle on right).Image of two tiny totes (blue tote with white handle on left, green tote with white handle on right) in front of a WLBPD@AADL black and white normal sized tote bag (for scale).Neil Bernstein's "station"(from right to left): Orbit Reader 20, HumanWare Victor Reader Stream, 2nd generation, HIMS Blaze EZ, PlexTalk Pocket, Remote for Dolphin Guide Reader Pod (he Pod is the small black box with a blue light on the back table, and its display is on the monitor), APH BookPort DT, Amazon Echo, BARD Express (on laptop).Eric Hone's Swell Form "station": Lue Moran (left) holding up a swell form image of Lake Michigan, next to Eric Hone (right).Eric Hone's Swell Form "station" (left to right): Richard Smith, Chris Boynton, and Eric Hone)Eric Hone's Swell Form "station": Terry Soave (on left) feeding a sheet of swell form paper into the machine with Eric Hone (on right)Eric Hone's Swell Form "station": crowd gathered around station.

Thursday, June 8, 2017, 8 AM - 12:30 PM


8:30 AM: User Group Meetings

9:45 AM: Staff Training on Disability Awareness, Etiquette, and Accessibility, A Panel Presentation Facilitated by SUE CHINAULT, Regional Librarian, Braille & Talking Book Library, Lansing, MI. Panel members JILL ROTHSTEIN, Chief Librarian, Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library, New York, NY, SCOTT NORRIS, Adaptive Tech Librarian, Braille & Talking Book Library, Lansing, MI, DEVON EVANS, Patron Services Manager, Carnegie Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped, Pittsburgh, PA, and MARK SACHON, Recording Studio & Volunteer Services Coordinator, Carnegie Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped, Pittsburgh, PA
VIDEO On-Demand

Google Slides: Staff Training on Disability Awareness, Etiquette, and Accessibility
PowerPoint: Staff Training on Disability Awareness, Etiquette, and Accessibility

Close up of Staff Training Panel (left to right): Scott Norris, Jill Rothstein, Devon Evans, and Mark Sachon.
Panel members will share their experiences in training library staff of the needs and expectations of patrons who have a disability. Will answer the questions: Why provide the training?, What challenges were encountered?, What outcomes were achieved?, and What resources were used?

10:45 AM: Energize Your Recording Volunteers: Tips for Producing MAGAZINES in the Digital Talking-Book Format Presented by CHRIS MUNDY, Quality Assurance Specialist, Multi-State Center East
VIDEO On-Demand
Outline provided by Chris Mundy: "Energize Your Recording Volunteers: Tips for Producing Magazines in the Digital Talking-Book Format"

Chris Mundy gesturing while giving his presentation from the podium.

11:30 PM: Closing Remarks

Remote Access

"The Matts": AADL staff member #1 Matt G. sitting in front of several monitors in the video control room keeping things running smoothly.Live Stream controls panel.Live Stream screenshot of YouTube page showing the number of people logged on remotely as 13.
The live feed is being edited and marked up and will be made available for viewing on YouTube channel “AADLdotORG. We will notify you when it's available.

If you accessed the live feed during the conference and haven't already done so, please let us know by emailing wlbpd@aadl.org.

Planning Committee

Email: A2-2017@aadl.org

Terry Soave (MI1B), Midlands Secretary/Host Site Chair
Will Reed (OH1A), Midlands Chair
Sue Chinault (MI1A), Midlands Vice Chair
Scott Norris (MI1A), Midlands Treasurer
Sharon Ruda (IL1A), Midlands Immediate Past Chair
Kim Charlson (MA1A), Northern Chair
Katie Monkiewicz (a.k.a., Katie “Monk”) (MI1B), Midlands
Vanessa Verdun-Morris (MI1N), Midlands
Jill Rothstein (NY1A), Northern
Tracy Grimm (OH1A), Midlands
Mark Lee (PA2A), Northern
Devon Evans (PA2A), Northern