News

Vision Resource Center Specialist

Michele Willman only started working in the Vision Resource Center at NDVS/SB in mid-May, but when you meet her, you may think she’s been a librarian her entire life. Since she’s started, she’s made many improvements to the library, from setting up attractive new displays to cleaning up online library records that will make her colleagues’ and patrons’ lives easier. Michele, who had spent most of her career working in higher ed, is a natural fit in this position. “I had been interested in shifting from teaching to library for awhile and had been browsing job boards looking for library positions that I was qualified for,” she said. “I happened across the job ad for the VRC Specialist and I’m so glad the stars aligned like they did.” Her colleagues at NDVS/SB are glad too! Read on to learn more about Michele.

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There are some exciting new tech devices on the horizon from the American Printing House for the Blind (APH). Read on to discover how APH is changing the way students who are blind or low vision read text, decipher graphics, and learn – today and into the future.

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by Emily Stenberg Brown
Director of Vision Resource Center

If you like to read, I hope you have been participating in our monthly Book Club during the We Care Wednesday Coffee Chat Zoom calls. NDAB President Trampes Brown and I have been leading a book discussion on the first Wednesday of every month for a year now. Our group has read a variety of genres, and I hope we have read something for everyone. We have discovered it’s impossible to pick a book everyone will like, but there’s nothing wrong with reading a book that pushes you a bit out of your comfort zone. There is something to be learned from every book, even if it’s simply “I don’t like that author/style/book.” 

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North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind is committed to the continuation of wholistic Adult Services during the Coronavirus Pandemic! Although some of our services may have changed in appearance, they have not changed in heart or ability to meet the needs of our clients. 

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If you’re anything like me, you are tired of hearing the phrase “due to COVID-19.” We have been forced to change so many things in our lives “due to COVID-19,” and reading is no exception. I realize that reading is not a life or death matter, but it is important, and libraries provide vital services to communities. Reading does indeed improve the quality of life, and I know that reading is a necessary part of many of your lives, like it is for mine. However, many libraries are closed to the general public, and that has forced many people to change their reading habits. But there are still many ways to access books, and this is a perfect time to try out some new ways of reading. Here are 7 ways to access books during this pandemic.

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Lately, in the Braille Access Center I’ve been creating stick-in braille to assist with a new set of interactive books being made by our Region 4 Coordinator Sandy Brandt. NDVS/ SB has purchased two copies of the 25 book Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Williams which will have braille and other interactive elements added. This is the beginning of a tactile library the literacy team is creating, starting with where our TVIs have found gaps for students.

Have you visited a library lately? Libraries today are much different than they were 50, 15, or even 5 years ago. Libraries are redefining themselves and become community hubs, instead of “just” book repositories.

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