THE SPEAKER
FRIENDS OF LIBRARY ACCESS, INC.
FALL 2021
Below is an updated list of Board Members. Officers’ positions are noted after the Board Member's name:
Board members
The Friends of Library Access, Inc. receives no government support.
We are a nonprofit corporation, and count on individuals, such as you, to become members of Friends of Library Access, Inc.
Your annual dues and generous donations enable the Friends to assist the Braille and Talking Book Library in providing equal access to information needed for independence, education, employment, and pleasure to Floridians who are print impaired.
Since its inception in 1992, the Friends has helped the Bureau of Braille & Talking Book Library continue its service of excellence through key equipment purchases and community awareness activities. We have also sponsored annual volunteer appreciation luncheons throughout the years, providing awards for their invaluable service.
In addition to membership in the Friends, we gratefully accept donations, grants, gifts of cash, and bequests.
Memberships and donations may be sent to:
Friends of Library Access, Inc.We thank you for your generous support.
The Friends is managed by a Board of twelve trustees, who are elected for three-year terms by the membership. Each November, four seats are open for election. Board meetings are open to anyone interested, and are held quarterly on the 2nd Saturday of February, May, August, and November. All meetings are held via telephone conference, except for our November meeting where those that can, meet in person. Please consider serving on the Board by submitting your name and a brief letter stating your experience, expertise, and goals as it pertains to the Friends. Letters of Interest may be submitted by email: Paul Kurtz, phktrumpet@gmail.com, or in print or Braille and mailed to the Friends at: Friends of Library Access, Inc. P.O. Box 10716 Daytona Beach, FL 32120 Note: You must be a member of the Friends for at least one year, and have attended at least one quarterly board meeting, before you can apply for a board position. For more information, contact the chair of the Nominating Committee: Paul Kurtz at 904-388-1192, or email phktrumpet@gmail.com
Kori King has volunteered at the Braille and Talking Book Library since April of 2011, and has worked as much as possible, despite pandemic restrictions. Kori was born in Miami, but attended school in several other communities, including the Georgia Academy for the Blind through fifth grade, and spending the next five years in public schools in Jacksonville and Oklahoma City. She graduated from Florida School for the Deaf and Blind. Kori then attended the University of Florida, and has a Bachelor of Health Sciences Degree in Rehabilitation Services. In general, Kori feels that she received a good education in both public and residential school programs. Kori worked part time as a proofreader at the University of Florida. For about eight months, while living in Colorado, she worked as a phone reservationist, referring people to lodging and giving information about national parks. She used a computer and Braille materials to perform this job. She also did some transcription work. Kori attended a couple of training sessions at the DBS Rehabilitation Center in Daytona Beach, and spent some time at the Louisiana Center for the Blind, sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind. She has lived independently in Ormond Beach since 2008. Kori's job at the library involves reading Braille numbers and titles to be sure that book cartridges are in the corresponding cases. She also places stickers on new cartridges. Kori works about 15 hours a week, and has received certificates at our yearly Volunteer Appreciation luncheons in recognition of the number of hours she has worked. Kori enjoys socializing with the other volunteers, and looking for new books to read. Kori's hobbies include attending a monthly church-sponsored social activity, reading, music, and using phone messaging and chat systems. She is becoming more comfortable using her iPhone and iPad. In October of 2019, Kori went on a trip to Ireland with a group of blind people. She met people from all over the country, and stated it was a memorable experience. Kori, we appreciate your commitment to the Braille and Talking Book Library. Congratulations on your spirit of independence, and we wish you continued success with your various activities.
Allen Bornstein – It all started With Helyn
Allen first became interested in aiding the blind due to his wife Helyn, who suffered from Diabetic Retinopathy. Even though Helyn passed on from cancer, Allen continued to maintain his dedication to assisting the blind and visually impaired. When Allen was present, there was no mistaking him. Everyone knew he was there as you could never miss his powerful voice bellowing through the room, and he was not shy about saying whatever was on his mind. One of the things he would say often was, “If it will help the blind, then we need to do it.” He served as past President of the PALS support group for the Center for the Visually Impaired, past President and Treasurer of the (CVI) board, and provided tireless hours of service to the National Federation of the Blind where he also served as Treasurer, and was very instrumental in many fundraising activities. He was also the Treasurer of the Blinded Veterans, along with serving on the board for the Friends of Library Access where he was Treasurer and Chair of the fundraising and finance committees. In addition, he would also provide transportation to those who needed it from time to time to doctor’s offices and other places. Allen passed away in October of 2020, and although he is no longer with us, his memory lives on. He was a special person, and will be missed greatly by many.
How would you like TO READ the newspaper with your morning cup of java? Well, now you can! The NFB of Florida is proud to offer you National Federation of the Blind Newsline®, a program sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind of Florida and a grant from the Florida Division of Blind Services. Many seniors have lost enough vision that reading the daily newspaper is no longer possible. Now, once again, they can enjoy being able to participate actively in community affairs. NFB Newsline gives subscribers access to newspapers, emergency weather updates, television listings, job ads, Target store ads, many magazines, and 14 Florida newspapers. Over 40 magazines, ranging from the arts, sciences, health and fitness, pop culture and national and International news are also available. In addition, there are multiple access methods such as the telephone, computer, NLS Talking Book player, hand-held reader, and the iPhone. NFB Newsline has well over 300 publications and it's still growing. Four Spanish-language newspapers are available to all subscribers. The service handles thousands of phone calls each day for individuals across the country. This also enables those who cannot read conventional print to have access to all content offered on NFB Newsline when traveling throughout the United States, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. NFB Newsline of Florida has an experienced and dedicated staff of marketers and volunteers waiting to help you. To reach Russ Davis, Coordinator for NFB Newsline of Florida, or any of the other incredible staff members, (Wendy, Sheri or Paul), just call 1-844-827-7371 and select the staff member you'd like to reach from the directory. We are available seven days a week, but ask that you call between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Below are the nominees who have applied for our openings for 2020. We currently have four seats open. They are each 3-year terms. Please look the applicants over carefully and select who you think would be best suited to fill these positions.
MARILYN BALDWIN
Marilyn Baldwin graduated from the Florida School for the Blind in May of 1977. Marilyn served on many Committees in high school including the School Newspaper, Senior Chorus, Scouting and Student Government. In April 1982, she graduated Cum Laude from Bethune Cookman College with a BS Degree in Elementary Education and Specific Learning Disabilities. Marilyn taught children with learning disabilities from 1982 until 1985. Then she worked for the City of Orlando from 1987 until 2002, as an Administrative Receptionist. She joined the National Federation of the Blind in 1984 and attended her first National Convention in Arizona. Marilyn has faithfully served in the Central Florida Chapter for many years serving as a Board Member, Secretary, Vice President and Chapter President. “I love my work with other people who are blind in our NFB Family,” says Marilyn. Marilyn worked to improve our Florida White Cane Law with Florida Senator Toni Jennings. She also played a major role in helping to secure funding for the Transportation Disadvantaged Trust Fund with the help of many members of the NFBF local chapters. In her local community, Marilyn chaired the Orange County Disability Advisory Board for many years beginning in 1996. She served as a member of the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged representing Urban Citizens from 1994-2002. While on the Commission, Marilyn was appointed to serve on The Easter Seals Project Action National Steering Committee. During her tenure on the Commission, Marilyn served on the ADA, Standards, and Personnel Committees. In 2007, Marilyn was appointed to serve as a member of the Florida Bar Citizens Forum and served as Vice Chair from 2009-2010. Marilyn is also a former member of the Friends of the Talking Book Library. Currently Marilyn is President of the Central Florida Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind. She Chairs the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the State Affiliate as well as Co-Chairman for the Communities of Faith Committee. She is also on the Florida Deaf Blind Division Board of Directors for NFBF. This year Marilyn was appointed as a member of the Board of Directors for the League of Women Voters of Orange County. Marilyn serves as Chair of the Quality Assurance Task Force and Disabled Representative on the Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board. Marilyn has served on the local TD Board for over twenty years. “I am blessed to have the opportunity to serve in our Affiliate and local community,” Marilyn says. She is also an active member in her church, Zion Lutheran Church in Winter Garden, Florida, where she serves on the Board of Parish Involvement and Lutheran Women in Mission. Marilyn lives in Orange County, Florida. Marilyn is also a member of Access the Vote Florida. She enjoys finding opportunities to make life better for persons living with blindness and other disabilities.BETTY J. BOYETTE
I started working with people in a business capacity when I was thirteen years old at the “dime store”. I graduated from Lanier County High School, Lakeland, Georgia and my family lived in the same place for generations. On a Sunday night when I was 17-1/2 years old I returned home from my Senior Trip and on Monday morning I went to Jacksonville to attend business school on a scholarship. That same week I got a part-time job in the afternoon doing secretarial work. When I was old enough, I took the Civil Service Test and was chosen to work for a judge. He was a good judge and I got to work with many children and parents in the Juvenile Court and even chose the adoptive parents for one baby found in a trash can. When I grew tired of that after twelve and a half years (12-1/2) it was time to run for re-election, I took my courage in one hand and my foot in the other and ended up at the Braille and Talking Book Library where I was able learn, teach and recruit new volunteers. I especially liked learning the new programs and new technology. I was the first to learn and teach computer Braille. I didn’t know anything about computers or Braille, but was willing to learn. One director asked me how I ran the Volunteer Services Section and immediately I told them I used the “STRING” Method. I learned the jobs first myself, then got in front and led as I taught. Now, I am retired after nearly forty years at the Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library. One of my greatest accomplishments which I am very proud of was helping to start the Friends of the Library Access Inc. I would like to continue to support The Friends by now serving on this board as a board member. With the knowledge I have gained throughout the years working at the library, I feel I can be an asset to this board, contributing in a manner which will allow me to make the appropriate decisions that will in turn, help insure that the blind and visually impaired citizens of Florida who have been receiving services from the Braille and Talking Book Library, will continue to receive these valuable services for many years to come.
DOUG HALL
I’ve been receiving Braille and Talking Books since 1957 and have been actively involved with Friends of Library Access, Inc. since its founding in 1992, serving as a co-founder and member of the Committee that created the Friends, then composed its Bylaws and have chaired its Bylaws Committee. I served as the liaison between the Braille and Talking Book Library and Friends of Library Access, Inc, from its creation in 1992 till 2006, when I left the Library's staff to join the Rehabilitation Center as an instructor and case manager. I joined the Board of the Friends in 2007, serving as President and Vice President. I've been an active member of the Board of Trustees of the Friends and either volunteer or paid staff of the Library and associated services since the 1970s. Since my retirement in 2013, I’ve devoted my time and energies to a variety of consumer and community advocacy activities, including assisting the customers of the Braille and Talking Book Library. I ask for your support in November to be reelected to another three year term on the Board.
SHEILA YOUNG
My name is Sheila Young, and I currently serve as the President of Friends of Library Access Inc. I became a member of Friends of Library Access, Inc. in May, 2005. I have served on the board since 2008 and have served four years as President, and currently am President for my second term. I have been a patron of the library for over thirty years and am a loyal and avid supporter of the Talking Book Library. I feel it is extremely important that accessible print materials be available for everyone who is print disabled. The Friends are instrumental in supporting all of the programs involving the library, and its volunteers. I would appreciate your vote in our November elections.
PAUL LEWIS
Previous to becoming part of the Disabled community, I worked in two major fields: retailing and printing. Since I enjoy the printing field more, I had spent more time working in the retail field, usually at the store level and more often than not in management. In the printing field I work in both financial and commercial printing. For those of you unfamiliar with financial printing, that dealt with public companies and companies wishing to go public. As a customer service representative, I have the opportunity to work with anyone from a paralegal to a company executive to a senior underwriter to a senior partner in a law firm. During my time in retail, I have the opportunity to work in department stores and box stores, working in a number of different product lines and price lines. One of the not-so-obvious skills that I learned in retail, due to the fact that I did not necessarily know the background of my customers, was that I learned to question and develop the skills to be able to talk to nearly anybody and everybody. The last place I worked was in a factory outlet mall located in Estero, Florida. When I notified my supervisor that I would need to start dialysis, it was then that I was told to get my disability papers and then was placed on a medical disability, unable to return to work. My last month of appointment was January 2005. In the mid to late 80s, I was diagnosed as a type two diabetic. One of the results of the diabetes was vision loss - developing diabetic retinopathy and more recently glaucoma. I have had four eye operations, the first in 1998 when I was living in Tampa and the other three at Anne Bates Hospital, part of Bascom Palmer. I was very lucky that my surgeon was able to save a significant amount of usable vision and I have been under his care ever since. I have also received two organ transplants: a kidney in 2008 and a pancreas in 2012. After I received the kidney in 2008, I looked for organizations to volunteer with that I felt I would have a strong commitment to. These included two general areas; the blindness community and joining a support group for organ transplant recipients and promoting organ donation. I had also become involved in my faith-based organization as well. I maintain a membership and both the Florida Council of the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind of Florida. Since joining both organizations, I feel this gives me more information about what is happening in the blind and visually impaired community and allows me to be a better and more effective advocate in my work and activities for and of the blind and visually impaired community. Currently, I also serve on the local ADA Council and I am a member of the local disadvantaged transportation board. I have also served as a volunteer for my local Lighthouse, running a volunteer store, and assisting clients and those participating and other activities with resources, tools, and aids dealing with their vision loss. Before and after I was a volunteer, I have stayed involved with the Lighthouse and continue to participate in their programs. I do not remember the exact year that I first started attending programs at the Lighthouse or joined my first blind and visually impaired organization, but it was most likely either 2007 or 2008. Since that time, I have tried to be an active participant in the local and state activities. Whether I held a position or not, to me it’s not whether you have an office but what your participation and commitment to the organization is. Whether or not I had a position in the organization, I have always tried to participate in the programs, offer my insights, and brought positive results. I’ve always tried to be an advocate, and am a believer in self advocacy as well. Additionally, I have been attending the state conventions on a regular basis since I began and my reasons are twofold: gather and learn about new information, advances and resources, and second, to have the opportunity to make new and renew existing relationships with those who are also attending these conventions. When I am able, I also look forward to attending different events in Florida that I would view as beneficial and worthwhile. From what has been stated above, I hope that you will see that I would be a dedicated and active member of the Board. To me, NLS and its state organizations provide an amazing service which needs and deserves to be supported, and that is the reason that I would like to be able to become a member of the FOL Board. I would also like to pass on that in my community I have developed a relationship with our local library and its staff and in pre-Covid used to stop in and provide updates and get feedback from them. I have also brought them in as speakers to our local organization.
Membership is for the calendar year, January 1 to December 31. All dues received after 9/1/2021 will be applied to the remainder of 2021 and the calendar year 2022.
Click here to fill out the form to join or renew.You must be a Friends member in order to vote. If you are not a current member, please include membership dues with the ballot.
Print your name:We must receive your ballot by Wednesday, November 10, 2021, unless you vote in person. You may MAIL the ballot with your name on it to: Friends of Library Access, Inc. P.O. Box 10716 Daytona Beach, FL 32120-0716 Or email to: pkk22258@aol.com Make Your Voice Heard – VOTE!
Newsletter Editor, Patricia A. Lipovsky