FRIENDS OF LIBRARY ACCESS, INC.
FALL 2025
2025 FRIENDS TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS / MISSION 2
HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE 3
LOOKING FOR NEW TALENT 4
HOW ABOUT READING THE NEWSPAPER AGAIN 5
NOMINATIONS FOR FRIENDS BOARD OF TRUSTEES 7
REVISION TO CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 10
APPLICATION AND RENEWAL FORM 12
BALLOT 13 ## 2025 FRIENDS TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
Below is an updated list of Board Members. Officers’ positions are noted after the Board Member’s name:
Board members
To inform the public of the availability of the FREE LOAN of books and magazines, in audio format and Braille
Show appreciation to the volunteers who perform invaluable service to the Braille and Talking Book Library by sponsoring an annual volunteer appreciation luncheon, along with other forms of recognition
Purchase and donate materials that will assist the Braille and Talking Book Library in its provision of accessible media, including Braille, recorded, and electronic materials
Advocate for improved accessibility of books and magazines
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, along with 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. P.O. Box 10716 Daytona Beach, FL 32120-0716
You may also visit our web site at http://www.friendsoflibraryaccessinc.org
For further information, contact: Patricia A. Lipovsky President, and Membership and Outreach Chair at: plipovsky@cfl.rr.com or 386-255-0288
We thank you for your generous support. ## LOOKING FOR NEW TALENT
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, which is our annual meeting.
If you are interested in serving on our Board, please submit your name and a brief letter stating your experience, expertise, and goals as it pertains to the Friends. Letters of Interest may be submitted 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:
Dolor Ginchereau at (954) 616-7273, or email ginchereau2@gmail.com ##
HOW ABOUT READING THE NEWSPAPER AGAIN?
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.
If you are an NLS patron and Braille reader, NLS can help you have your favorites at your fingertips. Through our Braille-on-Demand program, you can request up to five books a month in hard copy Braille to keep indefinitely for your personal use. Choose from any of the tens of thousands of Braille titles available on BARD, the NLS Braille and Audio Reading Download website.
https://www.loc.gov/nls/services-and-resources/braille-on-demand/
The Man in The Know Jeff ## NOMINATIONS FOR FRIENDS BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Below are the nominees who have applied for our openings for 2025/26. We currently have five 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.
Dolor Ginchereau
I am Dolor Ginchereau; I am running for my third term on the Board of Trustees for the Friends of Library Access. I have enjoyed serving the members of Friends on the Board. I look forward to continuing to contribute to the good work the board does. An example is my support of the Talking Book Library’s summer reading program for children. We purchase these books to be recorded by the library. When you receive your ballot, I am asking for your vote on that ballot. I thank you for your vote in advance.
Patricia Lipovsky
My name is Patricia A. Lipovsky. I am a resident of Daytona Beach Florida, and a proud mom of three children, and six grandchildren. I moved to Florida in the early 1980’s, and have been a patron of the Braille and Talking Book Library ever since.
I was elected to the Friends board in 2010. I am currently the President of the Friends, serve on the Membership and Outreach Committee, served as Treasurer for four years, and am the editor of our Friends of Library Access Newsletter.
The Braille and Talking Book Library provides a wonderful service,
not only to me, but to many of our print impaired Floridians throughout
the state of Florida.
Being on the Friends board, in various capacities, has given me an
opportunity to give back something in return for this wonderful service
that has been provided to me for many years.
So now, it is still my desire to continue giving back to the Braille and Talking Book Library. I will do whatever is deemed necessary to insure and enhance the quality of service to all print impaired patrons throughout the state of Florida, as having accessibility to books for independence, education, employment and pleasure is paramount to all of our print impaired Floridians throughout the state of Florida!!
Thank you.
Jeff Saunders
My name is Jeff Saunders and once again, I wish to be considered for the Friends of the Library Access Board. I am continuing to promote and share the power of Talking Books to anyone who listens and to educate those who want to remain independent when life changes develop, including exploring new means and ways to spread the word.
As a former board member, I am prepared to give the time and effort of such a commitment to enhance shared knowledge in SW Florida, where I currently live year-round. I am a retired Federal Government employee with the IRS and SSA, including private industry experience. I have been married to my amazing wife of 40 years with the patience of a saint and an incredible laugh. I started out in life as an Electrical Engineer with an MBA. I became visually impaired 20 years ago. I still can spot a pretty woman; however, I cannot tell you how old she is. :-). I am also a certifiable GOOD Troublemaker who will always ask “why not?” and find a way to get it done!
Please consider this my request to return to the board and thank you for your time!
Ryan Mann
My name is Ryan Mann. I have been a user of talking books since 2001, and have read many books throughout the years. I am also the web master for the Friends of Library Access web page.
I would like to be on the board of the Friends of Library Access in order to give back to the Talking Book Library, for the service I have received, which provided me access to thousands of books throughout the years, allowing me to read a variety of many books.
Thank you.
Ryan Mann
Sherri Brun
Good afternoon.
I am very interested in serving on the Friends of Library board. I have been a Talking Book library patron for many years and have been aware and very appreciative of the work our library volunteers do for the patrons of the library. I would be a good asset to the board, as I have served on various boards of other entities including the National Federation of the Blind of Florida and in my local chapter. I have also served in The League of Women Voters.
I also have attended several board meetings of the Friends of the Library and always found them interesting.
I thank you for considering me for a board position and look forward to serving. ## PROPOSED BYLAW REVISIONS
Please place an X in front of the Bylaw if you agree with the change
Article IV. BOARD OF TRUSTEES Section V
Old Language
A. Any persons wishing to be elected to the board of trustees must have
been a member of Friends for at least one year, and attend at least one
meeting prior to the election.
Article IV. BOARD OF TRUSTEES Section V
New Language A. Any persons wishing to be elected to the board of trustees must have been a member of Friends for at least (1) one year, and have attended at least one meeting of the Board prior to the election.
ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS AND DUTIES
Old Language Section VI
The president shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Trustees and
membership; shall supervise the correspondence of the organization; and
shall exercise general supervision over the affairs of the
organization.
New Language Section VI The President shall preside at (over) all meetings of the Board of Trustees and membership; shall supervise the correspondence of the organization; shall exercise general supervision over the affairs of the organization; and In the event of a vacancy in any office, shall appoint, with the approval of the board, a member to serve until the next annual meeting, at which time an election shall be held. ## APPLICATION AND RENEWAL FORM
Membership is for the calendar year, January 1 to December 31. All dues received after 9/1/2025 will be applied to the remainder of 2025 and the calendar year 2026. Please complete this form and return it along with your check to: Friends of Library Access, Inc. P.O. Box 10716 Daytona Beach, FL 32120-0716 Friends of Library Access, Inc. P.O. Box 10716 Daytona Beach, FL 32120-0716
Current Date: ________________________________________________ Last Name ________________ First Name _________________________ Street _________________________________ Apt. _________________ City _______________________ State _______ Zip_________________ Telephone: home: (____) ________alternate: (_____) ________________
PLEASE CHECK ALL THAT APPLY *required to process application
*1. Print impaired people qualify for Free Matter for the Blind and
Handicapped from the postal service Place check in front of text if you
qualify yes _no 2. What media do you prefer?
Place check in front of text ___ Large Print ___ E-mail ___ Audio
___ Braille (should the latter two become available) If e-mail
checked, write your e-mail address:
____________________________________________ 3. F.L.A. Membership
Selection Place check in front of text ___ Annual renewal ($10.00 per
year) ___ Contributing Member ($50.00 or more per year) ___ Life Member
($200.00 may be paid in up to four installments within one year) ___
Supporting Membership ($250.00 per year, group sponsorship) 4. I am
interested in helping with Place check in front of text ___ Public
Relations /Education ___ F.L.A. Board of Trustees ___ Fund Raising
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:
Place a check in front of the candidate’s name of choice below:
______Dolor Ginchereau ______Patricia Lipovsky ______Jeff
Saunders
______Ryan Mann
Write in Candidate (s): Sherri Brun
We must receive your ballot by Friday, November 7, 2025.
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
Friends of Library Access, Inc. P.O. Box 10716 Daytona Beach, FL 32120-0716