Committee members, partners & others attending: Irwin Hott, Cheryl Blevins, Barbara Mates, Donna Reeves, Janell Brown, Donna Foust, Mark Foersterling, Joel Husenits, Mona Pocatko, James Donnan, Eric Duffy, Jo Budler, Sandy Johnson, Jim Buchman, Rodean Turner.

INTRODUCTIONS: The meeting was held in the board room of the State Library of Ohio. The meeting was called to order at 10:30 A.M. by Irwin Hott. Each attendee introduced him or herself.

MINUTES: Minutes of the November 17, 2005 meeting were approved with revision. These minutes will be posted on the State Library's web site: CACM Minutes–November 17, 2005

REGIONAL REPORTS

CINCINNATI LBPH:

Donna Foust reported that a part-time position has been filled. Donna also reported on an LSTA grant she submitted to the State Library for purchase of audio-described videos.

Since the last meeting the library hosted a series of programs with a group called Pro-Seniors to assist seniors in understanding and signing up for new Medicare drug prescription programs.

Deborah Toomey, a network consultant from NLS (National Library Services), visited the library on March 6 and 7. A written consultant report will follow within the next two months. In addition, Donna will be attending the KLAS Users Conference in Salt Lake City, UT from March 28-30.

CLEVELAND LBPH:

Barbara Mates reported that Playaway readers have been added to the Cleveland LBPH collection. Barbara reported that staff rewrote instructions on how to use these portable devices. The library is buying ear plugs in quantity and instructing patrons to keep them to use the next time. The library is also providing extra batteries when sending out the units.

The latest on-line book discussion program with the Ohio School for the Blind was How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Barbara reported that it was a great program for a younger audience. The next on-line book discussion will be the Wizard of Oz on April 7th, 2006.

Cleveland LBPH will be celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Talking Book Program at the Family Fun and Learning Day on June 21, 2006.

Deborah Toomey, NLS network consultant, visited the library on March 9 and 10. A written consultant report will follow within the next two months. Barbara expects the report to be critical of the library's staffing level. 

STATE LIBRARY REPORT

Jo Budler will be meeting with the owner of Playaway at the Public Library Association's upcoming conference. She asked if the CAC would be willing to look at the next generation of Playaway devices. The committee agreed to review the next generation of players, which is expected by Christmas 2006. CAC suggestions for the next generation of players include:

• A different/better pricing structure
• More titles, including children's titles
• Increase the size of the unit; buttons are small and can be hard to use
• Better, rechargeable batteries
• Improve access to battery door, which is difficult to open
• Attach battery door to unit
• Develop a Welcome Kit to go along with each unit.

Jo also reported that the Ohio E-Book project is expanding to include the SEO (Serving Every Ohioan) Library Center located in Caldwell, Ohio.

Jim Buchman reported that Deborah Toomey, NLS network consultant, visited the State Library on March 8. A written consultant report will follow within the next two months.

Using LSTA money, the State Library purchased ten Perkins Panda Bear kits from the Perkins Institute. Six to eight of these will be provided to libraries agreeing to participate in a pilot program. The remaining kits will be circulated by the State Library to other libraries or groups for use with programs to teach children about disabilities. Cheilon Mitchell is heading up the project as part of her KSU/MLS practicum.

Jim reported on an initial meeting he had with outreach staff from The Ohio School for the Deaf. They discussed a potential collaborative program by which the School for the Deaf will purchase library materials to duplicate their outreach collection, which would then be cataloged and housed at the State Library. The State Library also would agree to circulate these to users throughout the state. This project is in its initial stages; no timelines have been established.

On May 2, 2006 the General Electric Elfins will be celebrating shipping their 50,000th reconditioned Talking Book Machine. Jim suggested that the State Library Board approve a resolution to recognize their accomplishment. Sandy Johnson will be representing the State Library at the May 2nd celebration. 

PARTNER REPORTS

OPLIN

Joel Husenits reported that Steven Hedges, former director of the Nelsonville Public Library, will start as OPLIN's new director on April 3, 2006. Joel also reported that OPLIN will be looking at revamping its web site later in 2006.

OHIO SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND

Janell Brown reported that she has been weeding her Braille collection. She is having problems locating current titles in Braille. It was suggested that Janell send a list of titles to Cincinnati and Cleveland to check against their holdings.

OLD BUSINESS

Jim Buchman reported that patrons have viewed 2,424 titles of Tumble Talking Books. The most viewed title was A Christmas Doll. He will follow up with Tumble Talking Books concerning accessibility issues identified by the CAC at its November meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

Eric Duffy demonstrated a new portable reader, which has been developed by the National Federation of the Blind. Eight of these readers will be beta tested in Ohio. These readers marry a Cannon digital camera to a PDA. This configuration makes the unit much smaller and more portable than existing units now on the market.

The next meeting is scheduled for May 11, 2006 at 10:30 at the State Library of Ohio.
The meeting adjourned at 12:06 PM.
Minutes submitted by: Rodean Turner &Jim Buchman