2006 Spring Newsletter
There is a brief part of the story, with a link to the rest of the story just below.
Francois Hendrikz: Profile
Francois Hendrikz started his professional career as an information officer with the then Department of Defence in 1986. This was after completing his B.Bibl (Ed) degree with the Rand Afrikaans University. He then accepted a post with the Department of Education & Training managing the Departmental library located in Pretoria where he stayed until 1988. Being a born and bred “South Wester” (Namibia) he moved to Windhoek with his wife (who is also a qualified librarian) where he became a reference librarian at the Estorff Reference Library. After two years he accepted a post at the State Library, the current National Library of South Africa where he was responsible for research and marketing. He obtained his Masters Degree in Library & Information Science from the University of Pretoria during this period in 1994.
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Blommie Picks DAISY!!
Freda Visser (Blommie) has been narrating Afrikaans books for Blindlib for almost six years, with close on 200 narrated books under her belt to date
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“I started Braille the Old Fashioned Way!!” …. says Michau van Heerden – Braille Transcriber
The first four books Michau ever transcribed were done using a Perkins Brailler. For those who don’t know what a Perkins Brailler is – it’s not unlike those old push-down button typewriters ……in the days when you always made a mistake on the 38th line….and had to start the page all over again!
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AFTER MORE THAN A DECADE….. CHIEF LIBRARIAN BIDS FAREWELL!!
BLINDLIB is in the throes of renewal. Not only is there a motivating new Director, the new DAISY technology waiting eagerly for new playback equipment and containers for the DAISY books and, after thirteen years the building is getting a major face-lift outside and inside and will soon be looking like a new bride, shimmering, dazzling and beautiful.
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Blindlib Congratulates Librarians!
During the month of June 2005 three staff members,Ronel Tutt, Sindi Gule and Michael Solontsi participatedin a threee day MARC21course. MARC21 (MachineReadable Catalogue) is a recognized aid for cataloguersthroughout the library word to ensure standardizationof catalogue records.
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IFLA LBS Pre-conference in Grahamstown, South Africa 14 – 16 August 2007
Theme: Library Service for print disabled people:a tool for literacy - To help build capacity for libraryservices involved in the production of literature in alternateaccessible formats in Africa.
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IN MEMORIUM Michael Solontsi (6/2/1979 to 15/10/2006)
When asked to describe Michael, these were the general comments received from colleagues that worked closely with him in the Library: - Self disciplined; patient, thorough and deliberate; reliable; loyal; sincere; hard working; sensitive and diplomatic!
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Let’s Talk… Books!!
As members you are all informed by now that we aredeep into the original production of DAISY books aswell as analogue to digital conversion of most of ourexisting stock. The latter will be ongoing.
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LITERACY A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT
In past civilizations, communities used different means of communicating and recording information. Sometimes with folklore tales told around fire sides, others with messages left on clay tablets containing hieroglyphics and others with intricate rock paintings and the use of beads.
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THE UNIFIED BRAILLE CODE ADOPTED IN SA BY 2008
During 2004 the South African braille Authority, Braille SA, voted in favour of adoption of the Unified Braille code.
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