LAMP Advocacy and Advisory Group

How does LAMP continue to evolve to meet the current needs of our patrons and anticipate future needs and interests?  

From its first meeting in June of 2015, the LAMP Advocacy and Advisory Group has served a pivotal role in ensuring that the library is actively engaged with our patrons and the shifting needs of our community. Advocacy and Advisory Group members include LAMP patrons, library managers, staff, and Library Administrator, Mark Lee, who founded the group.  Mark states “The impact that the Advocacy & Advisory group has had on the direction of our services is clear. LAMP would not be where it is today without their wisdom, advice and friendship. They have influenced so much including our rebrand, our renovation, and our programming, and they have helped keep issues of accessibility front and center. It’s truly hard to measure how much we appreciate their contributions, and we really look forward to working with them in person again soon!”  

The expertise and insight that group members contribute helps LAMP maintain and innovate services, build our audio and large print book collection, add new technologies and strengthen partnerships with organizations throughout the community. 

Here are just some examples of recent Advocacy and Advisory Group contributions to LAMP services and materials: 

• Responsible for new name (Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians –LAMP) 
• Beta testing of new MyLAMP.org website (to be launched soon) 
• Met with building renovation architects to discuss matters of accessibility 
• Pilot program participants for new services and technologies 
  • Participation in Reading Disabilities Pilot led to changes in NLS certification 
  • NLS Smartphone Pilot 
  • BookShare – Echo Dot Pilot 
  • Hotspot Pilot 

Due to daily library operation changes caused by COVID-19 restrictions and building renovations that are in progress, group meetings that were formally held at the library every 3rd Thursday of the month, are now held virtually via ZOOM. 

Accessible Ballots

Accessible remote ballots allow voters who use screen readers and assistive devices the ability to vote independently and privately. The following steps will help you obtain an accessible remote ballot: 

• Visit votespa.com 
  • Click the link for "Mail-in & Absentee Ballots"  
  • Find the Quick Link for "Accessible Remote Ballot" 
  • Click the link for "Learn more about the accessible remote ballot marking solution" 
• Fill out two forms: 
  • Absentee or mail-in ballot 
  • Request for an accessible remote ballot 
• After your request has been processed by the county board of elections you will receive: 
  • A packet of accessible voting materials  
  • An email with instructions for how to access the ballot 
• Important things to consider: 
  • Completed applications must be received by the county office by 5:00pm on May 11th for the 2021 May 18th Municipal Primary. 
  • Follow ALL of the instructions carefully on the website and in the emails received by the county or else your ballot may not be counted. 
  • If you do not have access to a printer, this may not be the best option for you. 

Virtual Book Club

New Local Titles

DBC 17525 Classic ‘Burgh: The 50 Greatest Collegiate Games in Pittsburgh Sports History by David Finoli 
Narrated by Rich Fuga 

The great tradition of collegiate sports in western Pennsylvania told through 50 memorable games. Some strong language. 2019. 

DBC 16112 Quackers By Liz Wong  
Narrated by Michael Gariti 

Quackers is a duck. Sure, he may have paws and whiskers. And his quacks might sound more like...well, meows, but he lives among ducks, everyone he knows is a duck, and he's happy. Then Quackers meets another duck who looks like him (& talks like him, too!) but he calls himself a cat. So silly! For preschool-grade 2. 2016.  

Staff Picks

Bill Bryson is an entertaining author who has written extensively about everything, and that’s not an exaggeration. He literally wrote the book A Short History of Nearly Everything (DB 56241 LP 23200) which covers, well, everything in the universe.  Bryson, being a journalist, researches all of his subjects extensively and writes on matters personal, interesting, and obscure.  Bryson doesn’t just educate, he always delivers his subjects with a healthy dose of humor, entertainment, and enlightenment.   

Here are some titles that LAMP has available by Bryson in both Large Print and Audio formats: 

I’m a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After Twenty Years Away (DB 49051 CL 06667) After some twenty years in England, Bryson and his family move to New Hampshire where he records his impressions and opinions as a returning American.  He explains good-humoredly some of the cultural clashes between British and American attitudes to daily occurrences and routines.  1999. 

The Body:  A Guide for Occupants (DB 96770 CL 19291) - Guides readers through the human body--how it functions, its remarkable ability to heal itself, and the ways it can fail. Using facts--your body made a million red blood cells since you started reading this--and anecdotes, creates a deeper understanding of the miracle that is you. 2019. 

Bryson has many other books available on a vast array of topics.  One thing is for sure with any of his books, you will have fun while learning something new!   

Professional Mastery of Office Technology for Employment (ProMOTE) Training 

In June, Blind & Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh will be offering the National Industries for the Blind’s Professional Mastery of Office Technology for Employment (ProMOTE) training program via Zoom. This program provides advanced training to assistive technology users who are blind or vision impaired. It combines formal instruction with time-sensitive projects that simulate the demand and collaboration of the workplace. The four-week program focuses on mastering Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint, as well as internet research and creating accessible documents. 

ProMOTE is designed for students who have intermediate knowledge of the assistive technology they use but may need additional training to be competitive in today’s job market. 

The program runs from June 2 – June 29, 2021 and will be conducted virtually via Zoom. There is a cost for the program, but interested individuals are encouraged to apply since full scholarship opportunities are available. 

If you have questions about the program, please contact Art Rizzino, Access Technology Instructor, by email at arizzino@pghvis.org or phone 412.368.4400. To apply, please visit https://www.bvrspittsburgh.org/services/promote-program/ 

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