Important to Have

Sturgeon Bay Children’s Librarian Beth Lokken (left) accepts ten braille books from Altrusa Club member Patti Ligman.

The Sturgeon Bay Library is adding a new collection to their library – children’s braille books. “They are being catalogued right now,” says Sturgeon Bay Children’s Librarian Beth Lokken, who was approached this summer by Altrusa Club member Patti Ligman about adding braille books to the collection.

“[Patti Ligman] is going blind,” says Lokken. “One of the things she noticed is that a lot of sighted-people think braille is going out, because there are audio books and DVDs. Braille is important for children to have access to. She believes they need to learn it, use it, know it’s there.”

The Sturgeon Bay Library is a part of a 54-library system that uses inter-library loans to share materials with patrons throughout northeast Wisconsin. “A couple [libraries] have fairly decent braille books in their collection, but none are close to here,” explains Lokken. When Ligman approached her this summer and asked, ‘Would it be possible to have a braille collection in the library?’ Lokken replied with, ‘I can find some space!’

After jumping a few hoops – including writing up some parameters to adding a braille collection to the library and running it by the library board – Altrusa purchased ten books from Seedlings Braille Books for Children. Lokken chose books “that every child wants access to,” she says. “A blind child or child losing their sight is no different than any other child.” Some popular titles include Olivia and The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

“[Seedlings] applies braille to regular books with a clear plastic,” explains Lokken. “It’s not just for children – adults and grandparents who are losing their sight can read to children who can follow along.”

The books may not be as heavily circulated as other books in the system, but Lokken is pleased to offer them. “There are 150 to 200 blind children in the entire system,” she says, “but that’s 200 kids that need braille books. It’s very important to have.”

Altrusa Club of Door County also offers reading classes, provides scholarships, and a yearly Back-to-School Fair that provides school supplies, backpacks, bike helmets, toiletries, clothing, and more. For more information or to become a member visit altrusaofdoorcounty.org.