Report on the work of the project

Report on the work of the project "Audio books" (July 2015 – December 2016)

Nowadays the audio books are used by 40 clients of ICF "Jewish Hesed "Bnei Azriel" – these people are totally blind or visually impaired. Their relationship with the library is managed by family members and social workers. Overall, the service of literature, presented in audio format is appreciated by clients and their families. Practice shows that audio books make positive impact on people, restoring or compensating the lost ability to read and to obtain necessary information.

Audio books help pensioners to escape from the sad and serious reflexion, make their daily life more meaningful and full, and bring in vivid impressions. It even happens that the apathy inherent in many sick and old people, retreats, and in its place the interest in a new literature comes – both fiction and non-fiction. There is also a trend of “rereading” of favorite books.

Interviewed seniors expressed their gratitude to all who provided them with possibility to "read" by listening, informed us that they are satisfied with the recording quality, thus proposed to increase the number of audio players (not to stand in queue for book).

The same collective opinion was the idea that we need to expand the list of books: some wards lack the classics of the world literature, someone is interested in a well-known and popular modern authors – Jewish, Ukrainian and foreign.

During the reporting period, the audio books were handed out about two hundred times. This includes repeated listening to any of the books and listening of the total library of audio books.

The most popular is literature associated with the Jewish people, its history, traditions, culture, art and humor. So it makes sense to continue recording new audio books on relevant topics. Also well perceived and anticipated are new recording of works by Sevela, Rubina, Ulitskaya.

The wards of ICF "Jewish Hesed "Bnei Azriel" spoke about the project "Audio books"

Clients were asked the following questions:

How long have you been using the services of the library of the International charity Fund "Jewish Hesed "Bney Azriel"?
How long have you turned to this form of reproduction of literary works as audio books?
According to what principle do you choose audio books?
What topics you like the most and why?
What do you like and dislike in such form of presentation as audio book?
Do you have any suggestions/comments regarding the recording quality and subject matter of audio books?
How important and useful to you is such a service as audio book, provided by the International charity Fund "Jewish Hesed "Bnei Azriel"?
Do you consider it necessary to continue the project?

The wards’ answers to these questions formed the basis of the first (main) part of this report. Below we publish the individual experiences and wishes.

Kushnir, Vladimir Matveyevich, born in 1944, 23 January

– I love literature, describing the life of Jewish people. I’ve “read” a few books about the Holocaust. Also I liked the book about the Jews who served under Peter I. Of course I'm interested in not just this topic. Currently I’m reading a book by American author. I’m fond of works of Sholom Aleichem, Chekhov. Thanks to the project I got acquainted with the Czech, Polish, Hungarian authors – a choice is quite enough. In the future I would like to listen to some science-fiction materials relating to the history and geography.

Kornievskaya Lyubov Grigorievna, born in 1920, 27 January

– The project is very useful and necessary. I have listened to audios No. 01 and 28 ("the Jews are joking. Notes from the culinary underground", "Gone. Jewish holidays").

I would also love to listen to recordings of books of Valentin Pikul and Shakespeare's tragedies. Since I fluently speak German, I’d love to listen to audio books with the poetry of Schiller, Heine, Goethe in the original language.

Hermanovsky Anatoly Samuilovich, born in 1940, 19 May.

After the hospital (had a stroke) he was diagnosed with "Vascular dementia". But the brain is functioning overall normally and to maintain its operation a feasible intellectual activity is necessary. And audio books, in this case, are offering such an opportunity.

– I use the library service for 8 years – from the very moment when I became a client of the ICF "Jewish Hesed "Bnei Azriel". Firstly it was usual books, and now – audio books. This summer a health care aide brought me the first audio player.

I especially enjoy "rereading" the novel by Dina Rubina "White dove of Cordoba".

Audio books provide the chance to switch off from problems, to move on to something interesting and enjoyable. Homies note that my grumpiness reduced and the overall mental state is improving.

The project has to continue, as it is very important, and sometimes vital, e.g., for the blind and visually impaired clients of ICF "Jewish Hesed "Bnei Azriel". It will be great if in the future we have the opportunity to expand a list of literature available to our clients.