Cylke retires after four decades as NLS director After 38 years of service, Frank Kurt Cylke retired as director of NLS on February 28, 2011. During his tenure, Cylke shepherded the talking-book program into the digital age, overseeing the transformation from analog audiocassette books, magazines, and players to books on flash-memory cartridges and digital talking-book machines. Under his leadership, circulation increased to more than 27 million audio and braille books and magazines and readership increased 155 percent.   The concept of using digital media was first introduced in 1990, when representatives of four national agencies serving blind and physically handicapped individuals met in Dublin, Ireland, and agreed to full exchange of technological information. Beginning in 1997, NLS coordinated the development of ANSI/NISO Z39.86-2002, the national standard for the Digital Talking Book (DTB), which the National Information Standards Organization (NISO) approved in 2002. The standard made electronic resources in DTB format more accessible to print-disabled readers worldwide. In August 2009—after nearly two decades of extensive research, planning, design, production, testing, and modification—distribution of the digital talking-book system was fully underway. The process required ongoing consultation with patrons, librarians, and contractors across the country and around the globe. "Many, many steps were taken to ensure the materials were appropriately designed, thoroughly tested, and properly produced," said NLS Materials Development Division chief Michael Katzmann, whom Cylke hired as head of the Engineering Section in 2005 and tasked with implementing the transformation from analog to digital. "Kurt made certain we didn't proceed until we were ready," Katzmann recalled. Under Cylke's stewardship the NLS Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD), designed by automation officer Michael Martys and research and development officer Neil Bernstein, was launched as a pilot project in October 2006. The pilot program was recognized by the Blind Bargains Access Awards as Website of the Year in 2008, based entirely on submissions from visitors to BlindBargains.com, a leading online resource for blind and visually impaired people. The service was open to all eligible patrons in April 2009. The total number of downloads during BARD's first three months was 1,606 books and 295 magazines. On February 21, 2010, BARD had its 1 millionth download, Charlotte's Web. In 2004, Cylke created the 10-Squared Talking-Book Club to recognize the more than 1,600 centenarians who were active readers in the program. Edna White, 103 years old from Jacksonville, North Carolina, was the club's first inductee on October 24 of that year. Since then, more than 450 patrons have been inducted. NLS/BPH: NEWS, April-June 2011, Vol. 43, No. 2

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