Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Tech Tips: Adding Complicated Numbers to Your Contact Lisst

Tech Tips: Adding Complicated Numbers to Your Contact List




Contributed by Jerry Price, Assistive Technology Specialist


In this day of virtual get-togethers on various platforms such as Zoom and Google Meets, you need an easy way to call these numbers without having to resort to memorization techniques or asking for assistance via three-way calling.  You can do this by adding these complicated numbers to your contacts.  Here’s how:

Let say the phone number to call is (123) 456-7890 with a pin of 0987654321#

Go to your Contacts.

Press the Add button.

Enter in the first name and the last name as you like.  I may, for instance, enter the first name Library and the last name Meeting.

To add the phone number, type in 1234567890.

Next press the Shift key and add a comma, then press the Shift key again and add another comma.

(This tells the phone to wait about 2 seconds.)

Type in 0987654321, then hit the Shift key again and find your pound sign.

Tap the Finished button.

Now I can tell Siri to call Library Meeting and connect instantly to the virtual conference.


Thursday, June 25, 2020

Tech Tips: Be My Eyes Update

Tech Tips: Be My Eyes Update

Be My Eyes Logo



Contributed by Jerry Price, Assistive Technology Specialist


Be My Eyes Becomes Easier to Use

 

Be My Eyes is an app that will allow a blind smartphone user to connect to a sighted volunteer who can assist with a myriad of tasks.  Assistance may include reading a label, finding a food item, or simply identifying the color of a piece of clothing.  The app was recently updated to allow Siri (the AI for iPhone users) to call a volunteer using a phrase.  Here is how you can make this work:

 

Open the Be My Eyes app on your phone.

Activate the Settings button.

Swipe to the Siri Shortcuts button.

There is only one suggestion – Call Volunteer.

Choose this button.

Once selected, you may either keep the phrase “Call Volunteer” or insert one of your own.

Now you can save the shortcut.

 


Monday, June 22, 2020

School Closures and Extended School Year: A Conversation with Disability Rights Maryland (DRM)

School Closures and Extended School Year: A Conversation with Disability Rights Maryland (DRM)

Teens jumping; youth services; book, events, and more...


Contributed by LaShawn Myles, Youth Services Librarian


The Impact of COVID-19 School Closures and Extended School Year:  A Conversation with Disability Rights Maryland (DRM)

Are you concerned about the education of your child since the COVID-19 school closures?  Do you have questions about Extended School Year and if your child qualifies?  Megan Collins from Disability Rights Maryland will present information about student’s right to extended school year (ESY) services. This will be an open discussion that will include the impact that COVID-19 and the resulting school closures have had on ESY for this year.  This will be a live event and will not be shared for later viewing. Registration is required.  

Event Date: Thursday, June 25th
Time: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Register at this link: https://bit.ly/3eiRUNN

Marylandia: Update

Marylandia Collection: Update


Contributed by Jordan Farinelli, Collection Development Librarian

Marylandia Boiler Plate

June is National Audiobook Month.To celebrate, we are highlighting fan favorites- two of the most popular titles that we have recorded and that come recommended by our patrons.


Mystery & Detective Fiction


DBC 12517 Murder with Fried Chicken and Waffles, by A. L. Herbert

Narrated by Sabrina Dames


Welcome to Mahalia's Sweet Tea – the finest soul food restaurant in Prince George's County, Maryland. Owner Halia Watkins has her hands full cooking, hosting, and keeping her boisterous young cousin, Wavonne, from getting too sassy with customers. Having fast-talking entrepreneur Marcus Rand turn up in her kitchen is annoying enough when he's alive – but finding his dead body face-down on her ceramic tile after hours is much worse.


Biography


DBC 12493 The Longest Fight, by William Gildea

Narrated by Ray Sachs


In September 1906, spectators from around the country, including dozens of reporters and a film crew, came to watch what would become the longest boxing match of the twentieth century between Joe Gans, the first African American boxing champion, and "Battling" Nelson, a vicious and dirty brawler. It was a match billed as the battle of the races. This book also recounts the longer battle that Gans fought against prejudice as the premier black athlete of his time. Gans was smart, witty, trim and handsome, with one-punch knockout power and groundbreaking defensive skills, and his courage despite discrimination prefigured the strife faced by many of America's finest athletes. Inside the ring and out, Gans took the first steps for the African American athletes who would follow.


Saturday, June 20, 2020

Adult Summer Library Program!


Summer Library Program Logo

Hi everyone! Are you ready for Summer? I certainly am! And guess what! It's time for our annual Summer Library Program! 


More information below! 

Once upon a library program, there lived summer fun and engagement   Why don’t you be part of the story?  From June 22nd – August 8th, Maryland LBPH will participate in the “Imagine Your Story” Summer Learning Program! This year, our theme challenges you to explore myths, legends, magic, and folklore. All ages are welcome to participate as there is a challenge for everyone.

We challenge our patrons to read books, attend library programs, and complete activities throughout the summer. Keep track of your reading on our Beanstack site!

 

Adults 19 and older, you will earn badges for each activity you complete. You earn badges for:

·       Logging 50 hours of reading time

·       Complete at least one bingo card from the three available (Read description for rules)

·       Attend at least one library event for adults (held virtually only)

·       Complete at least one weekly trivia quiz

·       Complete at least one additional activity listed

 

Each week, those who complete the weekly trivia challenge will be entered into a drawing for a $10 Amazon Gift Card.

To be eligible for one of two $50 gift cards, you must complete the challenge in full. To complete the challenge, you must earn at least 10 badges overall. Additional self-directed badge earning opportunities will be added throughout the summer, so be sure to check back!


Sign up here: https://marylandlbph.beanstack.org/

 

Check out updates on Facebook and Twitter

 

Be sure to use #summerstories when sharing on social media!

Need help? Email: Ashley.Biggs1@maryland.gov or call 410-230-2430.

Friday, June 19, 2020

Youth Summer Library Program


Summer Library Program Logo

2020 “Imagine Your Story” Summer Library Program @ MD LBPH


From June 22nd – August 8th, Maryland LBPH will participate in the “Imagine Your Story” Summer Learning Program! This year, our theme challenges you to explore myths, legends, magic, and folklore. All ages are welcome to participate as there is a challenge for everyone.


We challenge our patrons to read books, attend library programs, and complete activities throughout the summer. Keep track of your reading on our Beanstack site!  MD LBPH is giving our readers options on how to earn points toward completion.

Need help? Email: 
reference.desk@maryland.gov or call 410-230-2424.
Register @ Beanstack: 
https://marylandlbph.beanstack.org/


Meet Noggin, the Sled Dog and (her human)
Join us to meet Noggin, an Alaskan sled dog.   Ms. Karen Land—writer, public speaker, and three-time participant in the 1,049-mile Iditarod Sled Dog Race across Alaska—and her Alaskan husky, Noggin, wants to chat with you in a one hour teleconference. She has given over a thousand talks in almost every state (she has a few left to visit). Karen loves providing MUSHING talks for always-eager students and enthusiastic library patrons. Dogs, the sport of mushing, and Alaska inspire a diverse audience, making this event fun and interesting for all ages. 

Registration: https://forms.gle/PVUWVC8krXttKQ1a7

Event Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Time: 2 - 3 p.m.


Youth Creative Story and Songwriting Virtual Workshops with Mr. Joe (SillyJoe)
Creating songs and stories isn’t magic; it’s a simple process of drawing material from everyday experience and transforming them into art.  Following a few basic principles, youth will learn how to create stories and songs that will charm and delight their audiences. Registration:  
https://forms.gle/gE7dJB9FBaMH6q4x6

Workshop Times:  
2 p.m.:  Elementary (Ages 6-12)
3 p.m.:  Middle and High School (Ages 13 – 18)

Week 1 (June 29th): Story Elements and Elemental Stories

Week 2 (July 6th): Making stories into songs

Week 3 (July 13th): Writing Poems

 

Ripley’s Believe it or Not Trivia Night

Some of the strangest, most odd, gross, and wacky stories are absolutely true.  Get ready to experience the excitement of Ripley's Believe It or Not!  

Come play Ripley’s Believe It or Not virtually with other teens/youth (Ages: 8 and up).  This event will count as 15 points towards your summer reading challenge.  Be sure to get the activity code to redeem your points.

Trivia Night Date: Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Time: 6 p.m.

Registration is required. Register at this link: https://bit.ly/2UTtVwX

  

Impact of COVID-19 School Closures and Extended School Year:  A Conversation with Disability Rights Maryland (DRM)

Are you concerned about the education of your child since the COVID-19 school closures?  Do you have questions about Extended School Year and if your child qualifies?  Megan Collins from Disability Rights Maryland will present information about student’s right to extended school year (ESY) services. This will be an open discussion that will include the impact that COVID-19 and the resulting school closures has had on ESY for this year.  This will be a live event and will not be shared for later viewing. Registration is required. 

Event Date: Thursday, June 25th
Time: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Register at this link: https://bit.ly/3eiRUNN

 

 


Thursday, June 18, 2020

Marylandia Collection: Update

Marylandia Collection: Update


Contributed by Jordan Farinelli, Collection Development Librarian


Marylandia Boiler Plate

May 2020


May was Jewish American Heritage Month, recognizing Jewish contributions to American life and achievements. To celebrate, we are highlighting a book published by the Jewish Museum of Maryland, detailing three major department stores of Baltimore’s yesteryear.


Nonfiction


DBC 05322 Enterprising Emporiums, by the Jewish Museum of Maryland

Narrated by Maxine A. Cohen


The Jewish department stores of downtown Baltimore, now abandoned, still resonate in living memory. Enterprising Emporiums tells the story of Hutzler’s, Hochschild Kohn’s, and Hecht’s – three downtown stores that consistently stood out for their palatial buildings, spectacular holiday displays, and amenities. These were not only leading department stores but also centers of social life and anchors of the downtown commercial centers for most of a century.


Thursday, June 11, 2020

Tech Tips: Purchase Audible Books with Alexia

Tech Tips: Purchase Audio Books with Alexa

amazon-alexa-logo



Contributed by Jerry Price, Assistive Technology Specialist



Purchase Audible books with Alexa

Did you know you can buy Audible books with your Alexa device?  If you
are an Audible subscriber and you have credits available, you can ask
Alexa to purchase a book and have it added to your library.  Simply
say, "Alexa buy (the title of the book) from Audible."  

Monday, June 1, 2020

Tech Tips: Assistive Technology Resources

Tech Tips: Assistive Technology Resources


Contributed by Jerry Price, Assistive Technology Specialist




Many agencies have live and recorded seminars on a wide variety of topics that are related to the use and understanding of assistive technology.  These seminars can provide information about products, procedures and/or services.  Below are some links, which many of our patrons may find useful.

American Printing House for the Blind “At Home with APH” Webinars:

Freedom Scientific Instructional Webinars:

Hadley Instructional Videos:

Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Technology User Group Archives and Upcoming Events:

Perkins Instructional Events: