Technology User Group Meeting: Games with Alexa

Technology User Group Meeting

Contributed by Jerry Price, Assistive Technology Specialist

On Saturday, September 11, the Technology User Group is pleased to present a morning of games with your Alexa device.  Whether you are using an Echo Show, Dot, Flex, Fire, phone or computer app, there are hundreds of games available on this operating platform but only 60 minutes to tell you about the top-rated ones.  Come and witness the best and worst that the AI world has to offer.

 

This presentation will be virtual and may be joined by calling 319-527-4994.  You do not have to RSVP for this event.  The presentation will begin at 10 AM and last about an hour.

 

We look forward to meeting with you virtually on Saturday, September 11, and hope that you will join us for other exciting events we have planned for 2021.

 

If you would like to listen to previous TUG recordings, please click here:

https://www.marylandlibraries.org/Pages/Technology%20User%20Group.aspx

 

Upcoming TUG Programs:

 

Saturday, October 2, 10 AM, Health Apps, Gadgets and Resources

Saturday, November 6, 10 AM, Assistive Technology Gifts for the Holidays

 

Follow the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD) on:

 

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MDLBPD/

On Twitter at https://twitter.com/MDLBPD

On our blog at https://mdlbpd.blogspot.com/

And our website at www.lbph.maryland.gov

 

For more information about the Technology User Group, please contact Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 or via email at assistive.technology@maryland.gov.

 

Director's Corner: Notice of Public Hearing

Contributed by John Owen, Director

NLS has a new Director!  

The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled has selected Jason Broughton as its new Director!

"We are pleased to announce that Mr. Jason Broughton has been selected as the new Director of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) at the Library of Congress. Prior to joining the Library of Congress, Mr. Broughton was the first African American to serve as Vermont State Librarian," NLS said in a written statement to network libraries. "In this role, he engaged in strategic planning for the Department of Libraries and establishing a long-term vision for the State Library. Previously, Mr. Broughton held numerous positions at libraries in South Carolina and Georgia."  

Mr. Broughton earned his M.S. in Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina, an M.S. in Public Administration from the University of South Florida, and a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Florida A&M University.  His first day at NLS is scheduled for Monday, September 13. Please join us in welcoming Jason Broughton to NLS."

Collection Highlights: Beach Reads

 

Collection Highlights: Beach Reads

Contributed by Jordan Farinelli, Collection Development Librarian

August 2021

“Beach reads” are compulsively readable books that grab your attention until the last page. No matter where they may be, beachgoers and couch surfers alike can find an escape with this list of 2021’s most anticipated beach reads.

• Romance

• DB 103670 – Seven Days in June, by Tia Williams

• DB 102611 – Act Your Age, Eve Brown, by Talia Hibbert

• DB 103101 – Second First Impressions, by Sally Thorne

• DB 103191 – People We Meet on Vacation, by Emily Henry

• Suspense

• DB 103816 – The Other Black Girl, by Zakiya Dalila Harris

• DB 103326 – The Last Thing He Told Me, Laura Dave

• DB 102262 – Girl A, Abigail Dean

• Historical Fiction

• DB 103564 – Malibu Rising, by Taylor Jenkins Reid

• Fantasy

• DB 101960 – The Charmed Wife, by Olga Grushin

• Adventure

• DB 102210 – Outlawed, by Anna North

This list has been adapted from the Oprah Daily article, “35 of the Best Beach Reads to Help You Escape.” Visit this link for the full article: https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/books/g26765235/best-beach-reads/?slide=1

Please note that these books are available for download on BARD and can only be mailed on a Books on Demand (BOD) cartridge. To have these books sent to you, please contact the reference desk. BOD, our new circulation system, significantly decreases the wait time for new books. For more information about BOD, see here: https://mdlbpd.blogspot.com/2021/03/books-on-demand-update.html or, send an email to reference.desk@maryland.gov. 

 

Director's Corner: Notice of Public Hearing

Contributed by John Owen, Director

The Maryland State Library Agency's Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD) will hold a public hearing on Monday, August 23 at 4:00 PM to review the Internet Filtering Policy for the library.  LBPD provides computer and Internet access for eligible patrons at the library facility located at 415 Park Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21201.

The hearing will be conducted via teleconference. Please call 319-527-4994 to join the hearing.  

The policy is available for review:

1) in full text after the signature block in this post.

3) on the website at marylandlibraries.org

Thank you.

Internet Filtering Policy for LBPD

The Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled utilizes third-party filtering software on all Library workstations and devices using the Library’s Wi-Fi network. The Library receives federal funding in support of public Internet access. Federal law requires libraries receiving such funding to install filters (software that blocks access
to Internet material containing visual depictions that are obscene, contain child pornography or are harmful to minors) on its Internet computers. Maryland law 23-506.1 requires that a library adopt and implement policies and procedures to prevent minors from access to obscene materials or child pornography. The law requires that a filter protects against access to material that is:

● Obscene
● Child Pornography
● Harmful to Minors 

Internet sites that pose a threat to the library’s networks or computers are also
blocked, including:
● Malware
● Malicious Software and Actions
● Phishing
● Spyware

The policy of the Library for the Blind and Print Disabled is to provide access to materials available through the Internet while providing reasonable measures to protect minors from exposure to material that may be deemed "obscene" and to protect children from online forums where personal information may be transmitted. Further, the policy of the library is to filter any software that may compromise the security of the network. The Library uses third-party filtering software and firewall protection to accomplish these goals. This policy and the filtering tools are reviewed annually. 

There may be circumstances where a customer is unable to access legitimate resources. At the discretion of the person in charge, filters may be limited (for minors) or disabled (for adults with proper identification). Any concerns or questions about this policy should be directed to the Library Director.

Marylandia Collection Update

Marylandia Collection Update

Contributed by Jordan Farinelli, Collection Development Librarian

August 2021

Whether you are staying home or traveling this summer, check out this story of a family vacation gone wrong. 

Mystery and Detective Stories

DBC 12454 – Spanish Kidnapping Disaster, by Mary Downing Hahn, narrated by Janet Sanford

Twelve-year-old Felix is fascinated. She has never met a woman like Grace - beautiful, mysterious, and a citizen of the world.  If it weren't for Grace, the family's trip to Spain might have been pretty dull. The trouble started when Felix and her stepsister Amy got lost in the middle of Spain, and Grace came to their rescue. Grace not only helped them find the rest of the family, but volunteered to show Felix, Amy, and her brother, castles, and windmills and places that tourists never see. But the kids are no sooner in Grace's car, bouncing down a dusty back road when Felix realizes something is very wrong. Grace is not her friend...and they're headed for the most dangerous and terrifying experience of their lives.

Tech Tips: Apple iOS 15 features

 

Tech Tips: iOS 15 Feature Updates

Contributed by Kevin Middleton, Computer Network Specialist

In June at Apple's World Wide Developers Conference, Apple announced some interesting upcoming accessibility updates and new features for iOS15. Some of the features include things like Markup for user-created VoiceOver compatible image descriptions, new control options to control your phone with mouth sounds like clicks and pops, a default Magnifier program, app-specific text settings, and more! See the link below for more information courtesy of 9to5mac.com.

https://9to5mac.com/2021/07/05/ios-15-everything-new-accessibility/