Guest Post: National Library Service Talks Tallking Book Topics

Guest Post: National Library Service

Contributed by NLS Representative

Due to significant and worsening supply-chain issues and worldwide paper shortages, the large-print edition of Talking Book Topics (TBT) January–February 2022 will not be printed. The US Government Publishing Office (GPO) has informed NLS that these problems are expected to continue through the end of 2022, and likely beyond.

 

We strongly encourage patrons to the use the six other formats in which Talking Book Topics can be read and enjoyed:

 

·       HTML, www.loc.gov/nls/tbt, linking to BARD for downloading or adding books to wish lists

·       PDF, www.loc.gov/nls/tbt, containing a printable order form

·       Audio cartridge, which comes with a print order form

·       BARD audio magazine, downloadable to cartridge or to BARD Mobile wish list

·       Braille Book Review’s TBT Abridged section in hardcopy braille

·       Braille Book Review’s TBT Abridged section as a BRF downloadable through BARD or from www.loc.gov/nls/bbr

 

Patrons can also learn about the latest titles added to BARD through the “Recently added books and magazines” link on the BARD website or the “Recently added to BARD” feature on the “Get Books” tab on the BARD Mobile app.

 

Patrons who subscribe to Talking Book Topics (TBT) in large print will not receive the January–February 2022 issue in paper format due to ongoing supply-chain issues and worldwide paper shortages. Patrons can access TBT January–February 2022 online in HTML and PDF right now at www.loc.gov/nls/tbt. TBT in HTML contains direct links to BARD for downloading or adding books to wish lists, and TBT in PDF contains printable order forms for mailing. TBT January–February 2022 in audio will be available on cartridge and on BARD and BARD Mobile the first week in February. Additionally, TBT Abridged will be available through Braille Book Review in hardcopy braille and BRF on www.loc.gov/nls/bbr.

 

Guest Post: Washington Seminar Career Fair

Contributed by NFB Representative

Washington Seminar Career Fair

The National Federation of the Blind will hold the 2022 Washington Seminar Career Fair virtually on Monday, February 7, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. eastern. Connect with diverse and dynamic employers and job seekers from across the United States.

This event is organized by the National Federation of the Blind Employee Committee. The NFB Employment Committee runs employment activities during the year. It is our goal to bring employers who are interested in hiring blind people in contact with blind people who are looking for employment. We do seminars and other activities to help blind job seekers develop interviewing and other skills. We also help answer employer questions about hiring blind people.  

Registration open. Register by January 25, 2022, 8 p.m. eastern time. 

Prepare for Career Fair Seminars

Prepare for the career fair by attending two seminars on January 17 and 24. The first seminar will teach you how to interview for jobs in the Zoom environment. The second will teach you how to do fearless and competent job interviews.

Monday, January 17: Zoom Etiquette and Tools for Blind Job Seekers  Seminar (CC Available) 

7:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. eastern time via Zoom. Please join the National Federation of the Blind on Monday, January 17 to learn more about Zoom before the 2022 career fair. Closed captions and the 1CapApp will be available.

Join the January 17 Zoom Meeting 
https://zoom.us/j/93719796709 
Meeting ID: 937 1979 6709 
One tap mobile: +16468769923,,93719796709# US
1CapApp Link: https://ECS.1capapp.com/event/nfb 

Monday, January 24: Fearless Interviewing for Blind Job Seekers Seminar (CC Available) 

7:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. eastern time via Zoom. Please join the National Federation of the Blind on Monday, January 17 to learn more about Zoom before the 2022 career fair. Closed captions and the 1CapApp will be available.

Join the January 24 Zoom Meeting 
https://zoom.us/j/97523588063 
Meeting ID: 975 2358 8063 
One tap mobile 
+13126266799,,97523588063# US
1CapApp Link: https://ECS.1capapp.com/event/nfb 

Registration for Job-Seekers

There will be opportunities for blind and low-vision professionals with all levels of skills and experience. There will be options for full time jobs, part time and seasonal jobs, and internships. An increasing number will involve remote work. There is no charge for the fair. Our career fairs usually bring in around 100 to 200 blind job seekers, including some agency job developers who are looking for jobs for their clientele. The number of employers varies, but usually ranges from twenty to forty. Register by January 25, 2022, 8 p.m. eastern time. 

Register now as a job-seeker for the February 7, 2022 Career Fair.

Registration for Employers

Blind and low-vision professionals with all levels of skills and experience will be seeking full time, part time and seasonal jobs, and internships. Many will be looking for remote or local work, but a number will be willing to relocate. There is no charge for the fair. Our career fairs usually bring in around 100 to 200 blind job seekers, including some agency job developers who are looking for jobs for their clientele. The number of employers varies, but usually ranges from twenty to forty, and includes major national and international corporations, nongovernmental organizations, and small businesses of any kind. Register by January 25, 2022, 8 p.m. eastern time. 

Register now to be an employer at the February 7, 2022 Career Fair. 

More Information

Questions: email Dick Davis at dickblind@gmail.com or John Dubay at jdubay@leadsatscale.com.

Technology User Group Meeting: February 12

 

Technology User Group Meeting:

February 12

Contributed by Jerry Price, Assistive Technology Training Coordinator 

On Saturday, February 12th, the Technology User Group will demonstrate tips and tricks for using your NLS braille e-reader.  Learn how to connect to online services, Bluetooth usage, texting and more.

The 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 60 minutes.

We look forward to meeting with you virtually on Saturday, February 12th, and hope that you will join us for other exciting events we have planned for 2022 and beyond.

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, March 12, 10 AM, Using the GPS in your Victor Reader Trek

Saturday, April 9, 10 AM, Grocery Delivery Services, Apps & Web sites.

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.

Collection Highlights: Marylandia Update

 

Collection Highlights: Marylandia Update

Contributed by Jordan Wohlfort, Collection Development Librarian

January 2022

Check out this love story that also has a few spooky chills.

Paranormal Romance

DBC 12459  – The Haunting of Hotel LaBel bySharon Buchbinder, narrated by Roberta Jackson

When hotel inspector, Tallulah Thompson, is called in along with her pug, Franny, to investigate renovation delays, she meets an extremely annoyed and dapper turn-of-the-century innkeeper. The only problem is he's in limbo, neither dead nor alive, and Tallulah and the pug are the first to see him in a hundred years. Cursed by a medicine woman, "Love 'em and Leave 'em Lucius" Stewart is stuck between worlds until he finds his true love and gives her his heart. When he first sees Tallulah, he doesn't know what he's feeling. Yet her stunning beauty and feisty attitude pull him in. With the fate of Hotel LaBelle on the line, Tallulah and Lucius team up to save the hotel.

Collection Spotlight: January 2022

 

Collection Highlights: Winter Holiday

Contributed by Jordan Wohlfort, Collection Development Librarian

January 2022

The Chinese New Year, otherwise known as the Lunar New Year, will fall on February 1st this year, beginning a year of the tiger. Check out the books below that are set around the Chinese New Year or Chinese culture.

Lunar New Year

Children’s

Mindy Kim and the Lunar New Year Parade : Mindy Kim, Book 2, by Lyla Lee

BR 23229 ; BR 23231 (uncontracted) ; DB 99227

Mindy Kim is excited to go to the Lunar New Year parade with her father and her best friend, Sally. She decides to make traditional Korean New Year food, a rice-cake soup that's her favorite, but things don't go as planned.

The Runaway Wok: A Chinese New Year Tale, by Ying Chang Compestine and Sebastià Serra

BR 20017

On Chinese New Year's Eve, Ming trades eggs for a rusted wok that sings to him. His mother is unhappy until she realizes the singing wok is magic--and brings more than enough food, toys, and coins to share with other poor families.

Happy New Year, Julie: American Girl, 1974, Book 3, by Megan McDonald

BR 17628 ; DB 66160

San Francisco, 1974. Shuttling between their mother's and father's houses to celebrate Christmas is no fun for Julie and her sister Tracy. But Julie finds comfort in sharing the Chinese New Year traditions of her best friend, Ivy Ling, and in thinking about new beginnings.

The Year of the Dog : Pacy Lin, Book 1, by Grace Lin

BR 16624

While Pacy's Taiwanese American family prepares the Chinese New Year feast, Pacy hopes the Year of the Dog will be lucky for her. She does make a new best friend at school but "finding herself"--discovering her own talent--takes longer. 

This Next New Year, by Janet S. Wong

BR 16033

A young boy talks about the rituals his family and friends observe as they anticipate the Chinese New Year. They hope that their preparations will ensure a good new year.

Gung Hay Fat Choy = Happy New Year, by June Behrens

DB 42638

Gung Hay Fat Choy is the Chinese New Year, a festival that may last for many days with family reunions, ceremonies honoring ancestors, and rituals thanking the gods for their blessings. It is also a grand birthday party, for the Chinese add a year to their age on Gung Hay Fat Choy, no matter the day of their birth. This book explains the Chinese New Year and describes its celebration by Chinese Americans.

When the Circus Came to Town, by Laurence Yep

DB 60844

Montana stagecoach station, about 1900. Ten-year-old Ursula catches smallpox that leaves her face so badly scarred she hides away. Ah Sam, the cook, and a Chinese New Year celebration help Ursula to regain her confidence.

Celebrate Chinese New Year, by Carolyn Otto

DB 69711

Explains the significance of Chinese New Year traditions--the food, fireworks, dragons, lanterns, and family activities. Includes instructions for making a paper lantern, playing the drum and flower game, and baking fortune cookies.

Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats : A Treasury of Chinese Holiday Tales, Activities & Recipes, by Nina Simonds and Leslie Swartz

DB 57026

Presents background, related stories, traditional foods, and activities for five Chinese celebrations--Chinese New Year, the Lantern Festival, Qing Ming (honoring ancestors), the Dragon Boat Festival, and the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival.

Young Adult

Donald Duk, by Frank Chin

DB 34553

Twelve-year-old Donald Duk hates his cartoon name and his Chinese-American heritage, preferring to envision himself as the tap-dancing Fred Astaire. As Chinese New Year approaches, with constant reminders of his culture, Donald dreams about his ancestors working on the railroads. The truths he learns from the dreams and his father's lectures give Donald a history very different from the one taught in his private school.

Outrun the Moon, by Stacey Lee

DB 85851

San Francisco, California; 1906. Fifteen-year-old Mercy Wong--daughter of Chinese immigrants--struggles to hold her own among the spoiled heiresses at prestigious St. Clare's School for Girls. When tragedy strikes, everyone must put aside their differences and band together to survive.

Adult

City of Dragons : Miranda Corbie, Book 1, by Kelli Stanley

DB 97283

February, 1940. San Francisco's Chinatown celebrates Chinese New Year with a three-day-and-night carnival designed to raise money and support for China war relief. After thirty-three-year-old PI Miranda Corbie stumbles upon the fatally shot body of Eddie Takahashi, she learns that the Chamber of Commerce wants it covered up. Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence.

The Good Earth, by Pearl S. Buck

BR 09400 ; DB 37294 ; DB 12516 (Spanish language) ; DB 31922 (Vietnamese language)

Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by a winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. Describes the rise of Wang Lung, a poor Chinese peasant. The story begins with his wedding day, as he ponders his good fortune that now he will have a woman to take over the chore of lighting a fire to heat the water for his bath. With the help and patience of his new wife, O-lan, Wang Lung becomes a rich landowner.

Upcoming Event: ABLE Accounts: A Financial Planning Tool for People with Disabilities and their Families

ABLE Accounts: 

A Financial Planning Tool for People with Disabilities and their Families

January 20, 6:30 PM

Call-in: ​ (319) 527-4994

​Join the online meeting: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/mdlbpd​​

Join us to learn about the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act and how a Maryland ABLE​ account can help people who are blind, those with low vision, and other qualifying disabilities to save and invest for the future without jeopardizing federal, state, and local benefits such as SSI and Medicaid. Attendees will learn about the enrollment process, tax-advantaged savings, and investment options, how to use the ABLE account to pay for qualified disability-related expenses, and the account management process.

Speaker information: Kelly Nelson has worked in the field of disabilities for more than 30 years. She has served in many roles supporting people with disabilities and their families through advocacy, education, and connecting them to vital resources within their community. As a parent of a child with disabilities, Kelly is passionate about helping her daughter to become a confident self-advocate. As the Outreach and Communications Manager for Maryland ABLE, she is excited to connect with people with disabilities and their families to share with them how an ABLE account can be used to promote personal choice, independence, and financial stability.

 

Guest Post: Newsline Training Opportunity

Contributed by Scott White, NFB Representative

Training Event: NFB-NEWSLINE on the Victor Reader Stream

Event Details

January 12, 2022

8:00 p.m. eastern time (7:00 p.m. central time, 6:00 p.m. mountain time, 5:00 p.m. pacific time)

Please join us on Zoom, the information you will need to attend is at the end of this message.

Do you miss reading your favorite magazines and newspapers? NFB-NEWSLINE can help you quench your thirst for knowledge. What if it was possible to accessibly read your local newspaper, the New York Times, Fox News or Reader's Digest when you are away from home. Now you can with NFB-NEWSLINE on the Victor Reader Stream.

At the training, you will learn:

Set up NFB-NEWSLINE on your Victor Reader Stream.

Find your favorite breaking news sources, magazines and newspapers.

Download content straight to your Victor Reader Stream and read with ease.

Locate an article of interest and read continuously, by sentence, one word at a time or listen to the spelling of a new word.

Save a magazine or newspaper for future reading.

With NFB-NEWSLINE on your Victor Reader Stream you will be able to take your favorite entertainment and news sources with you wherever you go without the need for telephone or internet access. Now you will stay current with information on the bus, a plane trip across the country or sitting in a waiting room until your next appointment.

NFB-NEWSLINE is a free audio and Braille news and information service that provides subscribers with 24/7 access to over 500 updated publications, including newspapers and magazines, breaking news, customizable job listings, TV listings, store circulars, emergency weather alerts and forecasts.

To participate in the training, please use one of the options listed below.

Join Zoom Meeting on your computer or mobile device:

https://zoom.us/j/97674532669

Tap on your mobile device to be directly connected to the conference call:

+13017158592,,97674532669#

Dial:

301-715-8592

Meeting ID: 9, 7, 6, 7, 4, 5, 3, 2, 6, 6, 9

We look forward to talking to you on January 12!

About the National Federation of the Blind

We are the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind people. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams.

National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells Street | Baltimore, MD 21230 |

410-659-9314 |nfb.org

Double Spaced Braille

 Double Spaced Braille List

Contributed by Jerry Price, Assistive Technology Librarian

Double-spaced braille can be a useful tool for new braille readers. Where there would normally be one blank line, double spaced braille uses two blank lines to help isolate different parts of the text. This way, the reader can clearly focus on reading one line at a time. Listed below are all of the double-spaced braille titles we have here at the Library. If you are learning how to read braille, we encourage you to check them out!

JUB00071 Bennett Cerf's Book of Riddles

JUB00046 Two Bad Ants

JUB00115 Do Cowboys Ride Bikes

JUB00127 Curious George

JUB00136 Arthur Lost and Found

JUB00158 A Fish Out of Water

JUB00206 Mr. Gumpy's Outing

JUB00211 Leah's Pony

JUB00234 Hare and the Tortoise

JUB00500 Frog and Toad are Friends

JUB00501 Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

JUB00502 Ira Sleeps Over

JUB00503 Cat in the Hat

JUB00504 Cat in the Hat Comes Back

JUB00505 Squanto and the First Thanksgiving

JUB00506 The Drinking Gourd

JUB00507 No Time for Christmas

JUB00512 Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?

JUB00515 There's a Wocket in My Pocket

JUB00517 Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie

JUB00538 Henry and Mudge: The First Book of Their Adventures

JUB00703 Knots on a Counting Rope 

JUB00707 Riddles and More Riddles!

JUB00708 Tight Times

JUB00709 Know-Nothings Talk Turkey 

JUB00710 Best Way to Play

JUB00711 The Emperor's Birthday Suit

JUB00712 Gus and Grandpa at the Hospital

JUB00713 Here Comes the Strikeout

JUB00714 I Love You All Day Long

JUB00715 If You Give a Pig a Pancake

JUB00716 Kipper

JUB00720 The Princess and the Pea

JUB00722 Sparky and Eddie: The First Day of School

JUB00738 Amelia Bedelia

JUB00740 Stuart Little: Stuart Little Sets Sail

JUB00742 Strike Three Marley

JUB00743 Shrek the Third: Friends and Foes

JUB00745 Pony Crazy

JUB00748 Pets to the Rescue: Brave Norman

JUB00750 Now One Foot, Now the Other

JUB00751 Monsters Inc.: Boo on the Loose

JUB00752 Marley's Big Adventure

JUB00754 Henry and Mudge and the Wild Goose Chase

JUB00756 It's Not Easy Being a Bunny

JUB00757 I Heard Said the Bird

JUB00758 Helen Keller and the Big Storm

JUB00762 Arthur's Christmas

DBL00069 No Thumpin', No Bumpin', No Rumpus Tonight!

DBL00070 Sarah Bear and Sweet Sidney

Director's Corner: Wrapping up 2021

Director's Corner: 

Wrapping up 2021

Contributed by John Owen, Director

This has been a tough year.  Let's just put that upfront.  More than most years, any successes were truly earned through flexibility, resilience, and creativity.  But I don't put the metaphorical pen to paper here to give difficulties any more space than needed.  I want to share what we have overcome together.  

At the beginning of 2021, we were just launching Books on Demand with a handful of patrons on a pilot.  Here at the beginning of 2022, 70% of the books we sent out in December 2021 alone were through Books on Demand.  Overall Books on Demand and BARD accounted for over 60% of our total circulation.   Along with the increase in digital content in both audio and braille, we continue to circulate printed braille and large print materials, and we've seen more books in all formats circulated in 2021 than in the five years.   In addition, we have over 70 patrons using Bookshare memberships through our library.  You, our patrons, have taken advantage of new ways to get the materials you need through our library and open access for yourselves.  Our staff has been working to make sure that you get the books you need, answering your calls for requests, questions, troubleshooting, and sometimes just talking about books and life.  We are optimizing our cataloging and your preferences to make sure that you get the books you want.  

You may have also enjoyed a Technology User Group program or a healthy living program through the University of Maryland Extension.  You may have connected with through programs sponsored by the International Spy Museum or Peabody Conservatory or learned about the marimba through a program for Hispanic Heritage Month.  You may have completed the Summer Reading Challenge and attended online events by the Aquarium or Turtle Dance Music.  You may have talked with or heard our staff speak at conferences or outreach events, both in-person and online.  If you missed any of these and wished you'd been there, please keep checking our website and subscribe to our listserv to find out what new and innovative programming we'll be doing in 2022.  

Are you a college student here in the state of Maryland?  I hope that you are connecting with your Disability Student Services staff on campus and asking them about the Maryland Accessible Textbook Program.  Our MAT team has been fulfilling textbook conversion requests throughout the year, working to help you succeed as students.

The Clyde Shallenberger Recording Studio has resumed safe in-person recording of Marylandia books, and also expanded to volunteers recording in home studios.  We have over 200 books uploaded to BARD which are available to you and to people all over the country.

There is so much to tell, but I'll end this message with this:  we will continue to overcome barriers.   Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  Call us at 410-230-2443 or email us at reference.desk@maryland.gov.   We will continue to listen to you, respond to your needs and draw alongside you as we walk through 2022. 
--

John W. Owen III Director Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled Maryland State Library Agency 415 Park Avenue Baltimore, Maryland 21201-3603  john.owen@maryland.gov  www.lbph.maryland.gov 410-230-2452  (office) 667-209-1560 (cell) Click here to complete a three question customer experience survey.