Read for a Better World: Winter Reading Challenge 2022

 Read for a Better World: 

Winter Reading Challenge

Contributed by LaShawn Myles, Youth Services Librarian

Banner Text: "Read for a Better World: Winter 2022"

The Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled is participating in Beanstack’s Fifth Annual Winter Reading Challenge, sponsored by Lerner Publishing Group. "Read for a Better World" encourages readers of all ages to explore diversity, empathy, and action through literature. Our community has unlimited access to Lerner’s “Read for a Better World” themed books for the month of January through the challenge activities! We challenge our patrons to read at least 600 minutes during the month and keep track of their reading on our Beanstack site.

There are two ways to read and participate.  Select the challenge that best fits you as the reader.

• Winter Read 2022: Read for a Better World, Read Anything, All Ages: A traditional reading challenge with logging badges for minutes or books, which readers can earn by logging their reading for any title, and activity badges, which give readers access to select Lerner e-books from their “Read for a Better World” collection.
• Winter Read 2022: Read for a Better World, Lerner Titles, Age-Specific: New reading list challenge readers with minutes logging badges, which readers earn by logging reading for Lerner e-books hosted directly in Beanstack, and age-specific activity badges. 

The challenge runs from January 1st - 31st.  Sign up today at our Beanstack site:  https://marylandlbph.beanstack.org

Happy Reading!

Technology User Group Meeting: January 8th

 
Technology User Group Meeting:

January 8th

Contributed by Jerry Price, Assistive Technology Training Coordinator 

On Saturday, January 8th, the Technology User Group will have a special presentation by the creators of the Audiojack app.  This smartphone app allows users to mix imagination, art, and sound to generate stories and promote creativity.

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, January 8th, 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, February 12, 10 AM, Getting the Most from your NLS E-Reader

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

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.

Accessible Gaming: Tabletop Roleplaying

 

Accessible Gaming:  Tabletop Roleplaying

Contributed by Matthew Nixon, Business Office Manager

When I’m not working at LBPD paying bills and manning the reference desk, I enjoy reading and playing collaborative storytelling games like Dungeons and Dragons.  So, I was fortunate to attend a recent online convention hosted by Knights of the Braille:

https://knightsofthebraille.com/

And Everyone Games:

https://everyone-games.com/

This convention allowed attendees to play video and tabletop roleplaying games online, learn tools to make gaming more accessible, attend panel discussions and game demonstrations, and help raise money for charity.  Profits from the event went towards developing accessibility options for partially-sighted, blind, and otherwise disabled gamers.

Panels from influencers included the following:

• Introduction to TTRPG’s
• Writing and Playing Disabled Characters
• Accessibility in Video Game Design
• Accessibility in TTRPG Design
• Game Design
• Accommodating Visually Impaired Players at your table
• Running The Game

Many of the games were live-streamed and recorded on YouTube here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE4S3VTwnjUVyieMzmjZ86A

Note for parents and patrons, these recordings feature real people in unscripted situations.  Use your discretion when viewing the material.  LBPD has no affiliation with any of the referenced organizations.

This was an excellent education in accessibility from working with sign language interpreters for the first time to hearing people from diverse communities discuss their challenges with and love of gaming.  I will attend next year’s convention (tentatively scheduled for the beginning of October 2022.)

While researching this article I found LBPD has lots of digital gaming material for our patrons.  I remember some of these books from my childhood and some are more recent.  So if you want to see what we have for games and associated fiction, here are a couple titles to get you started:

The original 1981 Dungeons and Dragons by Gary Gygax DB019628.

The 2014 Dungeons and Dragons Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, and Monster's Manual DB091838, DB091839, and DB091840.

The Young Adventurer series by Jim Zub DB098259, DB098488, DB100316, and DB100317.

Here are 2 series set in the worlds based on Dungeons and Dragons:

The first book in the Dragon lance Chronicles, Dragons of Autumn Twilight DB029171 and the first book in the Legends of  Drizzt series, Homeland DB055948

Though it isn’t a gaming book, here’s J. R. R. Tolkien’s classic epic that made me love fantasy as a child the hobbit DB011497 and the Lord of the Rings trilogy DB010975, DB010976, and DB010977.

Happy gaming.