Winter 2023-2024

What’s New

Fall was busy here at the Talking Book Library. Access Services Librarian Babak Zarin attended the Rappahannock Writers’ Conference and both the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services (ABOS) and the Virginia Library Association’s annual conferences. He helped with a unique acquisition of foreign-language large-print materials as well.

Winter is shaping up so far to be just as active, with more opportunities for outreach and library events. See below for some of the highlights!

Fiction Bestsellers

• Star Wars: The Princess and the Scoundrel by Beth Revis (DB110053)
• Less Is Lost by Andrew Sean Greer (DB110413)
• Other Terrors: An Inclusive Anthology edited by Rena Mason (DB109587)
• Tomorrow in Shanghai and Other Stories by May-lee Chai (DB110718)
• Alternative Alamat: An Anthology; Myths and Legends from the Philippines edited by Paolo Chikiamco (DB110744)

Nonfiction Bestsellers

• Dirtbag, Massachusetts: A Confessional by Isaac Fitzgerald (DB110099)
• Bibi: My Story by Binyamin Netanyahu (DB111370)
• The Spy Who Knew Too Much: An Ex-CIA Officer's Quest Through a Legacy of Betrayal
• by Howard Blum (DB108949)
• Like a Rolling Stone: A Memoir by Jann Wenner (DB110447)
• The Mosquito Bowl: A Game of Life and Death in World War II by Buzz Bissinger (DB110613)

For more popular Talking Book titles, as well as the newest books added to our collection, check out the Talking Book Topics magazine, available bimonthly in digital audio through BARD, by cartridge with subscription, or online at its website. Talking Books users can ask the Access Services Librarian to add any titles of interest to their request lists.

Notifications for Checked-In and Checked-Out Talking Books



Talking Books staff will now send an email notification when a tape is checked in on its return or checked out when mailed out. It is our hope that this will reassure Talking Books users of their books’ status.

Access Services Librarian Babak Zarin asks that any Talking Books users who haven’t provided an email address to consider doing so, and share this information with Talking Books users who don’t get this newsletter. Zarin added, “We really want to make sure everyone knows they have this option available to them.” Please reach out if you wish to receive email notifications and aren’t currently doing so.

NLS Website Updated

The NLS website has a new look! It now features front-page links to Talking Book Topics, Braille Book Review, and International Language Quarterly to help you find (and instantly download!) the latest additions to the collection. It also offers easy access to the NLS catalog, BARD, and the NLS Spanish-language website, as well as enhanced accessibility tools and much more. Be sure to check it out and bookmark it if it looks good! And, if you have a family member or friend who might benefit from NLS’ services, show them the website, too, as it also lists information on how to get started with Talking Books and BARD.

NLS Braille Calendars to Arrive by January

Due to various production issues, distribution of current braille pocket and wall calendars has been significantly delayed. To avoid additional delays, the wall calendars, covering September 2023 through January 2025, are being produced in braille only. Patrons should expect to receive the calendars by the end of December 2023.

In subsequent years, the wall calendars will be produced in print/braille. Pocket calendars are produced in braille only. Once you have subscribed to receive a calendar, you will automatically get one each year.

NLS Magazine on Cartridge (MOC) Delays



NLS also continues to experience delays in MOC distribution due to a back order of MOC shipping supplies and a malfunction of the production system. Customers should expect delays of up to four weeks. The production system has since been replaced, and NLS is working with a distributor to fully replenish stock.

Send Back Old Cartridges

The supply of tapes and cases available for checkout has started to get a little low. To avoid a possible shortage, please send back any books you’ve finished. Access Services Librarian Babak Zarin: “Talking Book users can keep a book as long as they need to read it, but it really helps us to keep things running smoothly if books are in fact sent back when you’re done.” He added that if there are particular books a Talking Book user wants to have with them at all times, such as the Bible, he is happy to make a specialty tape for them to keep.

Hoopla Streaming Service Now Available!

CRRL now offers hoopla Digital, which offers a catalog of over 1 million audiobooks, eBooks, videos, and more for downloading and streaming on mobile devices and computers. Access up to five items a month, with no holds, waitlists, or late fees. 

All those with CRRL cards, including Talking Books users, can register for a hoopla account by visiting hoopladigital.com or using the free hoopla app (which can be found in the Apple store and the Google Play store). They will be asked to enter their library account number and pin and then prompted to create a login and password. Guidance about specific devices can be found at this link, and a video about signing up is available here. No Vimeo account is required to view the video.

Winter Reading Challenge

The community is looking forward to this year’s Adult Winter Reading Challenge! Running January 1 through March 31, all Talking Books members with CRRL library cards are welcome to participate, and sign-up begins December 21. Talking Books read between January 1 and March 31 count as part of the challenge. This year’s prize for reading at least 5 books will be a special pen. Learn more about the challenge at librarypoint.org/winter.

A CRRL library card is required to participate. If you live in the library’s service area, or a county with which we have a reciprocal borrowing agreement, and do not have a library card or have lost yours, you can apply for one at librarypoint.org/card. Your library card barcode will be emailed to you, and your physical card will be mailed. You can also ask the Access Services Librarian to register you. 

CRRL offers reading challenges throughout the year through the accessible Beanstack website software and mobile app. Register for a Beanstack account using the Beanstack Tracker App or Beanstack website, then sign up for specific challenges, including the Winter Reading Challenge. You can log reading anytime through the app or website, but only reading logged during a challenge period will count towards that challenge.

Lunch & Learn

Every Friday from 12:00-1:00, CRRL offers a free, virtual class series where people can explore new ideas and interests. You can watch classes live at facebook.com/crrlnews. No Facebook account is needed. Highlights of the upcoming quarter include: “Rappahannock Area Health District” (January 5), “Preventing Frauds and Scams Against Seniors” (January 26), and ”African American Women in Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, and Stafford History” (February 23). The full list of upcoming topics can be found here.

Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Groups



In partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association, CRRL hosts two monthly Alzheimer’s caregiver support groups, meeting the first Wednesday of each month from 5:00-6:00 at Cooper Branch in Colonial Beach and the third Tuesday of each month from 1:00-2:30 at Howell Branch in southern Stafford. You can find a full listing of meetings by clicking here.

Time with a Therapy Dog



This is a program for adults and teens in grades 7-12 with disabilities, along with their caregivers, who may read or relax with certified therapy dogs. Time with a Therapy Dog is offered in person at Porter and Howell branches in Stafford. Sign up to reserve time at the branch. To learn more and get the full schedule, click here. This program is a partnership with Blue Gray Therapy Dogs.

Sensory Time

Sensory Time is a monthly early literacy class specially developed for children and youth of all ages who have autism or other developmental challenges. Presented at a preschool level of development, Sensory Time has stories and activities that allow children to develop the skills and practices they need to become ready to read, all set in a quieter environment with lights lowered, distractions minimized, a smaller class size, and specially trained staff.

Sensory Time is held at Howell Branch. Sign up for classes here. Note that, while an adult must always attend with children, we ask that you please register only the child participating.

Upcoming Holidays and Your Next Issue of Sightlines



Access Services will be unavailable December 22, and all branches will be closed December 23 through 25 for Christmas, December 30 through January 1 for the New Year, January 15 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and February 19 for George Washington Day. Because mail carriers are overloaded during the holidays, we strongly encourage all Talking Book users to be patient regarding their delivery. We also encourage users to consider returning their materials a little early due to probable delays. Your next Sightlines newsletter will come out in mid-March.

Contact Us

For book requests, to share a review, or for more information on any of our services, contact CRRL Access Services Librarian Babak Zarin at 540-372-1144, extension 7054; toll free at 1-800-628-4807, or email talking-books@crrl.org.