Spring 2023

Winter turned out to be an exciting time at Talking Books! First, we discovered that the Library Administration Center had suffered water damage over the holidays, resulting in a bit of a service shuffle. Then, the first set of Braille eReaders arrived (see below for more on that). Meanwhile, outreach efforts have continued, and Access Services Librarian Babak Zarin has been sharing presentations on Talking Books and accessibility services widely. What a way to kick off the year!

Updated Hours and Contact Information

Access Services’ hours of operation are:

• In-Person: Monday through Thursday, 9:00-1:00, and by appointment on Fridays
• Email and Phone: Monday through Friday, 9:00-5:00

To make an appointment, please call 540-372-1144, ext. 7054, or email talking-books@crrl.org. Our address is 125 Olde Greenwich Drive, Suite 155, Fredericksburg, 22408. We are adjacent to the Library Administration Center. If you visit during in-person hours, please ring the doorbell. Sometimes, staff are working in our backroom, and we won’t know if you’re at the door. You can also get directions, hours, and links to information on some of our services here.

Fiction Bestsellers

• Good Company by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney (DB 103082)
• The Homewreckers by Mary Kay Andrews (DB 107938)
• First Person Singular: Stories by Haruki Murakami (DB 102982) 
• The Lightning Rod: A Zig & Nola Novel by Brad Meltzer (DB 107287)
• The Recovery Agent: A Gabriela Rose Novel by Janet Evanovich (DB 107814)

Nonfiction Bestsellers

• Hunt, Gather, Parent: What Ancient Cultures Can Teach Us About the Lost Art of Raising Happy, Helpful Little Humans by Michaeleen Doucleff (DB 102823)
• Beautiful Things: A Memoir by Hunter Biden (DB 102978)
• Lady Bird Johnson: Hiding in Plain Sight by Julia E. Sweig (DB 102825)
• How to Do the Work: Recognize Your Patterns, Heal from Your Past, and Create Your Self by Nicole LePera (DB 102943)
• The Light of Days: The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler's Ghettos by Judy Batalion (DB 102986)

Braille eReaders Have Arrived

The Talking Book Library of Virginia announced that it is now part of the NLS eReader Program. The eReaders are palm-sized and can hang from a lanyard. You can connect it to wifi and download books directly from BARD, or, if you do not use the internet, books can be sent to you on the NLS cartridge. The cartridges can be connected to the eReader to copy and then be read aloud.

To receive an eReader, please contact Access Services Librarian Babak Zarin at 540-372-1144 extension 7054; toll free at 1-800-628-4807, or email talking-books@crrl.org. Babak will add your name to the list of those who have requested one. EReaders are being sent out as they become available in order of request. You may retain the eReader as long as you are a customer of the library.

Babak would love insight from those who use the device because it’s new, so the more you share, the easier it becomes for Talking Books librarians to learn how to help!

A New Catalog for NLS

The National Library Service has created a new catalog for Talking Books and BARD users! The catalog can be found at nlscatalog.loc.gov and boasts a cleaner design and advanced search functionality, including optimized searching and cross-searching via links by author, subject, and format and the ability to submit requests for titles to NLS. It’s well worth exploring!

Spanish-language Website Launched

The NLS Communications and Outreach Section recently announced the launch of the NLS Spanish-language website. This new, 24-page site provides general program information, lists of resources in Spanish, and an easy way to access Spanish-language materials, which will be useful to both current and prospective users of Talking Books and BARD. It can be visited by clicking a link at the top right of the main NLS website homepage or by going to www.loc.gov/nls/es. Take a look and share with your favorite Spanish-language readers!

BARD Now Available on Blindshell Classic 2

Users of the Blindshell Classic 2, an accessible cell phone for the visually impaired, can now install and use BARD. You can learn more, both about the Blindshell Classic 2 and how to use BARD on it, by visiting blindshellusa.com/using-bard-mobile-app-on-the-blindshell-classic-2.

The Many Faces of BARD

Every second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. the NLS Patron Engagement Section hosts their monthly program, The Many Faces of BARD series. The series lasts for one hour, and covers one aspect of BARD (the Braille and Audio Reading Download) usage. The session can be joined by going to the Library of Congress’ Zoom link or calling 1-669-245-5252 followed by 161 892 7125 and then 570141. If you wish to speak, you may request to do so by raising your hand electronically. On a PC, press Alt Y to raise and lower your hand. On a Mac, press Option Y. If you are dialed in on a telephone, press Star (*) 9. To mute or unmute yourself on a PC, press Alt A; on a Mac, press Command Shift A; and, if you are dialed in on a telephone, press Star (*) 6. If you choose to dial in to the call, use the telephone numbers provided.

These sessions are open to all interested parties. This program will be recorded. If participants do not want to be on the recording, they should refrain from speaking.

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:

• “Circadian Rhythms - Our Inner Clocks” (March 17)
• “Upcycling” (April 28)
• ”Creatures in Our Homes” (May 19)

A full listing of upcoming topics can be found here.

Memory Café

CRRL offers a quarterly Memory Café for those with early-stage dementia or Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. This quarter’s café will focus on spring and will be held at Salem Church Branch on Friday, March 17, 10:30-12:00.

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 Stafford. You can find a full listing of meetings by clicking here.

Internet Archive Access for Those with Reading Impairments

A popular website, the Internet Archive is a free digital library that provides public access to millions of books, films, TV shows, music, and more. Though a frequent resource for researchers, not many are aware that it offers speciality collections for those who have disabilities that make reading difficult. This includes the Books for People with Print Disabilities collection, the National Federation of the Blind collection, and the Open Library. You can access these collections by signing up for a free Internet Archive or Open Library account. We hope this offers you even more books!

Upcoming Holidays and Your Next Issue of Sightlines

All CRRL branches will be closed May 29 for Memorial Day and June 19 for Juneteenth. Your next Sightlines newsletter will come out in mid-June.

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.