What a busy spring it was here at Access Services! We’re happy to say all the presentations we shared at Talking Books went well. You can find a recording of the Lunch and Learn presentation, featuring a discussion of Talking Books and BARD, at facebook.com/crrlnews/videos/1019265251933711. You can also find recordings from the Virtual Blindness Resource Fair, co-hosted by five of Virginia’s Talking Book libraries, at the Virginia Beach Public Library YouTube channel.

Access Services Assistant Katie Neal--who helps check in and check out all those books--would like to remind everyone to please avoid writing notes on the white boxes that cartridges come in, as that can damage the box. Instead, please write the note on a slip of paper or the back of the name card and put that inside the box. You can also call or email us.

This year is the 90th anniversary of Talking Books! In honor of that, the National Library Service is hosting events all year long. These include messages from Congress, the Librarian of Congress, and the Director of the National Library Service as well as events like concerts. You can find all of the event information and links to recordings at loc.gov/nls/90th-anniversary.The 90th anniversary page also offers a historical perspective on Talking Books, including a timeline marking significant events and articles on the role World War One-blinded veterans played in the founding of the National Library Service.

There are several groups of people who qualify for BARD and Talking Books services. These include those who are blind, deaf-blind, and visually handicapped; as well as those who have a limited ability to read due to physical disability (such as extreme weakness, missing limbs, or an inability to focus) and those with print/reading disabilities such as dyslexia or dysgraphia.

In the past, Talking Book librarians have had a limited ability to certify these groups for service, but that has changed. We can now certify everyone who qualifies. Because of that, we’d like to encourage you to help us spread the word. If you know someone who qualifies, and might find Talking Books or BARD helpful, send them our way!

Summer Reading runs June 1-August 31. Talking Books members with CRRL library cards are welcome to participate, as all Talking Books read during Summer Reading count as part of the challenge. If you live in CRRL’s service area and don’t have a library card, or a county with which we have a reciprocal borrowing agreement, you can get one at librarypoint.org/card. Your library card barcode will be emailed to you and your physical card will be mailed to you.

Participants can enter into raffle drawings for weekly prizes and end-of-summer grand prizes, earning tickets with each book logged. This year Braille prizes will also be available for those in Grades K-5 and Grades 6-8, and large print and audiobook prizes available for adults. Visit librarypoint.org/summer or call Babak at (540) 372-1144, extension 7054 to register.

Did you know we are starting a circulating Braille collection? The items will live with Talking Books at the Library Administration Center, and will be made available for checkout through CRRL’s catalog. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on how that goes, and we look forward to helping spread knowledge about Braille though the area.

If you have gently used, still in good condition Braille books and assistive items (except for old equipment) that you’re looking to donate, then you’re welcome to contact us at Talking Books to do so. The CRRL Friends of the Library also offers sales of large print titles and audiobooks (some on cassette, some on CD). You can learn more about them at crrlfriends.org.

The Talking Books staff join CRRL staff in offering a quarterly Memory Cafe for those with dementia or Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. This quarter, Memory Cafe will be summer-themed, and will be held on Friday, June 11, 10:30-12:00. Join the webinar by visiting meet.google.com/tgh-uxdh-rrw or by calling +1 402-645-1252 and entering PIN 351 833 522.

CRRL has developed a free, virtual class series called “Lunch and Learn,” where people can explore new ideas and interests during their lunch break. Classes are held Fridays, 12:00-1:00. You can join at facebook.com/crrlnews. No Facebook account needed.

This summer there are two sessions that may be of particular interest:

June 18, 12:00-1:00 - Join CRRL librarians and the Alzheimer Association to learn more about the basics of dementia and Alzheimer’s, a disease with global impact affecting more than twenty-one million individuals and caregivers in the United States

June 25, 12:00-1:00 - Join CRRL Librarians and the Yoga Foundation of Fredericksburg for a demo of Chair Yoga, a supportive and accessible yoga class with the use of a chair. Poses will include both sitting and standing with an emphasis on mobility, stability, strength, and balance. Class will include meditation and breathing exercises and is accessible for all experience levels.

We’ll be reading What You Wish For by Katherine Center (DB 99569).

What You Wish For follows Samantha Casey, a school librarian hoping her new job at a new school in Texas will give her a second chance at life. Then Duncan Carpenter--who Samantha knew from her old life in California--is hired as the new school principal. This news brings mixed feelings for Samantha, who thinks it’s great for the school but horrible for her. Life has changed Duncan too though, and as the situation spirals out of control, both have to figure out who they are and, more importantly, who they are to each other.

 

An uplifting summer romance by a New York Times-bestselling author, What You Wish For has received great praise for its timely message on what it means to choose joy in harsh times.

We will be discussing this book virtually on Thursday, July 15, from 11:30-12:30 using Google Meet, which has been recommended by the Commonwealth of Virginia, and is considered an accessible platform. Join the discussion by visiting meet.google.com/uoh-tnqs-hpa or by calling +1 304-402-6161 and entering PIN ‪347 858 750‬#

We’ve heard from some of you who normally get Sightlines on cartridges that it’s been rough getting it as pandemic delays have impacted both the making and receiving of cartridges. We deeply empathize, and appreciate hearing that you’ve been looking forward to getting Sightlines.

While older editions are available at librarypoint.org/sightlines, both as playable sound files and as downloadable files that screen readers can read, we thought we’d reshare here a few highlights from our past few editions to help you feel up to date:

We hope these highlights help you to feel caught up!

Our department will be closed on May 30 and 31 for Memorial Day; June 19 for Juneteenth; and July 4 and 5 for Independence Day. The next Sightlines will come out in August.

For book reservations, to share a review, or for more information, contact Access Services Librarian Babak Zarin at 540-372-1144 extension 7054; toll free at 1-800-628-4807, or email babak.zarin@crrl.org.