Fall 2022

Summer has been busy here at Talking Books! We’ve been helping librarians with Author Talks and virtual programs in addition to our normal work of getting you your favorite books.

In October, Access Services Librarian Babak Zarin will be presenting at the Virginia Library Association’s annual conference and will be among the Talking Books librarians helping to run a booth to share information about Talking Books with librarians from across the state.

Updated Hours and Contact Information

Access Services’ new 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. For those who want to come by and visit us during in-person hours, please ring the doorbell on your arrival. Sometimes, CRRL’s Talking Books staff are working in our backroom preparing books for customers, 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

• The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner (DB 102587) 
• Later by Stephen King (DB 102648)
• We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker (DB 102654)
• Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro (DB 102764)
• Dark Sky: A Joe Pickett Novel by C.J. Box (DB102652)

Nonfiction Bestsellers

• Chasing History: A Kid in the Newsroom by Carl Bernstein (DB 106783)
• The Deepest South of All: True Stories from Natchez, Mississippi by Richard Grant (DB 106329)
• Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brené Brown (DB 106540)
• The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity by David Graeber and David Wengrow
• (DB 105912)
• Enough Already: Learning to Love the Way I Am Today by Valerie Bertinelli (DB 106747)

Free Rapid COVID-19 Test Kits

It is now possible to order rapid COVID-19 test kits through the postal service as part of a federal program to provide free at-home tests to every residential address and residential post office box in the United States. Residents at each address can order up to 3 sets of tests, with each set containing 8 tests. Each test set will be sent in two separate packages containing 4 tests in each package. A separate order number and tracking number is provided for each package. There is no cost for shipping.

Tests can be ordered online at covidtests.gov; by phone Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 8:00 pm at 1-888-677-1199; or by email: DIAL@usaginganddisability.org.

CRRL’s New Vox Books

The library has recently added a selection of VOX books to its collection. VOX Books, which are geared towards youth, have an audio reader attached to the front cover of the book which is controlled by a push button that plays an audio recording of the book, allowing readers to listen and read along at the same time. This can be a great way for those who have difficulties reading to still read along with a print book–or to read along with their children or grandchildren! 

Find a list of Vox books here, and use your CRRL card to check them out.

Lunch & Learn

CRRL offers a free, virtual class series where people can explore new ideas and interests during their lunch hour. Classes are held on Fridays, 12:00-1:00. You can watch classes live at facebook.com/crrlnews, and no Facebook account is needed.

Highlights of the upcoming quarter include:

• "Who Do You Think You Are? Getting Started Looking for Your Family” (September 9)
• “Why Storytelling? Meet the Rappahannock Rap Storytelling Guild” (September 23) 
• “Nutrition Guide for IBS” (November 4)

You can find a full listing of upcoming Lunch and Learn class topics by clicking here.

Memory Café

CRRL’s Talking Books staff and other departmental staff offer a quarterly Memory Café for those with early-stage dementia or Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. This quarter’s café will focus on autumn and will be held at Salem Church Branch on Friday, September 16, 10:30-12:00.

Help Pick Winter Reading Challenge Prizes

CRRL's 6th annual Adult Winter Reading Challenge will run from January through March 2023. This year, everyone gets to vote on what this year’s prize should be! Options include a tote bag, an insulated lunch bag, a coffee shop gift card, a cozy blanket, and book-themed playing cards. If you’d like to vote, contact Access Services Librarian Babak Zarin with your choice. Voting runs September 6-16.

NLS Kicks Off The Many Faces of BARD series

The National Library Service's (NLS) Patron Engagement Section now offers a monthly program called The Many Faces of BARD. Each episode runs on the second Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m., lasts for one hour, and covers one aspect of BARD (the Braille and Audio Reading Download) usage. 

The sessions are open to all Talking Books patrons. They can be joined by going to the Library of Congress’ Zoom link on a computer or by calling 1-669-245-5252. Upon connecting, participants will be placed in a virtual waiting room until the program begins. When they enter the room, they will be on mute, and they should remain on mute unless the host calls upon them to speak. At that time, they may unmute by using Alt-A on a computer keyboard or star (*) 6 if dialing in by phone.

All Many Faces of BARD programs will be recorded. If participants do not want to be on the recording, they should refrain from speaking.

Upcoming Holidays and Your Next Issue of Sightlines

All CRRL branches will be closed September 5 for Labor Day and November 23-25 for Thanksgiving. Your next Sightlines newsletter will come out in mid-December.