Spring is shaping up to be exciting. Access Services Librarian Babak Zarin will be presenting at academic and research conferences on the newly launched Virginia Deaf Culture Digital Library and on accessibility services during and post COVID-19 throughout March and April, as well as trying to do some in-person outreach, COVID permitting. But there’s much more happening as well!

The Sightlines Book Group now meets on the 3rd Wednesdays of each month, from 5:30-6:30. The meetings continue to be hosted through Google Meet, as are other Central Rappahannock Regional Library virtual book groups. You can see the group’s chosen books and specific dates below, as well as online. We’re enjoying talking about books with you more frequently!

In March, we will discuss the New York Times bestseller, The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion, by Fannie Flagg (DB 7782). Mrs. Sookie Poole has just married off the last of her daughters and is looking forward to relaxing and perhaps traveling with her husband, Earle. The only thing left to contend with is her mother, the formidable Lenore Simmons Krackenberry. Then one day, Sookie discovers a shocking secret about her mother's past that calls into question everything she thought she knew about herself, her family, and her future.

We will be discussing this book virtually on Wednesday, March 16, from 5:30-6:30, using Google Meet. Join the discussion by visiting meet.google.com/uoq-gqcf-zzj or calling 1-385-347-0660 and dialing PIN: ‪133 753 749‬#

In April, we will discuss The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, by Taylor Jenkins Reid (DB 88665). Monique Grant, a reporter for Vivant magazine, has been selected to interview Evelyn Hugo, a reclusive former star, who is auctioning some of her famous gowns to raise money for a breast cancer charity. Monique is confused as to why Evelyn chose her, but, when Monique meets her, Evelyn reveals she has no interest in giving an interview but instead wants Monique to write her life story. Monique agrees and learns more about herself in the process. 

We will be discussing this book virtually on Wednesday, April 21, from 5:30-6:30, using Google Meet. Join the discussion by visiting meet.google.com/uoq-gqcf-zzj or calling 1-385-347-0660 and dialing PIN: ‪133 753 749‬#

For May, we will discuss Persuasion, by Jane Austen (DB 10475). Anne Elliot is a young Englishwoman whose family moves to lower their expenses and reduce debt by renting their home to an admiral and his wife. The wife's brother, Navy Captain Frederick Wentworth, was engaged to Anne previously, but the engagement was broken when Anne was "persuaded" by her friends and family to end their relationship. Now Anne and Captain Wentworth, both still single and unattached, meet again, setting the scene for a second, well-considered chance at love.

We will be discussing this book virtually on Wednesday, May 18, from 5:30-6:30, using Google Meet. Join the discussion by visiting meet.google.com/uoq-gqcf-zzj or calling 1-385-347-0660 and dialing PIN: ‪133 753 749‬#

CRRL is happy to announce the launch of the Virginia Deaf Culture Digital Library, the result of a two-year collaboration with the Library of Virginia. We hope that this resource will grow in popularity and help meet the needs of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, both in our area and throughout the state. You can check out the library at deaflibva.org. If you are interested in helping to grow and develop the library, please contact Babak Zarin.

CRRL offers a free, virtual class series called “Lunch & Learn,” where people can explore new ideas and interests during their lunch breaks. Classes are held Fridays, 12:00-1:00. You can watch live at facebook.com/crrlnews, and no Facebook account is needed. Highlights of the upcoming quarter include: All About Access on March 18, Alzheimer’s Association on May 13, and World War II at the Movies on May 27. You can find a full listing of the Lunch & Learn class topics by clicking here.

The Talking Books staff join CRRL staff in offering a quarterly Memory Café for those with early-stage dementia or Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. This quarter, the Café will focus on St. Patrick’s Day and will be held in person at Salem Church Branch on Friday, March 18, 10:30 to 12:00.

Those with CRRL cards are eligible to use Libby, the mobile app for CRRL’s online collection, provided by the vendor OverDrive. This past year, OverDrive partnered with Fablee--an accessibility platform powered by people with disabilities--to interview blind and low-vision users directly and hear their feedback on Libby’s user experience. Based on this information, OverDrive made several major improvements, including offering stronger screen reader support, adding a read-aloud feature called “Read From Here,” and the ability to adjust text size, readback speed, and the lighting setting of the app.

We hope that these updates will help those of you using Libby have an excellent experience! If you don’t already have a CRRL card for Libby, you can click here to apply for one.

NLS announced that Large Print subscribers to Talking Book Topics (TBT)--a bimonthly publication that announces the latest additions to the Talking Books collection nationwide-- will not be receiving it in print, due to ongoing supply chain issues. NLS is exploring other printing options, as the shortages are expected to continue through 2022.

Readers can access all editions of Talking Book Topics in HTML and PDF. The HTML format has direct links to BARD for downloading or adding books to wish lists in BARD. The PDF format has printable forms you can mail to us to order books. Those receiving TBT in audio formats on cartridge, BARD, and BARD Mobile will continue to receive it in those formats.

On behalf of the Talking Books library, we strongly encourage large print subscribers to try one of these non-print formats and to let us know if you wish to switch over permanently.

An Upcoming Holiday and Your Next Issue of Sightlines

Access Services will be closed on Monday, May 30, for Memorial Day. The next Sightlines will come out mid-May 2022.

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.

Anyone wishing to receive Sightlines can visit this link, enter their email address, and click Sign Up.