Spring 2024

What’s New

February was a very exciting month at Talking Books, as the whole of Access Services (including Talking Books) moved to Howell Branch! Access Services Librarian Babak Zarin was also able to visit a few places, including Falls Run Nursing & Rehab in Fredericksburg and Westminster at Lake Ridge in Prince William County, to share information about Talking Books. Access Services is always happy to find time to speak with interested community groups, and you’re more than welcome to reach out to Babak to arrange a visit!

Spring is shaping up to be a more relaxed season as everyone settles into our new location, but there are still things going on at the library. Please see more information--both about the move and happenings at CRRL--below.

Updated Hours and Contact Information

As of Monday, February 5, the Access Services Department is housed at Howell Branch, 806 Lyons Boulevard, Fredericksburg, 22406. Babak and Access Services Assistant Katie Neal have joined the Adult Services staff at Howell and are administering Talking Books and other accessibility programs. 

Access Services continues to be open for in-person visits at Howell Branch, Monday through Thursday, 9-1, and by appointment. The department can be reached Monday through Friday, 9-5, by phone at 540-372-1144, ext. 7454, or by email at talking-books@crrl.org. Talking Books services did not stop during the move, but there may have been a slight delay in mailing materials out. 

The Access Services Department is dedicated to ensuring the library remains accessible to everyone, regardless of specialized or adaptive needs. This includes partnering with the Library of Virginia to maintain the Deaf Culture Digital Library, sending library materials by mail, and offering Talking Books–a free braille and audiobook service for people with low vision, blindness, or a physical, perceptual, reading, or print disability. For more information about Access Services and accessibility at the library, visit librarypoint.org/access-services.

Fiction Bestsellers

• Homecoming by Kate Morton (DB113914)
• The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner (DB113571)
• Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls (DB114958) 
• Hello Beautiful: A Novel by Ann Napolitano (DB113288)
• Dreamland: A Novel by Nicholas Sparks (DB110362)

Nonfiction Bestsellers

• Quietly Hostile: Essays by Samantha Irby (DB115194)
• Enchantment: Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age by Katherine May (DB113624)
• Mission Possible One-Year Devotional: 365 Days of Inspiration for Pursuing Your God-Given Purpose by Tim Tebow (DB114878)
• Daddy Diaries: The Year I Grew Up by Andy Cohen (DB115254)
• The Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee Book by Jerry Seinfield (DB111557)

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.

National Library Service (NLS): The Many Faces of BARD

Every second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m., the NLS Patron Engagement Section hosts The Many Faces of BARD series. Each hourly episode covers one aspect of BARD (the Braille and Audio Reading Download) usage. The March 14 topic will be "Using the Audio Player in BARD Express."

Join the session by going to the Library of Congress’ Zoom link or calling 1 646 828 7666 followed by 161 835 1967 and then 461584. 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 into the call, use the telephone numbers provided.

These sessions are open to all interested parties and will be recorded. If participants do not want to be on the recording, they should refrain from speaking. You can learn more about the series and view recordings of older programs at The Many Faces of Bard website.

Winter Reading Challenge

There are still a couple weeks left to participate in 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 can sign up online. 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 is 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: “Book Prophecy: George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four” (March 15), “The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of Retro Arcades” (April 19), and ”Get Ready for Music on the Steps” (May 31). A full listing of upcoming topics can be found here.

Memory Cafés

CRRL offers two quarterly Memory Cafés for those with early-stage dementia or Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. The first café will focus on trains and will be held at Salem Church Branch on Friday, March 15, 10:30-12:00. The second café will be held at Fredericksburg Branch on Friday, April 19, 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 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



All CRRL branches will be closed Friday, May 3 for staff training; Monday, May 27 for Memorial Day; and Wednesday, June 19 for Juneteenth. Your next Sightlines newsletter will come out in mid-June.

Contact Us

For book requests, to provide feedback, arrange a visit by Access Services staff, or for more information on any of our services, 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.