Talking Books Library News

Xavier Society for the Blind

By Alicia Waters | March 10, 2020

Xavier Society for the Blind provides religious, spiritual, and inspirational reading materials in braille and audio. They support blind and visually impaired people in learning about, developing and practicing their faith. In 2019, Xavier Society transitioned to digital Talking Book format and now patrons can listen to their books on the talking book machines provided for free by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS). They have a catalog of over 1,800 wide-ranging titles, in braille and audio including contemporary titles by popular authors, The Bible, biographies of saints, and theological dissertations.

To learn more about their offerings or to browse the catalogue, please visit Xavier Society for the Blind or call them at 212 473-7800 or 800 867-9193.

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Digital Talking Books Relating to the Lenten Season

By Alicia Waters | February 27, 2020

The Xavier Society for the Blind has free audio books for the Lenten season which can be played in the Talking Book machines provided by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS). If you’d like information about these titles, or would like to order any, please reply to info@xaviersocietyfortheblind.org or call 800-637-9193.

Finding Jesus: Living Through Lent with John’s Gospel by Gerard O’Collins, SJ (DBX0153): Meditations from the Gospel of John containing essays about Jesus. The Jesus of these essays in not the serene figure of some holy pictures. He knocks, questions, challenges, heals, suffers, and urges a choice from everyone he touches.

Daily Gospel Meditations for Lent: The Christian Dilemma by Isaias Powers, CP (DBX6007): Prayers and meditations focusing on the practical concerns of the first Christians: how to respond to people who ask for help.??????? (Also available in braille).

Lent, Holy Week, and Easter by John Baldovin, SJ (DBX0981): Award-winning professor and world-renowned theologian Fr. John Baldovin, SJ discusses the significance of Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. First, you will look at the history of Lent. You will look at its origins, tracing how it has come to be celebrated as a 40-day season. After looking at the practices and spiritual meaning of Lent, you will then look at Palm Sunday and Holy Week, paying special attention to the Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday). Finally, you will learn about the 50-day season of Easter, including the Sundays of Ascension and Pentecost.

Xavier Society for the Blind, Delivering Faith and Inspiration in Braille and Audio free to blind and visually impaired individuals worldwide.

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Dad Builds Custom Video Game Controller For His Daughter

By Alicia Waters | February 24, 2020

From NPR, National Public Radio

Rory Steel’s daughter can’t use many video game controllers because of a physical condition. So her father made one himself for 9-year-old Ava to play with.

Read the Full Story

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Black History Month Audiobooks

By Alicia Waters | February 7, 2020

Celebrate Black History Month February 1-29, with some great audiobooks from the following authors.

The Water Dance by Ta-Nehisi Coates (DB 96729) Adult reading

Born into bondage, Hiram Walker is robbed of all memory of his mother when she is sold. But Hiram is blessed with a mysterious power. This power saves him when he almost drowns, and he knows he must escape the only life he has ever known. Violence. Commercial audiobook. 2019.

Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson (DB 96652) Adult reading

Sixteen-year-old Melody enters her coming-of-age ceremony wearing the custom-made dress her mother Iris never got to wear–due to her pregnancy. As the families of Melody’s parents gather for the ceremony, their individual stories are revealed. Strong language and descriptions of sex. Bestseller. Commercial audiobook. 2019.

Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi (DB 89293) Adult reading

A historian traces the history of anti-black racist ideas throughout American history by focusing on five notable intellectuals: Cotton Mather, Thomas Jefferson, William Lloyd Garrison, W. E. B. DuBois, and Angela Davis. Analyzes the insidious impact of racist ideas on government policies. Some strong language. 2016.

Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges (DB 52540) Grades 5-7

Ruby Bridges recounts her experiences as the six-year-old first African American to integrate an all-white school in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1960. She also discusses her reactions to the chants and the jeers and how that year changed her. For grades 3-6 and older readers. 1999.

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly (DB 86234) Grades 6-9

Daughter of a NASA engineer profiles the black women who worked for NASA, and its predecessor NACA, as human computers. Discusses their lives prior to joining NACA/NASA, the challenges they faced due to gender and race discrimination, and their impact on the space program. Basis for the 2016 movie.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by Bryan Mealer and William Kamkwamba (DB 72673) Grades 9-12

Memoir of Malawi youth William, a school dropout who was inspired by a library book to build the first windmill in his village. Describes growing up on a farm without electricity, surviving famine, recycling scraps into a windmill to generate power, and inspiring others. Alex Award. 2009.

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Music Is for Everyone

By Alicia Waters | January 29, 2020

Did you know that the National Library Service, NLS provides free scores, instruction and music appreciation in braille, large print and audio? People who are blind, have a visual impairment or physical disability can borrow music scores, books about music, and instructional recordings from the NLS Music Section. All materials are sent postage-free mail or are available on BARD, the Braille and Audio Reading Download site. If you are interested in receiving materials from the NLS free music library service, you may contact them at 1-800-424-8567 or email nlsm@loc.gov. You can also explore all they have to offer on the NLS Music Section website.

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12-Year-Old Florida Boy Creates Video Game for Blind Children

By Alicia Waters | January 22, 2020

From ABC 7 Eye Witness News

VALRICO, Fla. — Rome Nardin closed his eyes and created a video game.

The 12-year-old video game designer from Valrico, Florida, calls his creation “Please Listen,” WFTS-TV reported. It’s a video game for blind and visually impaired children.

“I learned that it’s actually harder to make a game than you think,” he said. “It took me about one or two weeks. I was closing my eyes, going through the levels, seeing if they work or not.”

Not only did Rome code the game for a school science fair project, he narrates the game, guiding the player up, down and around fun obstacles. Considering that Rome didn’t learn how to speak until he was three makes that ever more impressive. Rome had severe hearing loss as a child. He still wears hearing aids. “The fact that he felt comfortable enough to verbalize an entire game is amazing to me,” said Rome’s mother, Amy Nardin. Rome knows what it’s like to feel left out of things.

“I wanted everyone to be included in something great,” he said.

Audio and Video here

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Federal Grant Helps NIU Revolutionize the Way Braille is Taught

By Alicia Waters | January 22, 2020

“With the help of a federal grant, the Northern Illinois University is revolutionizing the way braille is taught. More than 5,000 teachers of students with visual impairments from across the country have completed the online course developed and hosted at NIU with support from the U.S. Department of Education.” Read the Full Article

From NIU Today

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Assistive Technology Users Can Get a Free Windows 10 Upgrade

By Alicia Waters | January 15, 2020

“Support for Windows 7 is ending but assistive technology users don’t need to panic. Microsoft brought a way for people using Windows 7 and assistive technologies to upgrade to Windows 10 for free.”

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