Talking Books Library News

Aspiring Leaders Internship Program

By Alicia Waters | February 1, 2022

The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), supported by the National Library for the Blind Endowment, sponsors a paid internship that offers legally blind individuals the opportunity to gain work experience and explore career options working in the areas of collections building, program delivery, and business oversight and management. Application details can be found at www.loc.gov/nls/about/internship-program [loc.gov]. The deadline for the Summer 2022 session is March 1. All interns will work remotely.

For more information, please contact:
Erica Vaughns
Head, Administrative Services
NLSInternships@loc.gov

Topics: Employment, News & Info | No Comments »

Talking Books Library Book Discussion

By Alicia Waters | January 31, 2022

Join Talking Books Library staff and members for a lively virtual discussion on selected books. Book discussions will take place every other month on the 4th Wednesday of the month from 2 – 3 pm via Zoom. If a book title has no available hard copies, you can request a duplicate copy by calling the Talking Books Library staff at (401)574-9310 or by emailing talking.books@olis.ri.gov or you may download the title from BARD.

Talking Books Discussion schedule

You may REGISTER here to receive the Zoom link and phone numbers or call (401)574-9310, or you can email talking.books@olis.ri.gov.

Topics: Books to Read, Programs | No Comments »

Talking Book Topics Jan/Feb

By Alicia Waters | January 25, 2022

Due to significant and worsening supply-chain issues and worldwide paper shortages, the large-print edition of Talking Book Topics (TBT) January–February 2022 will not be printed.

Members can access six other formats in which Talking Book Topics can be read and enjoyed:

· HTML, www.loc.gov/nls/tbt [loc.gov], linking to BARD for downloading or adding books to wish lists

· PDF, www.loc.gov/nls/tbt [loc.gov], containing a printable order form

· Audio cartridge, which comes with a print order form

· BARD audio magazine, downloadable to cartridge or to BARD Mobile wish list

· Braille Book Review’s TBT Abridged section in hardcopy braille

· Braille Book Review’s TBT Abridged section as a BRF downloadable through BARD or from www.loc.gov/nls/bbr [loc.gov]

Members can also learn about the latest titles added to BARD through the “Recently added books and magazines” link on the BARD website or the “Recently added to BARD” feature on the “Get Books” tab on the BARD Mobile app.

Topics: Books to Read, News & Info | No Comments »

Braille Book Review in braille

By Alicia Waters | January 21, 2022

The November–December 2021 issue of Braille Book Review in braille completed shipping today. It may be several weeks before it reaches patrons and libraries due to continued postal delays, but patrons can access it immediately in BRF on BARD and in HTML at https://loc.gov/nls/bbr [loc.gov].

The January–February 2022 issue is projected to ship the second week in March. We apologize for the delays and are working with the vendor to return to our regular schedule with the March–April issue. The large-print edition continues to ship on time.

We appreciate your patience.

National Library Service NLS

Topics: Accessibility, News & Info | No Comments »

The Many Faces of BARD, February 9 at 7 pm

By Alicia Waters | January 20, 2022

The topic for the February 9, 2023, Many Faces of BARD program will be BARD Express. The program will begin at 7:00 p.m. eastern time and last for one hour. This program will be recorded.

The session will begin with a discussion of new BARD Express features and a demo of the upcoming new version release. The remainder of the time will be spent answering questions about the presentation or other questions related to BARD usage.

The session can be joined by going to https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1618927125?pwd=QUxvaG1hRnRQU2E3Y2MxK01zZUpjQT09 [loc.zoomgov.com].

Remember that the meeting is recorded. Do not speak if you do not wish to be on the recording. If you wish to speak, you may request to do so by raising your hand. On a PC, press Alt Y to toggle raising and lowering your hand. On a Mac Press Option Y and on a landline, press star 9. To mute or unmute yourself on a PC, press Alt A; on a Mac, press Command-Shift A; and on a landline, press Star 6. If you choose to dial in to the call, use the telephone numbers provided below. The Zoom.gov [zoom.gov] ID will not work with standard Zoom.us.

The complete Zoom invitation is below.

Join Zoom Meeting [loc.zoomgov.com]

One tap mobile: US: +16692545252,,1618927125# or +16469641167,,1618927125#

Meeting URL: https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1618927125?pwd=QUxvaG1hRnRQU2E3Y2MxK01zZUpjQT09 [loc.zoomgov.com]

Meeting ID: 161 892 7125

Passcode: 570141

Join by Telephone for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location.

Dial:

+1 669 254 5252 US (San Jose)

+1 646 964 1167 US (US Spanish Line)

+1 646 828 7666 US (New York)

+1 415 449 4000 US (US Spanish Line)

+1 551 285 1373 US

+1 669 216 1590 US (San Jose)

Topics: Accessibility, Digital Update, Programs | No Comments »

Talking Times Newsletter Winter 2021

By Alicia Waters | January 10, 2022

If you haven’t received your copy of the Talking Times Newsletter Winter 2021 yet, we apologize for the delay and hope to be back on track with the next issue for Spring 2022. You may view the Winter 2021 issue as well as back issues at the link provided above. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Talking Books Library staff at (401)574-9310.

Topics: News & Info | No Comments »

Training Event: NFB-NEWSLINE on the Victor Reader Stream

By Alicia Waters | January 6, 2022

Event Date: January 12, 2022

8:00 p.m. eastern time (7:00 p.m. central time, 6:00 p.m. mountain time, 5:00 p.m. pacific time)

Please join us on Zoom, the information you will need to attend is at the end of this message.

Do you miss reading your favorite magazines and newspapers? NFB-NEWSLINE can help you quench your thirst for knowledge. What if it was possible to accessibly read your local newspaper, the New York Times, Fox News or Reader’s Digest when you are away from home. Now you can with NFB-NEWSLINE on the Victor Reader Stream.

At the training, you will learn: How to set up NFB-NEWSLINE on your Victor Reader Stream. Find your favorite breaking news sources, magazines and newspapers. Download content straight to your Victor Reader Stream and read with ease. Locate an article of interest and read continuously, by sentence, one word at a time or listen to the spelling of a new word. Save a magazine or newspaper for future reading.

With NFB-NEWSLINE on your Victor Reader Stream you will be able to take your favorite entertainment and news sources with you wherever you go without the need for telephone or internet access. Now you will stay current with information on the bus, a plane trip across the country or sitting in a waiting room until your next appointment.

NFB-NEWSLINE is a free audio and Braille news and information service that provides subscribers with 24/7 access to over 500 updated publications, including newspapers and magazines, breaking news, customizable job listings, TV listings, store circulars, emergency weather alerts and forecasts.

To participate in the training, please use one of the options listed below.

Join Zoom Meeting on your computer or mobile device: https://zoom.us/j/97674532669 [zoom.us]

Tap on your mobile device to be directly connected to the conference call: +13017158592,,97674532669#

Dial: 301-715-8592 Meeting ID: 9, 7, 6, 7, 4, 5, 3, 2, 6, 6, 9

We look forward to talking to you on January 12!

National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells Street | Baltimore, MD 21230 | 410-659-9314

Topics: Accessibility, Programs, Training | No Comments »

Easier Enrollment for Reading Disabled

By Alicia Waters | December 30, 2021

The National Library Service (NLS) has made a change that makes it easier for people with reading disabilities to sign up for free services. Now reading specialist, educators, librarians and school psychologist will be able to certify the eligibility of applicants with reading disabilities. There is no longer a special requirement that a reading disability must be certified by a Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy. This is great news because the certification requirement is now the same for any qualified applicant of the free library services! Sign up for talking books today!

Topics: General | No Comments »

Happy Holidays

By Alicia Waters | December 23, 2021

The Talking Books Library will be closed on Christmas Day (observed on Monday, Dec. 27th) and New Year’s Day (observed on Monday, Jan. 3), but please continue to email us at talking.books@olis.ri.gov or call (401)574-9310. You may hear a different voice on our answering machine, but rest assured that the Talking Books staff are receiving your messages and requests. The Talking Books Library staff wish you and yours a very safe and happy holiday season.