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Arlington Public Library

Talking Books Newsletter

News to Use, September 2020

Talking Book Newsletter

Volume 2, no.3

Listen to the audio version of the newsletter with the embedded player below, and read the transcript, which includes additional resources.

Microphone with the words "News to Use" on magenta background

Welcome to the third edition of News to Use, the Arlington Public Library Talking Book Newsletter, produced by the Talking Book Staff at Arlington Public Library.

Meet the Staff

This month the newsletter is read by Bridgette Wisdom from the Accessibility and Collections Team which includes the Talking Book Service.

Picture of Bridgette Wisdom

I have been at Central Library since November 2017. Outside of work you will find me enjoying one of Arlington’s many trails or kayaking with my husband. I enjoy reading biographies and literary fiction.

COVID-19 In Arlington

COVID-19 in Arlington County: Library Service Updates.

Arlington Central Library is currently open for holds only pickup; all other locations are closed until further notice. Here is how that impacts our Talking Books service:

  • Richmond’s Talking Books department continues to prepare orders for us. Please email or call us at 703-228-6333 to place requests but please be aware that there may be significant delays in getting your cartridges due to a backlog of requests and mailing delays.
  • If you use BARD to download books and magazines, https://nlsbard.loc.gov/login//NLS, your service should continue and we don’t anticipate any disruptions. Please contact us by email, talkingbooks@arlingtonva.us , if you need assistance logging into BARD or if you would like to sign up for BARD.
  • Magazines on cartridge are circulating again! If you haven't already done so, remember to return your old magazing cartridges in order to start receiving the latest editions.

COVID-19 in Arlington County: Information for Residents.

  • Arlington County’s COVID-19 website is a useful resource for County residents. Find information about COVID-19 testing, the local mask ordinance, accessing food and grocery assistance, emergency financial support and much more: www.arlingtonva.us/covid-19
  • Arlington County Election Information: Mark your calendar! The general election is on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. There are many candidates, proposed constitutional amendments and bond questions on the ballot this year. The online election portal is very useful. You can: register to vote, check your voter registration status, find your polling place, update your address, and apply to vote absentee by mail. If you plan to vote absentee by mail, it is highly recommended you do so early. For more information:
  • vote.elections.virginia.gov/Voter Information

    Tel: 703-228-3456
    TTY: 703-228-4611

NLS Wants Your Input for Technology Products and Initiatives!

The NLS Reading Technology Advisory Group (RTAG) needs new members! RTAG meets twice a year to provide feedback on new NLS products and initiatives. Currently, RTAG is focused on updates to BARD, the braille eReader project, and a “smart speaker” voice-controlled device. Each of these initiatives will have its own working group within RTAG. Meetings—to be attended online—will resume in fall 2020. Although RTAG members can be network library staff, hardware repair volunteers, and other subject matter experts, NLS patrons are especially encouraged to apply to join RTAG. For questions, please contact your local network library or email questions directly to NLS-RTAG@loc.gov. Applications—a statement of your background and qualifications (no more than two pages)—should be submitted to NLS-RTAG@loc.gov by Wednesday, September 30.

Blind and Low Vision Resource Group Update

The Talking Book team recently hosted presenter Paul Burden for a virtual Zoom presentation called “Making Voice Assistants Work for You.” The interactive program covered the myriad tasks or “skills” that digital voice assistants, and specifically Amazon’s Echo (Alexa), can do to make your daily life easier. From sending voice messages and setting up daily morning routines to safety features such as guarding your house or alerting close contacts in case of a fall, we learned that Alexa is capable of 115,000 skills. Did you miss the live event?

Access the recording:  https://bit.ly/3hCOXcL

Reading with Libby: Accessing Library Books on Your Computer or Mobile Device

BARD has a wide variety of books to listen to with the advantage of not having to wait in line to check them out. However, you may have noticed that it takes a little while for new books to show up on BARD, or sometimes BARD doesn’t have the book you’re looking for. Luckily, if you are eligible for Talking Books service you are eligible to receive an Arlington Public Library Card, and with your library card you have access to OverDrive.

Overdrive provides a wide variety of digital books and audiobooks through their app called Libby. The library purchases a certain number of copies of these audiobooks that you can check out on the app. Talking Books staff members Brittany and Bridgette recently presented on how to download and use this app to start listening today! You can access the recording here: https://bit.ly/2CTFMFB

If you are interested in learning more about how to sign up for a library card or use Libby, you can reach out to Talking Books staff members at TalkingBooks@arlingtonva.us or (703) 228-6333.

Area Resources and Events.

While all in-person library programs have ceased, here are some helpful resources and events that are still operating in the area:

The Low Vision Learning Center Information & Resource Hotline Remains Open. Although the Prevention of Blindness Society’s DC Headquarters is closed to the public, you can still call to get answers to questions about available resources on reading, transportation, technology, and much more. The hotline is available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM at (301) 951-4444.
They also host monthly Low Vision Town Halls, and recordings of these town halls can be found at https://anchor.fm/youreyesdc.

Metropolitan Washington Ear is still accepting new applications for their listener services, which includes daily readings of major newspapers and magazines and a talking books radio program. They can be reached at (301) 681-6636 or you can apply online at https://www.washear.org/

Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind is offering virtual trainings for essential route planning, independent living skills training such as meal prepping, and community activities including their virtual Training Support Groups. To sign up or receive more information, please email info@clb.org.

Meeting with Zoom? Whether it’s for business or for pleasure, everyone is using Zoom to meet, and there is a free audiobook available for vision challenged people to learn about and run Zoom meetings: https://mosen.org/zoom/

Foundation Fighting Blindness hosted its VISIONS 2020 national conference virtually on June 25-27, 2020. Don't worry if you weren't able to attend because you can access the recorded sessions here.

Bestseller Lists.

Fiction

  • American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins: DB 98146
  • Little Fires Everywhere by Celest Ng: DB 89018
  • Mexican Gothic by Siliva Moreno-Garcia: DB 99404 (coming soon to Talking Books)
  • Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens: DB 92245

Nonfiction

  • Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates: DB 82201
  • Breath by James Nestor: DB 99870 (coming soon to Talking Books)
  • Too Much and Never Enough by Mary Trump: DB 99251
  • White Fragility by Robin J. DiAngelo: DB 91860

New Books available through Talking Books Topics, September—October 2020:

https://www.loc.gov/nls/braille-audio-reading-materials/latest-books-in-braille-and-audio/talking-book-topics-bimonthly-magazine/talking-book-topics-september-october-2020/

Contact Us

The Talking Book staff is here for you.  We can help you select or download books or connect you with other information you may be looking for.

Telephone:     703-228-6333
Email:             TalkingBooks@arlingtonva.us

News to Use, May 2020

Talking Book Newsletter

Volume 1, no.3

Listen to the audio version of the newsletter with the embedded player below, and read the transcript, which includes additional resources.

Microphone with the words "News to Use" on magenta background

Welcome to the third edition of News to Use, the Arlington Public Library Talking Book Newsletter, produced by the Talking Book Staff at Arlington Public Library.

Meet the Staff

This month the newsletter is read by Brittany Ham from the Accessibility and Collections Team, which includes the Talking Book Service.

Brittany Ham

I’m the newest member of the team, having only started with Arlington Public Library July of last year. I’m originally from Virginia Beach and outside of work I love baking, reading literary fiction, and hanging out with my scaly pet Carmen the bearded dragon!

COVID-19 In Arlington

COVID-19 in Arlington County: Library Service Updates.

All Arlington Public Library locations are closed until further notice. Here is how that impacts our Talking Books service:

  • We have just arranged to have Richmond’s Talking Books department prepare orders for us. Please email or call us at 703-228-6333 to place requests but please be aware that there may be significant delays in getting your cartridges due to a backlog of requests and mailing delays.
  • If you use BARD to download books and magazines, https://nlsbard.loc.gov/login//NLS, your service should continue and we don’t anticipate any disruptions. Please contact us by email, talkingbooks@arlingtonva.us , if you need assistance logging into BARD or if you would like to sign up for BARD.
  • Magazines are being posted on BARD in audio and ebraille but are not currently available on cartridge or in hard-copy braille. We anticipate that back issues will be made available via the Magazine on Cartridge program and in hard-copy braille when normal operations resume.

Area Resources and Events.

While all in-person library programs have ceased, here are some helpful resources and events that are still operating in the area:

The Low Vision Learning Center Information & Resource Hotline Remains Open. Although the Prevention of Blindness Society’s DC Headquarters is closed to the public, you can still call to get answers to questions about available resources on reading, transportation, technology, and much more. The hotline is available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM at (301) 951-4444.
They also host weekly Low Vision Town Halls, and recordings of these town halls can be found at https://anchor.fm/youreyesdc.

Metropolitan Washington Ear is still accepting new applications for their listener services, which includes daily readings of major newspapers and magazines and a talking books radio program. They can be reached at (301) 681-6636 or you can apply online at https://www.washear.org/

The Foundation Fighting Blindness VisionWalk program includes more than 36 walks in cities throughout the United States to fund research leading to treatments and cures for blinding retinal disease. This year, the in-person walks have combined and turned virtual into a National Virtual VisionWalk Day on June 6th. You can support this event by taking advantage of their online tools to let people know why you’re participating, build your virtual team of family and friends to join you, and on June 6th celebrate in any way you want – whether it’s a walk around the block (while social distancing) or a virtual hangout with your team. If you have any questions, please contact Michele DiVincenzo at mdivincenzo@fightingblindness.org.

Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind is offering virtual trainings for essential route planning, independent living skills training such as meal prepping, and community activities including their virtual Training Support Groups. To sign up or receive more information, please email info@clb.org.

Meeting with Zoom? Whether it’s for business or for pleasure, everyone is using Zoom to meet, and there is a free audiobook available for vision challenged people to learn about and run Zoom meetings: https://mosen.org/zoom/

Blind and Low Vision Resource Group: Update.

Unfortunately, our last scheduled Blind and Low Vision Resource Group meeting in March was canceled due to COVID-19, and we don’t know when we’ll get to have our next one. But our last in-person meeting welcomed Karen Peltz Strauss as a speaker. Karen is a long-time disability advocate who was involved in writing part of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and most of the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act. She spent 11 years as Deputy Chief of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission. She discussed telecommunications accessibility on a federal level. Some of the highlights included learning that:

  • All televisions have two audio channels, including one for audio description, and they are required to have an easy way to access them (although each television set is different).
  • The 4 basic cable broadcasting networks are always required to provide audio description, in addition to the top 5 broadcasting networks (these change every few years) – right now it is HGTV, USA, Discovery, TBS, and the History Channel.
  • Netflix/Amazon/Hulu are already describing almost all of their content.
  • The American Council of the Blind has a directory of audio described programs. (http://acb.org/adp/)
  • If you need to file a complaint with the FCC about a lack of accessibility from your network provider, you can submit a request for dispute assistance, where the FCC’s Disability Rights Office works with you and the company to resolve your issue.
  • Movie theaters are required to provide audio description

Thanks, once again, to Karen for speaking with us!

Share What You’re Reading.

We invite you to share with us what you're reading now or other books you've enjoyed so that we may share them with your fellow Talking Books patrons. We hope this will help us stay connected through sharing what we're reading. Each of us has written a brief review of a book we've read recently which is shared below. These books are available for download in BARD.

"The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World" by Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu and Douglas Abrams
2016
DB85769
Reviewed by Bridgette

A week-long visit between two dear friends, the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, brings us this thoughtful discussion on how we all can cultivate joy in our everyday lives, regardless what else may be going on.  This book is not about religion but instead about the teachings of these two men, the nature of joy, and the importance of cultivating it in our own lives.

The first part of the book lays the groundwork for understanding the nature of joy, it is then followed by obstacles to joy, and the last part pulls it all together by providing readers with the eight pillars of joy as agreed upon by the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The tone of the book is very conversational, and I felt the love and respect between these two remarkable men who have faced great adversity in their own lives but remain truly joy filled. This was a soothing and reassuring book in these not so soothing times.

"The Dutch House" by Ann Patchett
2019
DB 96739
Reviewed by Brittany

Danny and Maeve Conroy, two young siblings, are living with their father alone in the Dutch House in the suburbs of Philadelphia after their mother abandons the family because of the house. Soon the father remarries an "evil stepmother"-like figure Andrea Smith, and ultimately Danny and Maeve are forced to leave the house of their childhood and strike out on their own. This story follows the lives of Danny and Maeve through the subsequent decades through Danny's point of view.

I am a fan of Ann Patchett, and I loved Commonwealth. Similar to that book, I appreciate the slow character development and the focus on sibling relationships. The Dutch House is also a character on its own, asserting its own role in this story. However, what really makes this book for me is Tom Hanks' narration - he makes Danny more lovable and approachable.

Note: some strong language.

"How to Stop Time" by Matt Haig
2018
DB 90183
Reviewed by Jennifer Lewis

Tom Hazard has a rare condition that causes him to age very slowly. Born in France in 1581, in the present day he appears to be a regular 41-year old man. His current life as an English schoolteacher trying to protect those he cares about from the sinister Albatross Society is interspersed with flashbacks to his dangerous and heartbreaking past. It is an enchanting mix of adventure, love, danger, heartache and the search for the meaning of life.

Note: some profanity.

"Nothing to See Here" by Kevin Wilson
2019
DB 97315
Reviewed by Jennifer Odlum

This is an odd but strangely diverting book, a quality which I found to be particularly welcome in this unsettling time. Lillian had a tough upbringing which left its mark on her. She has recently agreed to serve as caretaker to her childhood friend Madison’s twin stepchildren while Madison supports her husband’s political ambitions. What’s the problem? Well, the kids have been known to burst into flames when their emotions run high. Over the course of the summer, Lillian helps Madison and the children and, eventually, herself as she comes to terms with what it means to love and be loved, to need and be needed.  I was charmed.

Please note, there is some profanity.

Do you have a book you’d like to recommend? Please call or email us with a brief description of the book and why you liked it.

Bestseller Lists.

Fiction

  • Arroyo by Chip Jacobs, DB 98655
  • Blindside by James Patterson, DB 98664
  • Cleanness by Garth Greenwell, DB 98150
  • Crooked River by Douglas Preston, DB 98595
  • Golden in Death by J.D. Robb, DB 98498
  • Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu, DB 98503
  • Lost by James Patterson, DB 98503
  • The Museum of Desire by Johnathan Kellerman, DB 98667
  • Weather by Jenny Offil, DB 98466
  • When You See Me by Lisa Gardner, DB 98486

Nonfiction

  • The Hope of Glory by Jonathan Meacham, DB 98536
  • Open Book by Jessica Simpson, DB 98656
  • Until the End of Time by Brian Greene, DB 98512

New Books available through Talking Books Topics, March—April 2020:

https://www.loc.gov/nls/braille-audio-reading-materials/latest-books-in-braille-and-audio/talking-book-topics-bimonthly-magazine/talking-book-topics-march-april-2020/

Contact Us

The Talking Book staff is here for you.  We can help you select or download books, register for library programs or connect you with other information you may be looking for.

Telephone:     703-228-6333

Email:             TalkingBooks@arlingtonva.us

News to Use, February 2020

Talking Book Newsletter

Volume 1, no.2

Listen to the audio version of the newsletter with the embedded player below, and read the transcript, which includes additional resources.

Microphone with the words "News to Use" on magenta background

Welcome to the second edition of News to Use, the Arlington Public Library Talking Book Newsletter, produced by the Talking Book Staff at Arlington Public Library.

Meet the Staff

This month the newsletter is read by Jennifer Lewis, the team lead for the Accessibility and Collections Team which includes the Talking Book Service.

Jennifer Lewis, woman with shoulder length blond hair who is smiling.

I’ve been a reference and collections librarian with Arlington Public Library for fifteen years and have spent the last two years focusing on accessibility services. I’m a native of Virginia and outside of work I love spending time with my family, cooking new dishes and reading suspense and historical fiction novels.

Join Arlington Public Library’s Winter Reading Program.

How to Participate:

Census 2020: Be Counted!

In mid-March, letters will go out to households around the country inviting them to respond to the 2020 census (www.census.gov). Why should you respond? Well, census results play a large part in determining how governments at all levels allocate hundreds of billions of dollars for services that communities rely on. But some groups of people, including those who are blind or disabled, historically have been undercounted. We at Arlington Public Library want to make sure all our patrons are counted and don’t miss this chance to shape their future!

If you have questions about the census, we’re here to help: contact us at 703-228-6333 or talkingbooks@arlingtonva.us.

Blind and Low Vision Resource Group: Update.

The Blind and Low Vision Resource Group is off to a great start! In October, we welcomed Alex Castillo, a rehabilitation teacher from the Department with the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI). He shared information about the services DBVI offers. Alex will get paired with a blind or low vision customer and will visit them at home to evaluate their daily needs and goals. He will then develop practical lessons to help them gain or maintain independence.

Visit the Department of the Blind and Vision Impaired website or call them at (804) 371-3140.

In November, we welcomed Carol Froelich, a volunteer speaker from Metropolitan Washington Ear. Members have access to daily newspapers via phone or a special radio provided with membership. Another benefit to membership is access to their audio description services at select live theater performances. Attendees who have used the service say it’s absolutely wonderful. We were also impressed to hear about their lookup service. WashEar volunteers are on hand to read the grocery store circulars or look up other information for you. As an added bonus, they have a really great newsletter, packed with resources. As a qualified Talking Book patron, you will also qualify for membership to Washington Ear, but you will need to complete their application.

For more information about Washington Ear, visit their website or call them at (301) 681-6636.

In January, Davida Luehrs, Northern Virginia Chapter President of the Foundation Fighting Blindness, was on hand to talk about the foundation's activities and goals. Their primary mission is to support research to find cures for retinal diseases and they've made some great progress. Their website also has great content and guidance for people who are newly diagnosed. FFB hosts regular meetings and speaker series which are free and open to the public. They also host fund raising events including the NOVA VisionWalk that takes place on Sunday, May 3, at Cameron Run Regional Park. Davida was accompanied by her guide dog, Chubb, whom she found through the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind in Smithtown, NY. Davida also shared what she considered to be great resources: the American Council of the Blind, the Virginia Lions Club and Patrick Timony, Accessible Tech Librarian with DC Public Library’s Center for Accessibility.

Here is the full list of resources:

If you have questions about these or other services, feel free to call us. We'll do our best to get you the answers you're looking for.

Mark your calendar for upcoming meetings:

  • Friday, March 13 - Dr. Suleiman Alibhai, Doctor of Optometry with Low Vision Services.  Dr. Alibhai is an acclaimed resource in the local blind and low vision community. He will talk about the services he offers which emphasize education and counseling about the best way to cope with chronic vision loss.
  • Friday, April 10 - Library Accessibility Services Open House. Library staff will be on hand to share and talk with you about Books by Mail, Talking Books and BARD.

National Library Service Has a New Name and Logo.

The Library of Congress’s National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), which provides braille and audio materials to the Arlington Subregional Library, has changed its name.

It is now known as the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled. The new name addresses some outdated language and more clearly communicates the population it serves. NLS sought input on this name change from stakeholder groups and gathered data through various public channels, including its users.

Reading Recommendations from Staff & Patrons.

We’re excited to tell you what we’re reading, and we’d love to hear what you’d recommend.

"The Flight Attendant" by Chris Bohjalian, DB 90518.

Follow Cassie Bowden’s travels as a flight attendant as she tries to piece together the missing memories of the night she woke up in a hotel room Dubai next to a murdered man. Filled with intrigue, danger, humor and suspense, this is one I couldn’t stop reading until I reached the end.

Do you have a book you’d like to recommend? Please call or email us with a brief description of the book and why you liked it.

Getting Started with BARD

Our free book download system, BARD, puts our full collection of audio books at your fingertips. If you have a smart phone or a tablet and haven’t downloaded the BARD Mobile app, this is the perfect time!

BARD mobile "now reading" screenshot and gray large letters BARD with the gray Apple image and gray robot image.

Layout of the app:

  • Bookshelf- This contains the books you have downloaded.
  • Get books- Contains wish list, recently added to BARD, previous downloads, most popular books, browse magazines, and the BARD website.
  • Settings- Audio settings, display settings, and user account settings.
  • Now reading – This is where you can play the books that you’ve downloaded. The screen is set up like a mini version of the digital talking book player.

Tips and Tricks:

In the settings, under audio settings, turn the “Background Playback” on so your device does not have to stay open and run the battery down while you listen to a book. If a book doesn’t play all the way through or there’s an error message, there are two options that will usually get you back on track. One option is to completely shut down the app and bring it back up, or you can delete the book and re-download it from the “Previous Downloads” section of the “Get Books” heading.

Bestseller Lists.

Fiction:

  • A Minute to Midnight by David Baldacci, DB 97355
  • The Night Fire by Michael Connelly, DB 97282
  • Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson, DB 97315
  • The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern, DB 97441
  • Twisted Twenty-Six by Janet Evanovitch, DB 97352

Nonfiction:

  • Dear Girls by Ali Wong, DB 97243
  • Education of an Idealist by Samantha Power, DB 97263
  • I Really Needed This Today by Hoda Kotb, DB 97500
  • Over the Top by Jonathan Van Ness DB 97437
  • The Way I Heard It by Mike Rowe, DB 97497

New Books available through Talking Books Topics, January--February 2020:

https://www.loc.gov/nls/braille-audio-reading-materials/latest-books-in-braille-and-audio/talking-book-topics-bimonthly-magazine/talking-book-topics-january-february-2020/

Mark Your Calendar.

Here are some upcoming library programs you may be interested in:

Free Tax Preparation Assistance by AARP for people of low or moderate income.

Walk-in appointments at Central Library February 4 through April 15 (appointments also available by calling 703-829-6192):

    • Tuesdays, 10 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
    • Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 

Walk-in appointments at Columbia Pike Branch Library, January 31 through April 14:

    • Tuesdays, 1:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.
    • Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Aging Well: Advance Care Planning - Monday, March 2, 1:30 pm until 2:30 pm at Central

Laughter Yoga - Monday, March 2 from 6:30 pm until 7:30 pm at Central.

Aurora Hills Knits - Wednesday, March 4 from 7:00 pm until 8:30 pm at Aurora Hills

Arlington Reads: Roxane Gay in Conversation with Arlington Public Library Director, Diane Kresh - Tuesday, March 10 from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm at Central

Language Conversation Classes: Arabic Chinese, English, French, Italian, Spanish - Various days and times. Call 703-228-6333 or email TalkingBooks@arlingtonva.us for more information.

Blind and Low Vision Resource Group: Dr. Suleiman Alibhai from Low Vision Services - Friday, March 13 from 2:00 pm until 3:30 pm at Central

Technology Tutoring Sessions: 30 minute one on one appointments - Various days and times. Call 703-228-6333 or email TalkingBooks@arlingtonva.us for more information.

Contact Us

The Talking Book staff is here for you.  We can help you select or download books, register for library programs or connect you with other information you may be looking for.

Telephone:     703-228-6333

Email:             TalkingBooks@arlingtonva.us

News to Use, September 2019

Talking Book Newsletter

Volume 1, no.1

Play the audio version of the News to Use Talking Book Newsletter

Welcome to the first edition of News to Use, the Arlington Public Library Talking Book Newsletter, produced by the Talking Book Staff at Arlington Public Library.

Meet the Staff!

The Accessibility and Collection Team is led by librarian Jennifer Lewis. Jennifer Odlum, who also manages the Books by Mail service for homebound patrons, supports the team. We apologize for the confusion of having two Jennifers on staff - it confuses our colleagues as well!

New to the team are Bridgette Wisdom and Brittany Ham. Bridgette also manages our periodical subscriptions at Central Library while Brittany is in charge of our Interlibrary Loan service. Meanwhile, Daniel Ramos, who has been helping us for over a decade, has just retired. We will greatly miss his experience, energy, patience and good cheer. Many of you will surely miss him as well. Look for staff and volunteer spotlights in future editions of the newsletter.

Blind and Low Vision Resource Group

We're happy to announce the new Blind and Low Vision Resource Group. This is our first recurring program for our Talking Book patrons and for the wider blind and low-vision community. This program will meet approximately one time per month and will feature an invited topic expert. We hope you will be able to attend on a regular basis, both to learn something new and also to connect with fellow patrons. The Talking Book staff plans to attend and we’re looking forward to meeting you in person. Light snacks will be provided.

Our first meeting will take place on Friday, October 11 at 2:00 p.m. until 3:30 pm., at Central Library.

The guest speaker will be Alex Castillo from the Department of the Blind and Visually Impaired in Fairfax. Mr. Castillo is a rehabilitation teacher and will be speaking about navigating life with a vision impairment. He will also share information on resources available both at DBVI and throughout this area.

This should be a very interesting and useful presentation and we really hope to see you there! Feel free to invite friends who are interested in learning more about this topic.

2019 Survey Results Are In

Thank you to everyone who completed and returned the survey. We had an approximately 24% return rate. We’d love to increase the participation rate next time. If you have suggestions for how we can encourage a more vigorous response, please let us know.

Results included the following:

  • On Service: 42% of respondents were satisfied with your ability to reach staff but there is room for improvement. Fortunately, you feel that we call you back in a reasonable amount of time. Some respondents thought that perhaps we did not have enough staff. Luckily, with Bridgette and Brittany joining the team, we should be well-covered. That being said, you will still likely get a voicemail upon first calling us. Our office was recently reconfigured, and we don’t have a staff member seated at the phone. But we will continue to do our best to return your call promptly.
  • On Mail Speed: There is some patron dissatisfaction with the US Postal Service. We feel your pain! It seems that mail service has improved in recent months, but please let us know if you are experiencing problems. We will continue to alert USPS when mail delivery slows, and we’ll also keep the National Library Service informed of any problems.
  • On Braille and Audio Reading Download (known more commonly as BARD): Many of you are not aware of BARD and we need to do a better job of informing you. Continue on for more information about BARD later in this newsletter.
  • On the Most Popular Genres: Not too surprisingly, the most popular genres, in descending order, are: Mysteries and Detectives, Best Sellers (Fiction), Historical Novels, Classics, Best Sellers (Nonfiction), and Biographies.
  • On Future Programs: The program most patrons indicated an interest in are presentations about low-vision products and services. Other programs you were potentially interested in included a Support Group about living with low vision, in-person technology assistance and a book club in that order.

We responded to this feedback and hope that you will be able to attend our new Blind and Low-Vision Resource Group.

Reading Recommendations from Staff & Patrons

We’re excited to tell you what we’re reading, and we’d love to hear what you’d recommend.

I recently read "Born a Crime" by Trevor Noah (DB 86608), narrated by Trevor Noah. The popular host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central, Trevor Noah tells the story of his South African upbringing.

Under apartheid, interracial relationships were prohibited and with a black South African mother and a white German father, Trevor Noah was quite literally the product of a crime. He tells the story of how he was affected by his circumstances and overcame these challenges to become a highly successful comedian, social commentator and talk show host. His narration is authentic and engaging and his story is a unique and fascinating window into life under apartheid. Be aware that there is some profanity.

cover of "born a crime"

Do you have a book you’d like to recommend? Please call or email us with a brief description of the book and why you liked it.

Download the BARD Mobile App and Get Instant Reading Gratification

The Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) is a way to access Talking Books immediately online. BARD gives you digital access to the complete and vast Talking Book collection. You can use BARD Express to download books using your computer and a cartridge, or you can use the BARD Mobile app to download books directly to your digital device. Talking Book staff use BARD on our iPhones to read books in the car or while taking a walk.

The BARD Website can be found at nlsbard.loc.gov/FAQ.html

If you need help, you can also call our staff at 703-228-6333. We can try to walk you through the process by phone or email. If that doesn’t help, we’ll be happy to meet you one-on-one at the library.

Stay Informed by Getting a Library Card and the Library eNewsletter

Some of you may not have an Arlington Public Library card. If you don’t read printed material, you might wonder why you would want one. When you sign up for a library card and add your email address to your account, you automatically receive the Arlington Public Library’s monthly eNewsletter, which highlights special programs taking place that month. So, if you don’t have a regular library card, consider getting one! Also remember to check the online Arlington Public Library calendar which can be found at library.arlingtonva.us/calendar

Arlington Public Library offers programs this Fall on a wide range of topics that may be of interest to you including movement classes and Aging Well workshops. Health-related programs include presentations about hearing aids, how to use digital tools to improve your health, and highlights from the latest Alzheimer’s International Research Conference.

Upcoming financial programs include topics on retirement planning and reverse mortgages. The Library offers lots of arts and crafts and maker programs year-round. Knitting and sewing are just a couple of programs in this category.

We also offer day-time movies, garden talks, and a huge number of book clubs. If you miss being around small children, there’s a Seniors and Kids Together Storytime on Tuesday evenings.

Upcoming lectures include speakers such as author Tommy Orange and political commentator Chuck Rosenberg; we also have upcoming lectures on Voting and Elections.

From Microsoft Basics to Introductory coding, technology and computer classes are a mainstay of the library, but did you know that we also offer 30-minute, one-on-one tutorials by appointment?

Remember, everything we offer at the library is free.

Here are a few programs we want to highlight:

  • Sharpen Your Networking and Interviewing Skills, presented by AARP, Tuesday, September 17 from 1:30 pm until 3:00 pm at Shirlington Branch Library
  • Reverse Mortgages 101, Tuesday, September 24 from 2 pm until 3:30 pm at Central Library
  • All About Hearing Aids, Thursday, Sept 26, 11 am until noon at Westover Branch Library

In Our Aging Well Series

  • Falls Prevention, Monday Oct 7 from 1:30 pm until 2:30 pm at Central Library
  • Pain Management with Dr. Michael Byas-Smith of the Adler Center for Caring, Monday Nov 4 from 1:30 pm until 2:30 pm at Central Library
  • Our NEW Blind and Low Vision Resource Group, Friday, October 11 from 2:00 pm until 3:30 pm

We Want to Hear from You

We invite you to be participate in the production of this newsletter.

There are many ways you can contribute.

  1. Let us know what you think of this newsletter. We welcome constructive comments.
  2. Submit a reading recommendation for your fellow patrons to read. Please keep your submissions under 100 words.
  3. Think about contributing an article to one of our upcoming editions. Do you have tips or resources you’d like others to know about? Do you have a topic on low-vision you’d like to write about? We’d love to learn from your experiences.

The Talking Book Staff is hear for you. We can help you select books, download books, register for library programs or connect you with other information you may be looking for.

You can reach us:

  • By Telephone at 703-228-6333
  • Or By Email at TalkingBooks@arlingtonva.us

And that concludes the September 2019 edition of the News to Use newsletter. We hope you found it enjoyable and useful.

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