Vol. 49, No. 2 Fall 2019

FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR

JANET FISHER

The new year is coming fast and we are counting our blessings.

Some activities remain the same and some are changing. As you read through this newsletter, you will find a new connection to get your braille calendar for 2020, the need to check into your BARD account more frequently, the opportunity to join the Book Chat group, and a revision to the name of our national program.

As we were planning for our 50th anniversary, we became aware of the passing of our first talking book library director, Arlene Bansal. Arlene developed and directed this library for several years, and then moved to the position of Deputy State Librarian and then to State Librarian during the 1980’s and 1990’s. We are thankful for the work she did to start this library service in Arizona 49 years ago.

We appreciate all of our library patrons, volunteers and Friends.

• Our patrons check out the library materials we offer in the format best suited to their needs – through ordering cartridges, downloading over the internet, or using our services and materials in another way. We work diligently to offer the materials and services, and we have staff on hand to respond to your questions.

• Our volunteers provide support for our work, enabling us to respond to our patrons’ needs quickly and thoroughly. The volunteers also record audio versions of Arizona-related books and record some magazines.

• Our friends group, the Arizona Friends of Talking Books, support the library through funding volunteer-related items and activities, and also support special projects.

Thanks to all of you and to those future users and supporters we will meet in the coming weeks, months and years. We look forward to more years of providing library services for the Visually and Print Disabled ensuring That All [Arizonans] May Read.

Thank you
Janet Fisher, Administrator

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A NEW NAME FOR THE NATIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE

The Library of Congress’ National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, which provides audio and braille materials to the talking book libraries, received approval from the Librarian of Congress and changed its name on October 1, 2019.

The new official name, National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, revises the outdated language and more clearly communicates the breadth of those served. NLS and the Library of Congress sought input on the change from stakeholder groups and gathered data through various public channels. In keeping with the strategic plan of the Library of Congress, their new name is patron-centric.

Visit the strategic plan on the web at https://www.loc.gov/strategic-plan/.

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ENHANCED SECURITY FOR YOUR BARD ACCOUNT

If you haven’t used your Braille & Audio Reading Download (BARD) account to download your books or magazines in six months or more, NLS will automatically mark your BARD account as “Inactive” and will prevent you from logging into it. If you find you are locked out of your BARD login, please contact the Arizona Talking Book Library on a day when you are ready to log into BARD, and we can quickly and easily reactivate your account.

To prevent your account from being made “Inactive”, simply log into BARD (or open the BARD Mobile app) more than once in 6 months.

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JOIN THE BOOK CHAT DISCUSSION GROUP

The Book Chat group of the Arizona Talking Book Library meet on the telephone on the 2nd Thursday each month (November through August), meeting from 10 to 11am or 6 to 7pm. The same book is discussed at both sessions of the day.

Book Chat is made up of adult members of the Talking Book Library.

Call the library if you are interested in joining this discussion group.

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ARIZONA FRIENDS OF TALKING BOOKS

Arizona Friends of Talking Books - a non-profit organization which supports the Arizona Talking Book Library, its volunteer programs and local recording studios through fundraising, advocacy, and outreach. Thanks for all your support!

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ANIMALS CAN MAKE YOU HAPPY AND HEALTHIER

We, who make our pets part of our daily life, are certainly aware of how pets and other animals can make us happy but healthier? Believe it or not, there is a growing body of scientific research that has shown pets and even other animals can actually improve our health. For example, clinical studies have found that a mere petting of a dog can reduce your blood pressure. Plus, The Research Center for Human/Animal Interaction at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, found that interacting with animals can increase our levels of the hormone oxytocin. (Oxytocin has been found to greatly enhance our overall health and makes us feel happy and trusting). Here are some books about human interaction with animals that I believe will greatly improve your health!!!!

Paws and Effect: The Healing Power of Dogs
By Sharon R Sakson
Narrated by Jill Ferris
DB066954
American Kennel Club dog-show judge reflects on the emotional and spiritual support dogs provide to their human companions in times of ill health and other crises. Recounts instances of dogs calming autistic children, evoking memories for Alzheimer’s patients, assisting in physical therapy, and alerting epileptics to impending seizures. 2007

The Quail, Robert
By Margaret A. Stanger
Narrated by Jill Ferris
DB066226
The author recounts her experiences with a female quail -- misnamed Robert -- who hatched from an abandoned egg and developed under the care of neighbors, a retired couple, on Cape Cod. Recalls the highly social and intelligent bird’s rejection of freedom and preference for sharing family life. 1966

Homer’s Odyssey: A Fearless Tale: or, How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat
By Gwen Cooper
Narrated by Nicola Daval
DB069557
Author describes adopting Homer, a small abandoned kitten whose infected eyes were surgically removed. Details the adventures of spunky, active Homer over the next dozen years -- living with two other cats in New York apartments, surviving 9/11, and endearing himself to everyone he met including (eventually) the author’s future husband. 2009.

Elephant Company:
The Inspiring Story of an Unlikely Hero and the Animals Who Helped Him Save Lives in World War II
By Vicki Croke
Narrated by David Cutler
DB080616
Tells the story of British WW I veteran James Howard “Billy” Williams, who found his calling working with logging elelphants in Burma. When WW II broke out, Williams used his strong bond with the elements to lead the Elephant Company, which was instrumental in defeating the Japanese who invaded Burma. 2014

Mutual rescue: how adopting a homeless animal can save you too
By Carol Novello
Narrated by Sarah Mollo-Christensen
DB094572
A former tech executive who became president of The Humane Society of Silicon Valley examines the curative powers of rescuing shelter animals. Includes individual stories of the physical and mental benefits of pet adoption, with supporting statistics and scientific studies. Commercial audiobook 2019.

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HOLIDAY READING

As the holidays approach, here are some recently published spooky, scary, heartwarming, family-oriented and holiday reads to check out:

The Atrocities
By Jeremy C. Shipp
Read by Lisa Giannarelli
DB092563
Danna Valdez has been hired as governess for young Isabella. When the girl’s parents finally introduce their daughter, the governess realizes her new pupil is actually dead, but her parents believe Isabella’s ghost still resides in the house. Some violence. 2018

My Lovely Wife
By Samantha Downing
Read by David Pittu
DB094735
Our love story is simple. I met a gorgeous woman. We fell in love. We had kids. We moved to the suburbs. And then we got bored. We all have our secrets to keeping a marriage alive. Ours just happens to be getting away with murder. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2019

Gingerbread
By Helen Oyeyemi
Narrated by Helen Oyeyemi
DB094113
Perdita Lee grew up with her mother Harriet, making gingerbread from a recipe handed down from generations of Harriet’s family in the mysterious country of Druhástrana. When teenaged Perdita sets out to find her mother’s long-lost friend, it prompts a new telling of Harriet’s story. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2019

The Story of Arthur Truluv & Night of Miracles
Both by Elizabeth Berg
Both narrated by Elizabeth Berg
DB089990 & DB093396
Book #1 - Grieving widower Arthur eats lunch in the cemetery every day, to be near his wife’s grave. There he meets troubled teenage Maddy, and the pair form a friendship that helps them both out of their isolation. Some strong language and some descriptions of sex. Commercial audiobook. 2017

Book #2 - Inspired by her friend Arthur, Lucille Howard has begun teaching baking classes. She’s even hired lonely divorcé Iris to be her assistant and tries to help her neighbors when tragedy strikes. Sequel to The Story of Arthur Truluv (DB 89990). Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2018

An Arizona Christmas
By William W. Johnstone
Read by Kent Monken
DBC12874
On their way to spend Christmas in Tucson with the rest of the family, Sally Jensen, Preacher, and Smoke Jensen have to battle a dust storm, survive an Apache ambush, and elude a gang of outlaws who are after the cargo of cash on their stagecoach. Some strong language and violence. 2017

The Christmas Star
Read by Donna VanLiere
DB092624
Amy volunteers at after-school program Glory’s Place, where she meets seven-year-old Maddie. Maddie is determined to play matchmaker and believes the perfect man for Amy is an employee of the school Maddie attends. But Amy is hesitant after past heartbreak. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2018

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GIVING

Assisting the Arizona Talking Book Library in providing services to the visually and physically impaired throughout the state can be done directly or indirectly. Giving your time to the Arizona Talking Book Library is one way to support the library in making a difference. Another way to help the library is through donating to the Arizona Friends of Talking Books. Here are a few ways to get involved with donations:

• Make donations to the Arizona Friends of Talking Books (a 501(c)3 charity with Tax ID: 86-1008453) or to the Arizona Talking Book Library throughout the year.
  - Donations made directly to the Arizona Talking Book Library support the general work of the library.
  - Donations to the Arizona Friends of Talking Books support our local recording studio, volunteer program, and special projects.
• If you shop on Amazon, link your account to the AmazonSmile program (http://smile.amazon.com) and designate the Arizona Friends of Talking Books as a recipient of charitable donations. You do not pay any additional money to provide this donation.
• If you shop at Fry’s supermarket, enroll in the Fry’s Community Rewards program to earn rewards for the Arizona Friends of Talking Books (NPO #90668). You do not pay any additional money to sign up or be a part of this program.
• Ask your Facebook friends to donate to Arizona Friends of Talking Books for your birthday or another occasion.
• For example, a volunteer raised almost $500.00 for the Library. What a charitable thing for a volunteer to do, in addition to giving their time.
• Employees of some corporations and businesses are encouraged to donate time and/or money to charitable causes. Please check to see if your employer supports the Arizona Talking Book Library or the Arizona Friends of Talking Books.
• In addition, donations can be made to the Friends or to the library through a charitable bequest as part of a will, living trust or through life insurance. You do not have to rewrite your current document but can add a written amendment called a codicil. Such a bequest only becomes irrevocable at your death. Giving to the library helps support the programs and services we provide to our patrons and helps to secure the future.

Please check with your estate planner and/or financial advisor and add as little as one sentence to ensure that we continue our mission to provide reading materials for those individuals with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical disability that prevents them from reading or holding the printed page.

As the holidays approach, we think about helping others and supporting those programs that benefit the community and provide value to our lives and the lives of others. Thank you for considering a contribution to support talking books.

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SAVE THE DATE

for the
50th Anniversary and Open House
of the
Arizona Talking Book Library
March 19, 2020

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HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

The Arizona Talking Book Library will be closed on these upcoming holidays. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Christmas Day New Year's Day Martin Luther King Jr./Civil Rights Day Presidents' Day

Wed., December 25, 2019 Wed., January 1, 2020 Mon., January 20, 2020 Mon., February 17, 2020

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BRAILLE CALENDARS

Are you interested in receiving a braille calendar?

In past years, the Arizona Talking Book Library requested braille calendars for distribution. We are no longer able to do that.

Instead, individuals are able to place the order themselves from the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults. A blind or low vision person who reads braille can receive up to three braille calendars.

You can reach the American Action Fund at 410-659-9315
or by email at [email protected].

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LINKING TO THE LIBRARY CATALOG IS NOW EASIER!
The new web address is https://az1a.klas.com
If you have previously bookmarked it, please make this change.

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