Summer 2019
Vol. 49, No. 1 Summer 2019
- From the Administrator
- Update on the Marrakesh Treaty
- SAVE THE DATE VRATE 2019
- Thank You! Arizona Friends of Talking Books
- Oprah's Book Club
- Would You Like to Share Memories
of the Arizona Talking Book Library? - Whatever Happened To Kindness
- Alexa Instructions For NFB Newsline
- Free Bibles and Religious Subjects
- Do You Have More Than One
Digital Talking Book Machine?
FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR
JANET FISHER
What have you always wanted to do, but haven’t done? Can you identify any of those things?
How about asking yourself what you want to be when you grow up?
Now let’s turn it around and assume that we are realizing a vision or goal. The question then becomes “How did we get here?” Start with the goal and identify the steps that would need to take place.
My goal: I would like for the Arizona Talking Book Library to increase the number of people we service by about 8,000 people in the next few years.
How will we do that?
- The Library will continue to have a reliable service providing reading materials for readers who are unable to read standard print (National Library Service’s criteria).
- The Library shall seek new opportunities to provide more materials and services.
- The Library will continue outreach efforts to groups around the state, including presentations to assisted living centers and at community health fairs.
- The Library will keep our Facebook page up-to-date and use more social media as is appropriate.
- The Library shall continue connecting with related organizations to reinforce learning and support intellectual curiosity in our library users.
- The Library will ask you to tell your friends and neighbors about our program and services. (Many people know someone who may be eligible or see them while shopping or walking around.)
What else can you think of to help us grow?
We welcome your ideas on reaching more people in Arizona with our library services.
Thank you
Janet Fisher, Administrator
UPDATE ON THE MARRAKESH TREATY
(adapted from the Ohio Library for the Blind & Physically Disabled Dimensions Newsletter, Summer 2019)
May 8, 2019 marked the first day of the United States participation in the Marrakesh Treaty. The Marrakesh Treaty will make it easier for those with print disabilities in participating nations to access printed works in accessible formats, such as braille and digital audio files. The Marrakesh Treaty does not impose an obligation to share accessible format copies—it simply grants the right to produce, supply, import, and export an accessible copy.
NLS is working across the Library of Congress and throughout the Legislative Branch to bring existing U.S. laws in line with the treaty while developing new processes necessary for full implementation. On the NLS website, they have added a page to address some of the questions that patrons may have regarding the Marrakesh Treaty as it relates to NLS services. If you are interested in learning more about the treaty, visit http://www.loc.gov/nls/about/organization/laws-regulations/marrakesh-treaty.
SAVE THE DATE -- VRATE 2019
Vision Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Expo
will be two days for 2019.
Friday, November 15th and Saturday, November 16th
at the Glendale Civic Center
9am – 4pm each day.
This free event will include lectures, discussion panels,
and full access to the exhibition center.
Registration for participants and caregivers will open in June.
Vendor and sponsor opportunities are available.
http://www.azfotb.org
Thanks to the Arizona Friends of Talking Books for their fundraising efforts in the Whine-a-Thon, and to all of you who donated money and/or prizes. The additional funding makes it possible to keep our recording equipment and booths in good condition and keep the recording program going, supporting the library’s volunteers and many other things to keep the Talking Book Library a vital part of the community.
The Friends is a non-profit organization (501(c)(3)) that provides outreach, advocacy and development to the Talking Book Library.
If you want to read more about the Whine-a-Thon outcome, go to the Friends website at https://www.azfotb.org/events.
OPRAH'S BOOK CLUB
In 1996, TV talk show host Oprah Winfrey started a book club to recommend books for her viewers to read. In total the club recommended 70 books during its 15 years through 2010. More recently Oprah launched Oprah’s Book Club 2.0 and has recommended a new batch of titles.
You can use the Talking Book Library’s Online Catalog to search for Oprah’s Book Club books by using “OBC” or “Oprah Book Club” in your search. Here are the Oprah’s Book Club 2.0 books that we have in the Talking Book Library:
- Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed (DB74646)
- The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis (DB75968)
- The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd (DB78079)
- Ruby by Cynthia Bond (DB81110)
- The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (DB85212)
- Love Warrior: A Memoir by Glennon Doyle Melton (DB85522)
- Behold the dreamers by Imbolo Mbue (DB85537)
- An American Marriage by Tayari Jones (DB90470)
- The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row by Anthony Ray Hinton (DB90904)
- Becoming by Michelle Obama (DB92627)
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE
MEMORIES OF THE ARIZONA TALKING BOOK LIBRARY
The Arizona Talking Book Library is approaching its 50th Anniversary of talking book library service. The library officially opened on March 19, 1970, so we are gearing up to a celebration in 2020.
Starting with our Winter 2019/2020 issue, we would like to add a piece to each newsletter with reminiscences from our library users that may contain just a few words or longer memories. You can write about something from years ago or more recent – your choice. If you would prefer to call, ask for Janet and talk with me or leave your voice mail.
This is your opportunity to share your experiences in recognition of the library and its 50 years of service to Arizona.
I look forward to hearing from you!
“WHATEVER HAPPENED TO KINDNESS?”
Pretend you’ve just arrived on Earth. You start looking at the Internet to get a good background on the human race. Viewing news sources from around the world, investigating political opinions, and sifting through “chat-groups”, your first question might well be “whatever happened to kindness?” Believe it or not, there are still many humans who believe we cannot continue to exist without it. Here are some books that might well tell us how to revive a principle that seems lost to the human race.
Congratulations, By the Way: Some Thoughts on Kindness
By George Saunders
Expanded version of convocation speech delivered by the author to the 2013 graduating class of Syracuse University. Discusses what he calls “failures of kindness” and what we can do to be more kind. Commercial audiobook. Bestseller. 2014.
DB079031 (Available on BARD) Narrated by the author (male narrator, 14 minutes)
The Kindness Challenge: Thirty Days to Improve Any Relationship
By Shaunti Feldhahn
Presents methods for employing kindness to improve personal relationships. Discusses the importance of kindness, provides a thirty-day challenge for improving mindfulness regarding kindness, and offers tips on tailoring the challenge to specific relationships. Grounds advice in content from the Bible. Commercial audiobook. 2016.
DB089530 (Available on BARD)
Narrated by the author (female narrator, 4 hours, 54 minutes)
The Winners Manual: For the Game of Life
By Jim Tressel
The head coach of the Ohio State University Buckeyes football team presents a revised version of the manual he gives his players. Wanting to encourage and motivated people, Tressel discusses planning, dreams, goals, attitude, discipline, excellence, faith, work, love, responsibility, teamwork, hope, and handling adversity and success. Bestseller 2008.
DB067531 (Available on BARD)
Narrated by Patrick Downer (male narrator, 9 hours, 24 minutes)
Love As A Way of Life: Seven Keys to Transforming Every Aspect of Your Life
By Gary D. Chapman
Minister, marriage counselor, and writer suggests seven traits- kindness, patience, forgiveness, courtesy, humility, generosity, and honesty- form the foundation for loving, compassionate relationships. Offers case studies, questionnaires, and exercises to help readers overcome challenges and develop these characteristics. 2008.
DB068675 (Available on BARD)
Narrated by Bob Moore (male narrator 8 hours, 21 minutes)
ALEXA INSTRUCTIONS FOR NFB NEWSLINE
NFB-NEWSLINE® subscribers can access NFB-NEWSLINE hands-free on any Amazon Alexa product, including Echo and Echo Dot. Below are some sample commands for accessing and using the skill.
Enable the NFB-NEWSLINE Skill
- Say, “Alexa open National Federation.”
- To hear instructions about the skill say, “Alexa ask National Federation to give me instructions.”
Log in to NFB-NEWSLINE
- You will need to log in the first time you open the skill.
- Say, “Alexa open National Federation.”
- Then say, “Alexa ask National Federation to log in.”
- State clearly, “Log in.”
- Provide your subscriber identification number and security code.
Select Content and Navigate Sections and Articles
- Alexa can help you select and move through publications easily with a variety of commands. Here are a few to get you started:
- “Alexa ask National Federation to read The New York Times.”
- “Alexa ask National Federation to read The Wall Street Journal.”
- “Alexa ask National Federation to read next section.”
- “Alexa ask National Federation to go to previous section.”
- Move from article to article by simply saying “Next” or “Previous.” (Please note: all other commands need to begin with “Alexa ask National Federation.”)
Alter Reader Voice and Speed
- “Alexa ask National Federation to change voice.”
- “Alexa ask National Federation to read a little faster.”
- “Alexa ask National Federation to read a little slower.”
- “Alexa ask National Federation to read much faster.”
- “Alexa ask National Federation to read much slower.”
Save an Article
- “Alexa ask National Federation to email me this article.”
General Help Command
- “Alexa ask National Federation to give me instructions.”
FREE BIBLES AND RELIGIOUS SUBJECTS
Did you know that Aurora Ministries provides free Audio Bibles which work with the NLS Digital Talking Book Player? You can keep the Audio Bible cartridge without any time limit. To order a free Audio Bible call Aurora Ministries at 1-941-748-3031 or online at www.auroraministries.org.
Another resource for religious audio books is Xavier Society for the Blind. Their audio books on Catholic-related subjects are now compatible with the NLS Digital Talking Book player. A list of their titles can be found by calling 1-800-637-9193 or online at www.xaviersocietyfortheblind.org.
Readers may also be interested in books relating to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Utah State Library for the Blind and Disabled will loan these books to members of the Talking Books Program. To begin service, contact the Utah Library at 1-800-453-4293.
For questions about other religious texts from these or other religions that are available for loan or downloadable through BARD, contact your Arizona reader advisor at 602-255-5578 or 800-255-5578.
DO YOU HAVE MORE THAN ONE
DIGITAL TALKING BOOK MACHINE?
If you received a replacement machine in the mail, we can assist in getting the extra machine to someone who needs it.
Please contact the Arizona Talking Book Library.
602-255-5578 or 800-255-5578.
We will send a postage-paid mailing label for you or a box to mail the unused machine back to our library.
Thank you.
