TBL News Fall 2023
A Division of the Secretary of State
Talking Book News
Vol. 53, No. 2 Fall 2023
BRAILLE LITERACY
January is Braille Literacy month – something that impacts many of our patrons of all ages! This celebration is in honor of Louis Braille, who was born on January 4th, 1809. Literacy and language are the cornerstones to a productive life for everyone, regardless of ability or age. Literacy is a term that gets thrown around without a lot of explanation; at the most fundamental level, literacy is the ability to read and write which encompasses skills such as grammar and punctuation.
For those who are visually impaired, braille is an extremely important foundation of literacy. Braille helps to level the playing field by providing access to knowledge, an overall higher chance of success in the job market, and greater independence – specifically when navigating the world around us.
As you know, the Arizona Talking Book Library primarily serves patrons through audiobooks. However, we know that they do not allow the listener to understand how words are spelled, how punctuation operates, or even how words are made possessive with apostrophes! Audiobooks rely, almost exclusively, on the listener to interpret context clues to derive meaning – which is an important skill but does not replace literacy skills. This is why braille can be so important in a reader’s life.
Braille is an effective way to learn reading comprehension and writing skills in a physical format regardless of whether it is physical braille or electronic braille. Technology like the Braille eReader, available from the Arizona Talking Book Library, has made it so braille readers can go paperless with their literary skills. Since the HumanWare model that we circulate does not have a note taking feature, some readers prefer to purchase their own refreshable braille display if they are seeking more advanced functions for writing.
Braille literacy, at any age, helps to ensure that everyone has access to great opportunities in their lifetime. If you are interested in learning braille, the library can assist you in finding organizations that can help.
JUST A QUICK NOTE ON YOUR BOOK CARTRIDGES...
Many people don’t realize how easy it is to return a book cartridge:
- We put our return address and the Free Matter for the Blind postmark on the case, so you don’t have to save the postcard, simply recycle it.
- The cases and cartridges are not a matched set. Any cartridge can be returned in any case.
- We will even send you an extra case if one has wandered off.
Our book cartridges have a checkout period of three months and can be renewed for another three months. But don’t stress! There are no late fines. To find your due date call the library, or it is printed in BOLD on the right side of the mail card, just past your name.
INTRODUCING OUR NEW EMPLOYEE
Hi! My name is Cassidy Crone, and I will be joining the Arizona Talking Book Library Team as a Reader Advisor for patrons with last names S-Z! I will also be working to expand the presence of the library online as a Social Media Specialist. I am looking forward to serving the Arizona community in this position!
I was born and raised in Tucson before I moved to New Jersey to pursue my undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in German Language and Culture. Although I still love engineering, following a gap year where I gained customer service and managerial experience working at Bookmans Midtown Entertainment Exchange, I found my passion for librarianship. In 2022 I moved to Dublin, Ireland, where I completed my Masters in Library Studies and took courses on everything from teaching librarianship and youth services to archives preservation. I was also able to travel both within Ireland and to several other countries in Europe and learn about many different cultures. I even got to visit the Gutenberg Museum in Germany and see some of the oldest printed books in the world!
In addition to traveling, my other hobbies include cooking, crocheting plushies, and creative writing. I am also (of course) an avid reader, and although I read a wide array of genres from science fiction to romance to nonfiction science writing, my favorite authors include Octavia Butler, N.K. Jemisin, James Baldwin, and Han Kang. I am excited to begin working here, and I look forward to meeting the patrons of the Arizona Talking Book Library!
ACCESSIBLE CALENDARS ARRIVING SOON
2024 calendars will be mailed to those who have a subscription. If you still need to sign up, please call the library at 602-255-5578 and let us know if you would prefer a large print or braille calendar. We thank our Arizona Friends of Talking Books for providing the funding for our annual large print calendar!
The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) now offers two different sizes of braille calendars, either wall-sized or pocket-sized. Library staff can help you subscribe to these new calendars, which will be sent automatically each year.
BOOK CHAT: YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Question: | What is Book Chat? |
Answer: | Book Chat is a book discussion group sponsored by the Arizona Talking Book Library and supported with funds granted by the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records, a division of the Arizona Secretary of State, under the Library Services and Technology Act, which is administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Participants enjoy the diversity of ages, backgrounds, and opinions, and are often amazed at the variety of input when everyone reads the same book. |
Question: | How often does Book Chat meet, and where? |
Answer: | Interested readers meet online via Zoom to discuss a wide variety of books.
Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month, October through August, at 10:00 am and 6:00 pm. We average 5-10 members attending each meeting; if you prefer a smaller group, the morning group usually has fewer people. |
Question: | I don’t use a computer. Can I still join Book Chat? |
Answer: | Some of our members join the discussions using their phones. We are also happy to call you to link you into the meeting if you have difficulty with dialing in. |
Question: | If I just want to listen to the discussion, do I have to talk? Or if I didn’t get a chance to read the book, may I still join the meeting? |
Answer: | Although we love to hear everyone’s input and opinions on the books, if you prefer to just listen you are still welcome to join. You’re always welcome to sit in; often, there are related questions that anyone can answer, whether or not they read the book. |
Question: | How are books chosen for Book Chat? |
Answer: | Members are encouraged to suggest titles for the annual ballot. In addition, the facilitator rounds out the list with books on a variety of topics including historical fiction, Arizona interest, classics, and general fiction and nonfiction. Members vote on the schedule for the next season from the annual ballot. |
Question: | What are some of the books that have been discussed? |
Answer: | Some popular titles from past years include: The Journal of Sedona Schnebly (Lisa Schnebly Heidinger) The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry (Gabrielle Zevin) Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale (Gwen Cooper) Big Stone Gap (Adriana Trigiani) |
Question: | What books are on the schedule for the upcoming season? |
Answer: | You can get the entire schedule from the Talking Book Library; coming up next: December 2023: Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope - Gabrielle Giffords, Mark Kelly, Jeffrey Zaslow (DB74049) January 2024: Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself - Alan Alda (DB64972) |
Question: | Sounds interesting! How can I sign up? |
Answer: | Just call the library – 602-255-5578, or 800-255-5578. Your Reader Advisor will be happy to get you started. |
KEEP LISTENING THROUGHOUT THE SEASON
At the end of the year, the USPS sometimes experiences delays in mail service due to increased demand during the holidays. Here are some ways to make sure you are prepared.
Consider temporarily increasing the number of books on each cartridge
Did you know each mail card can list up to 8 book titles? You can take advantage of the increased capacity of these cartridges to hold 8 (or more!) books on each one you receive.
Start reading NOW with Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD)
If you have a personal device like a smartphone or tablet, you may be able to download books through the BARD Mobile app! Call the library at 602-255-5578 to learn how to sign up or to get help with downloading your first book.
Out of books? Pick up your phone!
The library, through a partnership with the Arizona Department of Economic Security, provides access to NFB-NEWSLINE® for all patrons. This is a free audio and braille news service for anyone who is blind, low-vision, deafblind, or otherwise print-disabled. More than 500 publications are available at anytime of day or night, including magazines and local, national, and international newspapers. Subscribers also have access to emergency weather alerts and forecasts, TV and job listings, retail ads, and more. While there are many ways to read the content electronically, a computer isn’t necessary. You can simply dial into NFB-NEWSLINE® with a phone. Call the library to sign up.
Expand your options with other local services
Sun Sounds of Arizona provides audio access to print information for people who cannot read or hold print material due to a disability. This organization broadcasts the reading of over 200 local and national publications 24/7! Their programming is available through a special radio, smart home device, or online. You can even pop some popcorn and listen to audio described movies from the comfort of your own home. Visit sunsounds.org or call 480-774-8300 to apply for this free service.
Volunteers at Recorded Recreational Reading for the Blind record a weekly audio news magazine called Valley Talking News for listeners in Maricopa County. It is available on cartridge and as a podcast. For more information about their service, call 623-933-0985 or visit www.readingfortheblind.org.
iCanConnect
Free Telecommunications Equipment for Eligible Individuals with Combined Hearing and Vision Loss
iCanConnect is a Federal Communication Commission (FCC) funded program, also referred to as the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP). iCanConnect provides free modern equipment and training for distance communication purposes to people with both significant vision and hearing loss, who meet disability and income guidelines.
iCanConnect is a nationwide program with local contacts to help people stay connected with friends, family, their community, and the world. Each U.S. state and territory has a certified organization that is responsible for the program, including the Perkins School for the Blind, which administers services in twenty-three states and territories.
People eligible for iCanConnect services receive a personalized assessment to identify solutions to support their distance communication needs. Then, participants are provided with equipment and training that meets their specific situation. Examples of equipment might include smartphones, tablets, computers or laptops, large print screen magnification software, and refreshable braille devices.
In Arizona, Perkins School for the Blind is responsible for iCanConnect, and works with The Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ACBVI) and others to provide in-state service.
Contact ACBVI for any questions about applying for the program. Applications, including English and Spanish large print, are available online at www.icanconnect.org/how-to-apply/arizona/.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (602) 273-7411 ext. 131
VP: (602) 429-0090
Fax: (602) 273-7410
For other inquiries about the program, you may also contact:
The National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (iCanConnect):
Toll-Free: (800) 825-4595 or visit www.icanconnect.org
Any mention of products and services in Talking Book News is for information only and does not imply endorsement.
Talking Book News is also available in other formats including our website at http://www.azlibrary.gov/talkingbooks If you would like to receive this newsletter on cartridge or in email, please call 602-255-5578 or 1-800-255-5578.
Talking Book News is published quarterly by the Arizona Talking Book Library, Archives and Public Records, a Division of the Secretary of State.
Administrator: Erin Pawlus.
Assistant Administrator: Elizabeth Thompson