TBL News Winter 2022-2023
A Division of the Secretary of State
Talking Book News
Vol. 52, No. 3 Winter 2022/2023
FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR
ERIN PAWLUS
In this issue of the newsletter, we continue to introduce you to new staff of the Arizona Talking Book Library! We have welcomed Elizabeth Webb, who is our Youth Services and Engagement Librarian. In addition to serving our younger readers and their families, she helps patrons of all ages with last names A-D.
More information is provided about the Vision Rehabilitation Assistive Technology Expo (VRATE), which is returning to Glendale as an in-person event on Friday, March 31st. For those unable to travel, there will be a virtual information component. We look forward to saying hello to you when you visit our booth!
A Reader Advisor provides you with a reading list to get you excited about National Reading Month. Whatever you choose to read, we hope that you find some new favorite books in March.
Finally, we share some updates from the National Library Service (NLS), including new braille calendars that will be available soon. You will also learn more about a volunteer opportunity in our Machines Services department.
Happy reading!
Erin Pawlus, Administrator
INTRODUCING OUR NEW EMPLOYEE
Hello! My name is Elizabeth Webb, and I am the new Youth Services and Engagement Librarian, though I will be assisting all patrons whose last names begin with the letters A-D! I will also be heading the Summer Reading Program for adults and children this year, with the help of my predecessor Elizabeth Thompson. The name continuity was just a lucky break!
I have been in the valley now for almost 2 years and previously worked for the Maricopa County Library District in Sun City and Surprise. Now I have happily found a spot here at the Arizona Talking Book Library.
However, I’m a bit of a geographical mutt since I was born in Kansas, raised in Northern Michigan, then moved to Kansas for work after completing my undergraduate studies, and most recently lived in Pennsylvania for graduate school! This next fact may surprise some patrons: I have a Master’s Degree in Art History with a focus on 18th Century French & Russian portraiture along with female artists and their education. I have previously worked in Art Museums in the Education Department so I’m very passionate about making art and literature accessible to all. Making hands-on materials for kiddos to use in the galleries, like mini sample oil paintings, was always a fun time!
When I’m not at work you can find me with my rescue pup Gizmo, a hot cup of tea, and plenty of fantasy & science fiction books on my shelves!
I’m excited to help you all with any book requests or questions anytime you call!
VRATE 2023
Vision Rehabilitation Assistive Technology Expo
FRIDAY, MARCH 31st, 2023, 8am - 5pm
GLENDALE CIVIC CENTER, 5750 W. Glenn Dr., 85301
Welcome Back! VRATE is returning as an in-person Expo with a virtual information component.
VRATE is the Southwest’s Largest & Longest Running vision loss & blindness resource event. Participants will be able to learn from our guest speakers, see the latest in assistive technology and connect with others in the blind and deafblind community.
Additionally, VRATE is proud to announce that we will be collaborating with AZ AER! AZ AER provides vision professionals residing or working in Arizona opportunities for professional growth, networking, continuing education and camaraderie through newsletters, conferences, meetings, and electronic communications.
WHERE: Glendale Civic Center
5750 W. Glenn Dr.
Glendale, AZ 85301
HOURS: 8am – 5pm
REGISTRATION: online at www.vrate.org or by
calling to register at 1-877-298-7283
Throughout the Day’s Event: Expo Room – Tech Companies, Government, and Social Service Agencies
Informative Talks, Discussions, Panels, and Forums
15 minute – Quick Talks by Exhibitors
Food Trucks – available for food/drink purchase
MARCH IS NATIONAL READING MONTH
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” - Dr. Seuss
National Reading Month is celebrated in March to honor Dr. Seuss’ birthday! This celebration encourages children and adults alike to spend more time reading for pleasure, learning and building a sense of community.
Please be sure to let others in your family or community that may qualify for this service know about our program. There are many older adults who can no longer read standard print. In some cases, they have spent months and even years, missing out on reading until they start using our service!
In addition to visual impairment and physical disabilities, those who struggle with reading disabilities (such as dyslexia) now qualify for our program. If you know of anyone who has been diagnosed with dyslexia, please let them know about our service. They can then unlock the joy of reading beginning with audiobooks!
Consider becoming part of a book club, and enjoy more social connection with others. The Arizona Talking Book Library hosts its own monthly Book Chat by computer or telephone, running from November to August. Please let us know if you would like to join.
This March, join millions across the country in recognizing National Reading Month! In the process you are helping to fulfill Arizona Talking Book Library’s vision, “That All May Read!”
Below is a list of classic books, books on classics and more…
DB090643 – The cat in the hat and other Dr. Seuss favorites
Eleven humorous Dr. Seuss stories, written between 1940 and 1973, and narrated by celebrities. Includes The Cat in the Hat read by Kelsey Grammer, Horton Hears a Who read by Dustin Hoffman, How the Grinch Stole Christmas read by Walter Matthau, and more. Commercial audiobook. For preschool-grade 2. 1973.
DB066597 – Classics for pleasure
Pulitzer Prize-winning book critic introduces roughly ninety literary authors and recommends some of his favorite works of fantasy, science fiction, horror, adventure, biography, history, and poetry. Contains essays on writers Ovid, Petronius, Agatha Christie, and Philip K. Dick and on Arthurian romances and H. Rider Haggard's She. 2007.
DB055283 – For the love of books: 115 celebrated writers on the books they love most
In brief essays, 115 writers--mostly American, British, and Canadian--identify three to six works that influenced or affected them most deeply and explain why. Respondents to editor Shwartz's invitation, arranged alphabetically, include Dave Barry, Rita Dove, Penelope Fitzgerald, Pete Hamill, Elmore Leonard, Ved Mehta, Joyce Carol Oates, Mario Puzo, and Kurt Vonnegut. 1999.
DB106834 – The outsiders
Tulsa, Oklahoma. Ponyboy, a fourteen-year-old greaser, tells what it is like to come from the wrong side of the tracks and to be bullied by their traditional, upper-middle-class enemy, the Socs. And then a tragedy occurs. Some violence. Commercial audiobook. For junior and senior high readers. 1967.
DB056459 – Reading Lolita in Tehran: a memoir in books
Former professor of English literature in Iran relates her experiences, after resigning her university post in 1995, in continuing to teach seven female students who met secretly at her home each week to discuss literary classics. Nafisi describes how the women, reacting to the Islamic republic's intolerance, resisted oppression and embraced free thought. 2003.
DB107513 – Americanon: an unexpected US history in thirteen bestselling books
The author explores the history and impact of thirteen of America's most popular books that served as cultural touchstones. She analyzes how these ubiquitous titles updated and reemphasized potent American ideals and informed the values and habits of millions of Americans. Commercial audiobook. 2021.
DB051628 – How to read and why
Literary critic Harold Bloom presents "samplings" and interpretations of his favorite literary works to affirm the value of engaged reading. Among the authors discussed are short-story masters Turgenev, Hemingway, Borges, and Calvino; poets Whitman, Dickinson, Wordsworth, and Keats; novelists Cervantes, Stendhal, Austen, Proust, Melville, and Pynchon; and playwrights Shakespeare, Ibsen, and Wilde. 2000.
NEWS FROM THE
NATIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE (NLS)
Launch of the New NLS Spanish-Language Website
The National Library Service has launched a Spanish-language website to help connect Spanish speakers to a large and growing collection of Spanish books and magazines. Readers with low vision or blindness, or a disability that prevents them from using regular print materials can find information about NLS, apply for service, as well as find various resources and library materials in Spanish with ease. Take a look and share with your favorite Spanish-language readers. www.loc.gov/nls/es/
New NLS Online Catalog
Did you know that the National Library Service has their own catalog to search for books? Finding your next great read is easier than ever with the new NLS Catalog search features! NLS Catalog boasts a new, clean design and advanced search functionality, direct links to BARD from catalog listings for quick downloads, and for the first time, patrons can directly request books to add to our collection! Patrons will also find links to contact a librarian and other resources to get the most out of NLS. Start exploring the catalog here: https://nlscatalog.loc.gov.
As a reminder, the Arizona Talking Book Library also has an online catalog that can be used to find and request books to be mailed on cartridge. To set up this service, please call the library at 602-255-5578 and ask to speak to your Reader Advisor. Then, visit us at https://az1a.klas.com/.
Magazine News
These magazines have been added to the collection. Call the library to subscribe!
Braille magazines:
Better Homes and Gardens: A resource for home ideas, food and recipes for everyday and special occasions, and garden know-how. Available for download on BARD Guideposts: Inspirational stories. Available for download on BARD and as hardcopy braille.
Audio magazines:
Harvard Women’s Health Watch: offers timely information in the new age of women’s health and medicine. Includes new prevention strategies, new diagnostic techniques, new medications, and treatments. Available for download on BARD and on cartridge.
Psychology Today: American general-interest psychology magazine. Available for download on BARD and on cartridge.
New Braille Calendars
NLS will be producing two new braille calendars for 2023, which will extend through January 2024. They are expected to be available by mid-July.
To sign up, please call the library at 602-255-5578 and let us know which version you want to receive:
- NLS Braille calendar, wall-sized
- NLS Braille calendar, pocket-sized
Going forward, subscribers will automatically receive new annual braille calendars when they are published.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: DIGITAL MACHINE REPAIR (PHOENIX)
The volunteers at the Arizona Talking Book Library know how rewarding it is to make Talking Book Players available to readers with a visual, physical, or reading disability. Preparing machines for fellow book lovers and those who have never experienced the joy of reading is just one benefit of becoming a Digital Machine Repair volunteer.
- Time commitment: 2-4 hours once a week
- Learn to repair digital cartridge machines that play talking books, including following a checklist of procedures, visual inspection of case and power cord, cleaning, and diagnosing problems.
- Enjoy the camaraderie of working with a group of volunteers and staff.
- Some mechanical knowledge is helpful but not mandatory.
- All necessary training will be provided.
- Repair group meets in Phoenix.
If you are interested, please fill out the online application:
https://azlibrary.gov/webform/volunteer-application
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
