WELCOME TO THE SPRING 2017 NEWSLETTER OF THE NEW JERSEY STATE LIBRARY TALKING BOOK AND BRAILLE CENTER

Every year I tell you how I love saying goodbye to winter and hello to spring. Although the past winter was mild, this year is no different. It’s spring and time to garden again, one thing I love to do!

When I think of spring, I think of change and growth. For the New Jersey State Library Talking Book & Braille Center (TBBC), spring is a time of change and growth as you will read about in this newsletter. One change I want to mention is with our program to download books through BARD. The new BARD Express program makes downloading easier and can identify and download every book in a series.

Another recent change is that we are no longer recording New Jersey newspapers. Over the years, the way people get their news has changed. Many of the same newspapers are available on Newsline and we are working on other ways to present some of the programs.

Finally, if you know of anyone who likes to golf please encourage them to attend our golf tournament on June 12, and also be sure to mark the date, Saturday, October 14, for our Fall Festival at the Grounds for Sculpture.

Thank you and have an enjoyable and safe spring. Mary Mary L. Chute, New Jersey State Librarian DOWNLOAD YOUR AUDIOBOOKS AND AUDIO MAGAZINES

TBBC offers access to the Braille and Audio Reading Download site (BARD). From BARD, you can download audiobooks and audio magazines to play on your digital talking book machine or on your smartphone or tablet.

In BARD, you will find over 63,000 audiobooks and over 60 audio magazines. Don’t have a BARD account? Apply online: * To register for BARD, go to https://nlsbard.loc.gov
* Select “BARD Application Instructions” * Select “Link to BARD Application for Individuals” * Complete the application. Select NJ as your library * Submit your application * We will review your application on our end and you will receive an email from us when it is approved.

BARD EXPRESS IS HERE!

Have you tried downloading from BARD to a flash drive, but found it difficult? We are pleased to announce that a new and much easier option is available: BARD Express.

BARD Express is for TBBC members who have a Windows computer and who use the digital talking book machine. BARD Express simplifies the downloading. You will love it! Here is how to find it:

• Log into BARD (if you have forgotten your password, call us and we will reset it)
• At the BARD Home page, scroll to the bottom of the page and find the heading “Additional Links”
• Look for BARD Express and download it to your computer

If you have a smartphone or tablet, you do not need BARD Express. You can use the BARD Mobile app!

Do you have questions? Call us and hold the line to speak with a Reader’s Advisor: 800-792-8322. We will help get you started.

SUMMER READING PROGRAM

Last summer’s reading program had over sixty children and teens reading! Help make 2017’s Summer Reading Program even bigger! As a reminder, TBBC’s program is the only New Jersey library summer program that is entirely by mail. For six weeks, every participant receives a package in the mail full of activities, booklists, jokes and recipes. Fun toys and other prizes are sent, thanks to the generosity of our Friends group. Children and teens are also encouraged to join their local public library summer reading programs, and to go to their public libraries for local crafts and activities.

TBBC will send out applications for the program in spring; but if you don’t want to wait, you can always sign up now! Call 800-792-8322, extension 823 or 804, or email tbbcyouth@PROTECTED to sign up for Summer Reading 2017!

LEAP INTO LEARNING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Are you 55 or older with a change in your vision? Free assistive technology classes are available for you at seven New Jersey public libraries through the Library Equal Access Program (LEAP)! Explore computers equipped with magnification and speech. Learn to use the iPad! For a schedule of classes and to register, call Advancing Opportunities at 888-322-1918, extension 501. You will be amazed by the computer and iPad software available to assist your vision.

LEAP is provided through an innovative collaborative partnership. The New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, in partnership with the New Jersey State Library Talking Book & Braille Center, is offering this free training. Advancing Opportunities, a leader in assistive technology training, will provide the instruction. The classes are offered at seven public libraries who have generously partnered for LEAP: * Atlantic City Free Public Library * Atlantic County Library System – Mays Landing branch * Cherry Hill Public Library * East Brunswick Public Library * Johnson Public Library – Hackensack * Ocean County Library – Toms River branch * South Orange Public Library

Questions? Want to register for a LEAP class? Call Advancing Opportunities for the schedule of classes and for registration:
888-322-1918, extension 501.

AUDIOVISION AND NEWSLINE

On March 1, 2017, TBBC discontinued its daily recordings of selected New Jersey newspapers through Audiovision. Processes for the delivery of news have changed and our Audiovision audience has changed with them. Access to Audiovision’s national 24 hours a day, 7 days a week programming will continue through June 30, 2017.

For local New Jersey news, the Asbury Park Press, Bergen Record, New Jersey Grocery Ads and Newark Star Ledger will be available through the Newsline service. Newsline provides access to over 300 publications including four newspapers in Spanish. For more information, call TBBC at 800-792-8322.

TBBC will continue to record books of local interest in our studios.

A VERY SHORT INTRODUCTION

Are you interested in learning more about a particular subject but don’t want to listen to a long book? Do you just want a general overview? TBBC has a new series of books called “A Very Short Introduction.” These books are less than six hours and cover a variety of topics, including the American Revolution (DB85554), Egyptian Myth (DB85634), Fashion (DB86090), Laws of Thermodynamics (DB86152), and Nutrition (DB86423). For more information, call TBBC at 800-792-8322.

GETTING BOOKS

A quick reminder that there are many ways for you to get the books you want! You can call us at 800-792-8322 and speak to Reader Services about the book you want. Or, you can email us at tbbc@PROTECTED. TBBC’s full catalog of books is available online at http://opac.njlbh.org/opacnj/ and you can search it (don’t forget, our audiobooks are called “digital books” and only start with DB), and even place an order – just call or email us to get your User ID and password.

If TBBC is sending you books that you don’t like, it may be that your favorite subjects and authors are out-of-date. What you liked last year or five years ago may not be what you want now! Call or email us to update those subjects. You can also ask for more or fewer books to be sent out.

THE SIXTH ANNUAL NJ STATE LIBRARY TBBC GOLF CLASSIC

It’s Tee Time…. For Talking Books! This year we are proud to announce that the 6th Annual TBBC Golf Classic is on Monday, June 12, 2017, once again at Hopewell Valley Golf & Country Club in Hopewell, NJ. Come out and enjoy a friendly day of golf, fine dining and prizes. If you or anyone you know is interested in golfing, sponsoring, volunteering or donating an auction item contact Linda Cerce in the Development Office at 800-792-8322, extension 835 or email lcerce@PROTECTED.

To register, sponsor and make payment online visit our website at www.njstatelib.org/tbbc.

RECOGNITION WALL

Bestow a gift that will last a lifetime! Honor those who contribute, support and utilize TBBC’s services by purchasing a personalized book-shaped plaque, displayed on our Recognition Wall in our library for every visitor to view. To view and order a book-shaped plaque visit our website at www.njstatelib.org/tbbc/donate and click on Donate Online under Recognition Wall. For more information, contact Linda Cerce in the Development Office at 800-792-8322, extension 835 or email lcerce@PROTECTED.

MOVING? DON’T FORGET TO TELL US!

Have you moved? Do you have a new phone number? Have you changed your email? Don’t forget to let TBBC know! You can call us at 800-792-8322, email us at tbbc@PROTECTED or write us with your updated contact information. Even if you borrow only using BARD, we still need to have your up-to-date contact information.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY

The Friends of the New Jersey Library for the Blind and Handicapped is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes financial assistance and acts as an advocacy group to the New Jersey State Library Talking Book & Braille Center. The Friends support and promote the services and programs of TBBC. They meet twice a year on the first Saturday in June and December at the Joseph Kohn Training Center in New Brunswick, NJ.

For additional information and a membership application, visit the Friends’ website at http://www.friendsnjlibraryfortheblind.org or call 609-888-5459. The Friends' email address is Friendsnjlbh@PROTECTED and their mailing address is:

The Friends of the NJLBH
P.O. Box 434
Woodbridge, NJ 07095-0434

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE NEW JERSEY STATE LIBRARY TALKING BOOK AND BRAILLE CENTER

 Toll-Free Phone Number (800) 792-8322

 Local Phone Number     (609) 406-7179

 Email Address          tbbc@PROTECTED

 Website Address            www.njstatelib.org/tbbc