From the Director’s Desk
Be A Reader, Download!
Kansas Talking Books Week is quickly approaching, during which we’re highlighting BARD, the great NLS service that allows patrons to download braille and audio reading materials. Of particular note, we are hosting three virtual events that week: a BARD Basics webinar, a virtual book club, and a patron open forum. You can find the dates and times below in KTB Updates section.
The big news from NLS is that the large print Talking Book Topics magazine will not be printed for the foreseeable future. I want to assure you that we are dedicated to making sure that you receive the reading materials you want. If you have questions, please call 800-362-0699 and we will help find the best solution for you.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me directly at 620-341-6287 or email me to discuss them.
Stay safe and keep reading.
–Michael Lang, Director
KTB Updates
Kansas Talking Books Week: March 7-11
BARD: Be A Reader, Download! Join us next week as we celebrate the role of Kansas Talking Books in providing accessible reading materials to Kansas residents, thanks in part to the NLS BARD website and mobile app. BARD provides quicker access to books and magazines in audio and electronic braille formats, allowing patrons to download items 24/7.
Stay up to date with Kansas Talking Books Week happenings via our Facebook or Twitter. Check in each day to find out more about BARD and Kansas Talking Books. Here are some events we have planned, so make sure to mark them on your calendars.
BARD Basics: From signing up to downloading books – Webinar: Tuesday March 8 at 10:00 am
Join via Zoom or by dialing in 1-312-626-6799.
Meeting ID: 926 3004 7653
One tap mobile: +13462487799,,92630047653#
Open Patron Forum: Friday March 11 at 3:00 pm
Join via Zoom or by dialing in 1-312-626-6799
Meeting ID: 928 7333 0002
One tap mobile: +13126266799,,92873330002#
Phone Book Club: March 9th BYOB
Bring Your Own Book to our upcoming Quarterly Phone Book Club on Wednesday, March 9. Maggie and Talking Book readers from across the state would love to hear from you about the book(s) you’ve been reading.
Join us for our discussion at either 10:00 a.m. or 12 noon. If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please call Maggie at 620-341-6281 or email our office at KTB@ks.gov. Please let us know which session time you would prefer when you contact our office.
Welcome Jason, New Library Assistant
Jason Brinkman is our new Library Assistant at Kansas Talking Books. Jason’s main duties include audio production and readers’ advisory. He has spent his entire career creating media including as a designer and videographer. He and his wife of 27 years enjoy completing puzzles and visiting their son at college in KC. In what little spare time he can manage, Jason enjoys shooting pool in the local league and operating his amateur radio as call sign K0SSZ.
Field & Stream Now Available
KTB patrons can now receive Field and Stream magazine on talking book cartridge. We have partnered with Audio-Reader Network to record and distribute this magazine. Call 620-341-6282 or email KTB@ks.gov to subscribe.
News from NLS
Large Print Talking Book Topics
Patrons who subscribe to Talking Book Topics (TBT) in large print will not receive the January–February 2022 issue in paper format due to ongoing supply-chain issues and worldwide paper shortages. These problems are expected to continue through the end of 2022, and possibly beyond.
Patrons can access TBT January–February 2022 online in HTML and PDF right now at www.loc.gov/nls/tbt. TBT in HTML contains direct links to BARD for downloading or adding books to wish lists, and TBT in PDF contains printable order forms for mailing. TBT January–February 2022 in audio is available on cartridge and on BARD and BARD Mobile. Additionally, TBT Abridged will be available through Braille Book Review in hardcopy braille and BRF on www.loc.gov/nls/bbr.
New Magazines
NLS has added two new titles to its braille magazine lineup.
Interweave Knits is replacing Knitscene, which is no longer being published. Interweave Knits will be available on BARD and in press braille, with articles on knitting and knitting patterns.
Dogster contains ideas for interacting with dogs, lifestyle stories, new products, and advice on caring for dogs. It will also be available in press braille and ebraille via BARD.
Visit the NLS website for a full list of NLS magazines.
Readers’ Advisor Recommends: Staff Picks
Dylan
DB 96620 The Last Wish: Introducing the Witcher: The Witcher, book 0.5 by Andrzej Sapkowski
Geralt is a witcher, with magic powers that have made him a brilliant fighter and merciless assassin. His targets are monsters that ravage the land and attack the innocent. But not everything monstrous-looking is evil, and not everything fair is good. Translated from original 1993 Polish edition. Violence, strong language, and some descriptions of sex. Commercial audiobook. 2008.
Jason
DB 94170 Midnight in Chernobyl: The story of the world’s greatest nuclear disaster by Adam Higginbotham
An account of the 1986 nuclear power plant disaster in Chernobyl, Ukraine. Discusses the disaster itself, the immediate ecological consequences, the political and economic ramifications for the Soviet Union, and more. Draws on decades of reporting, archival information, and firsthand interviews with witnesses. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2019.
DB 79369 No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the U.S. surveillance state by Glenn Greenwald
Journalist and former lawyer Greenwald describes being contacted by Edward Snowden regarding top secret documents he obtained while working at the National Security Agency (NSA), the process of writing the articles about the story, and the fallout of the revelations. Examines justifications for state surveillance of citizens. Bestseller. 2014.
Michael
DB 105470 Yours Cruelly, Elvira: Memoirs of the mistress of the dark by Elvira
Memoir of the actress who took on the persona of Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, when she was hosting late-night horror movies on TV. Peterson describes leaving home at fourteen and the colorful life she lived, including a stint as a Vegas showgirl, an encounter with Elvis Presley, and more. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2021.
Amanda
DB 18574 The Leper of Saint Giles: Brother Cadfael, book 5 by Ellis Peters
Brother Cadfael, an intrepid medieval monk of Shrewsbury Abbey, takes up the cause of two thwarted lovers. When the body of the prospective bridegroom is found mangled in a forest, the luckless lover is accused. Uncannily equipped by his knowledge of human nature to sniff out a villain, even Cadfael is shocked by a clue from an unexpected source.
Maggie
DB 90012 Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan
Milan, 1943. Teenager Pino Lella becomes involved in the resistance movement to ferry Jews out of Italy. To save him, Pino's family enlists him in the German army. When he is assigned as a driver for General Hans Leyers, Pino begins spying. Violence and some descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 2017.
DB 101141 Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade
Fanfiction writer April Whittier is surprised when actor Marcus Caster-Rupp from her favorite show reaches out to her on social media after a picture of her in a cosplay costume goes viral. She has no idea Marcus has been writing fanfiction anonymously and they are friends online. Strong language and explicit descriptions of sex. Commercial audiobook. 2020.
Nataly
DB 66336 Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
Her sister Alina's murder brings American MacKayla Lane to Ireland. Mac discovers a dangerous world of vampires and fae and realizes that she's a sidhe-seer, someone who can see faeries. With the help of bookseller Jericho Barrons, Mac seeks revenge. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2006.
Upcoming State and Postal Holidays Reminder
Monday, May 30 – Talking Books Closed/Postal Holiday: Memorial Day
Contact Information for Kansas Talking Books
1 Kellogg Circle, Box 4055
Emporia, KS 66801
1-800-362-0699
620-341-6280
KTB@ks.gov
Hours:
Monday – Friday
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m
kslib.info/talking
Talking Books Talk Blog: https://kslib.info/talkingbooks
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kansas.talking.books.service
On Twitter : @KSTalkingBooks