Talking Book News Bulletin
Fall 2022

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New Director Ann Minner
Holiday Closings
TBP Poetry Contest
Donations to the Talking Book Program
Youth Services at TBP
Get to know your TBP Staff
Braille Calendars

Online Survey

(PDF), (RTF), (BRF), (MP3)

The Talking Book Program has a new Director.
Please welcome Ann Minner!

Ann Minner has been named the new Director of the Texas Talking Book Program (TBP), a division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC). Minner joins TSLAC from the Austin Public Library system, where she was a former branch manager. Minner brings more than 24 years of experience in library management and youth services in public libraries. She holds an MLIS degree from the University of Texas at Austin, where she was also an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Children’s Literature and Information Studies. 

“I am so excited to reach out to potential patrons who may not know about the program yet,” Minner said. “My team is ready to share this amazing program with even more Texans.”

The Talking Book Program is well established throughout the state and nationally, and Minner would like to work to increase the percentage of Texans reached. She said, “We serve patrons of all ages and abilities and the sheer amount and variety of resources and services available to them is astounding. I see infinite potential and possibilities in the staff and partnerships we already have—so it is only a matter of time.”

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Holiday Closings

The Talking Book Program will be closed on the below listed holidays: 

Friday, November 11 ~ Veteran’s Day
Thursday and Friday, November 24-25 ~ Thanksgiving
Friday and Monday, December 23 and 26 ~ Winter Holiday
Friday, December 30 ~ New Year’s Holiday
Monday, January 16 ~ Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Of course, you can leave a voicemail message or send email on a holiday.

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TBP Poetry Contest

The fifth annual TBP poetry contest is taking place and will run through January. To participate, you must be a current and active TBP patron. Poems will be judged on originality, creativity, and artistic and stylistic quality. Deadline for submissions is January 31, 2023.

Submit poems to:  Talking Book Program
Attn: Public Awareness Coordinator
PO Box 12927
Austin, TX 78711-2927

Or e-mail to: TBPinfo@tsl.texas.gov

PLEASE NOTE: By submitting your poem for the TBP Poetry contest, you are giving consent and permission to the Talking Book Program, its employees, and its agents to use your poem for any purpose whatsoever, including publications, advertisements, and governmental purposes, in all kinds of media and without compensation as part of the Talking Book Program Poetry Contest. These rights are not exclusive.

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Donations to the Talking Book Program

TBP often receives inquiries from patrons and family members of patrons on how to donate to the Talking Book Program. Donations may be made in memory of someone or to simply express appreciation for the program. Donations and bequests have a tremendous impact on the free library service we provide to Texans who are unable to read standard-print material due to visual, physical, or other reading disabilities. TBP is grateful to receive such gifts, which help us maintain and expand our services.

Follow these guidelines to donate to the Talking Book Program:
•    Checks should be made out to the Texas State Library. Credit cards cannot be accepted.
•    Write on the memo line of the check that the money is for the Talking Book Program.
•    If the donor wishes the donation to be used for a specific purpose, instructions should be included. Otherwise, the money will be used in general support of TBP.
•    Mail the donation to: Talking Book Program, P.O. Box 12516, Austin, TX  78711-2516.

Upon receiving a donation, we respond by mailing notice of thanks and a receipt that can be used for tax purposes. Individuals who donate “in memory of” have the option of including the names and addresses of family members so that we can inform them of your gift.

Naming the Talking Book Program as the beneficiary of a charitable bequest is often as simple as adding a few sentences to your will. Before making any kind of gift, you should consult with your attorney or financial advisor. An unrestricted bequest—one that allows us to meet the Talking Book Program’s most pressing needs as they arise—will provide the most useful way for us to continue serving our patrons.

Thank you for supporting the Talking Book Program.

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Youth Services at TBP!

The Texas Talking Book Program is excited to offer a new monthly newsletter just for our youth patrons.

Any patron 18 and younger (or their caregiver) can sign up to receive a youth-specific newsletter each month that will include book lists, BARD tips and tricks, activities, and other fun things. We encourage you to choose the email format because of paper shortages, but the newsletter will also be available in large print and Braille as needed. A Spanish version is also available.

You can sign up here: http://www.tsl.texas.gov/tbp/youthservices 
Or you can call us at 1-800-252-9605

By signing up you’ll be the first to know about new youth service offerings and events!

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Get to Know the TBP Staff

In this newsletter you meet, Kayleigh, one our Reader’s Advisory Librarians. Kayleigh joined the TBP staff in October of 2021.

Name: Kayleigh
Title: Reader’s Advisory Librarian
What do you do? Suggest and help maintain books for our patrons based on their interests. 
What are you most excited about, working for TBP? Learning what topics our readers are in to and connecting them with all the books!
Favorite book? Too hard to choose! I cannot!
Favorite author? Neil Gaiman
What is the last book that you read? PROJECT HAIL MARY by Andy Weir 
DB 103718
Annotation: Ryland Grace awakens on a spaceship far from Earth with no memory and two dead crewmates. As he begins to remember the details of his impossible mission to try to save humanity from an extinction-level threat, he encounters an unexpected ally. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. Bestseller. 2021.
If you could choose a superpower, what would it be? I would want to fly.
What are your hobbies? Embroidery, hiking, my dog, Freya.

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Order your 2023 Braille Calendars Now

The year is 2022, but you can place your orders for braille 2023 calendars now!
Call or send an e-mail and let us know how many calendars you are requesting. Each person is allowed a total of three braille calendars. Make sure your mailing address is current in our system, so we send to the correct place. We do not provide large print calendars, but we can send a list of sources for those calendars. Call 1-800-252-9605 / 512-463-5458, or e-mail tbp.services@tsl.texas.gov 

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TBP would like your input. To take a short survey, please go to online survey http://tinyurl.com/TBPiPadsurvey or call us toll free in Texas 800-252-9605 or 512-463-5458.

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End of Texas Talking Book News
Fall 2022