Talking Book News Bulletin
Spring 2023

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Summer Reading Program
Talking Book Program Blog
Technology Blurb
New Magazines
NLS News
NLS Catalog Search Features
Holidays
Poetry Contest Winner

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Summer Reading Program Kicks Off June 5

Our ALL-AGES summer reading program is returning for its second year on June 5, 2023! This year’s theme is All Together Now and focuses on friendship, kindness, and unity. Sign up is now open.

More information will be sent out as we get closer, but you can always check our summer reading webpage for updates at www.tsl.texas.gov/tbp/summerreadingprogram.

From June 5 until August 11, you’ll get themed book lists and matching activities by age group, and, by reviewing books, you can be entered for a chance win the grand prize at the end of summer. This year, the National Library Service is also providing several virtual events, including a kickoff party and live author talks!

We can’t wait for you to join us this summer!

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Talking Book Program Blog

Did you know that the Talking Book Program (TBP) has a blog? Our Reader’s Advisory Librarians and staff curate book lists and provide program updates, from events to activities to resources, that we think might be of interest to you. We have included some titles from the book lists added in the past few months. Visit the TBP Blog at www.tsl.texas.gov/texastalkingbooks/.

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Technology Blurb

Did you know that you can access TBP books on your smartphone or tablet? Download the BARD Mobile app from the App Store or Google Play store to get started. Through the app, you can search for new books, browse popular books, and even listen directly on your device. All you need to get started is your email address and password. If you are unsure if you are registered for BARD or have forgotten your password, give us a call at 1-800-252-9605 or email us at tbp.services@tsl.texas.gov.

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New Program Magazines Added to Collection

Did you know that patrons of TBP have access to dozens of magazines? NLS has added new audio magazines to the NLS collection. Magazines are available on BARD or by Magazine on Cartridge (MOC). If you would like to start receiving these, give us a call at 1-800-252-9605 or send an email to tbp.services@tsl.texas.gov.

American Indian - AMI4. www.americanindianmagazine.org/about-magazine
First issue: Summer 2023. Quarterly.
 
Baseball Digest - BAS4. http://baseballdigest.com
First issue: May/June 2023. Bimonthly.
 
Bookmarks - BKM4. www.bookmarksmagazine.com
First issue: May/June 2023. Bimonthly.
 
Consumer Reports: On Health - CRH4. www.consumerreports.org/health
First issue: April 2023. Monthly.
 
Cooking Light - CKG4. www.cookinglight.com
First issue: Summer 2023. Quarterly

Dogster - DOG4. www.dogster.com/meet-the-dogster-authors
First issue: April 2023. Bimonthly.

Fiyah Literary Magazine - FIY4. www.fiyahlitmag.com
First issue: April 2023. Quarterly.
 
Golf Digest - GLF4. www.golfdigest.com
First issue: April 2023. Monthly.

Guideposts - GUI4. www.shopguideposts.org/guideposts-magazine.html
First issue: April 2023. Bimonthly.

International Living Magazine - ILM4. http://internationalliving.com
First issue: April 2023. Monthly.

Jet - JET4. http://myjetstory.com
First issue: TBD
 
Make - MAK4. http://subscribe.makezine.com
First issue: April 2023. Quarterly.

Prevention Magazine - PRE4.
http://shop.prevention.com/prevention-magazine-sem.html
First issue: April 2023. Monthly.

Scientific American - SCA4.
www.scientificamerican.com/page/about-scientific-american
First issue: April 2023. Monthly.

Selecciones del Reader’s Digest (Spanish-language version of Reader’s Digest) - SRD4  First issue: April 2023. Monthly.
 
The Sun Magazine - SUN4. www.thesunmagazine.org
First issue: April 2023. Monthly.

Vanidades (Spanish language) - VAN4.
www.tususcripcion.com/product/n-vanidades  First issue: April 2023. Monthly.

Wax Poetics - WAX4. www.waxpoetics.com/about
First issue: April 2023. Semi-annually.
 
Yoga Journal - YOG4. www.yogajournal.com
First issue: TBD

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NLS News and Information

Interested in getting the latest news and information for the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS)? NLS recently launched their Patron Engagement Section listserv that will provide information and announcements about NLS programs, services, and products that will be of interest to all Talking Book Program patrons. If you are interested in signing up for the list service, please send your name and email address to the Patron Engagement Section to NLSPES@loc.gov You will be unable to unsubscribe for the list at any time.

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New NLS Catalog Search Features

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: http://nlscatalog.loc.gov

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Holidays

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

Monday, May 29 ~ Memorial Day
Tuesday, July 4 ~ Independence Day

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

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Poetry Winner Announcement

April is National Poetry Month and in honor of this, we are pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 TBP Poetry contest. We received a range of poems—some were happy, some were sad, and some were touching. We hope you enjoy.

2023 Winner: Lives are Blessed by TBP by Deborah Wedley
One fateful day, I had a stroke,
And let me tell you, it was no joke;
It hurt me very badly;
The results made me feel very sadly;
Did something unfortunate also happen to you?
There are still things that you can do to live the rest of your life as God wants us to,
Well, let’s thank God because we’re still alive,
We must trust in him to help us survive,
The road may be hard, but we must progress,
If we never give up and keep doing our best.
Life may be different then it was before.
That just gives us the drive to reach out for more.
Thankfully there are resources to help us continue to move,
If we decide that we want to improve.
This TBP is outstanding in design.
I pray it benefits your life as it wonderfully does mine.
No matter our conditions, we’re blessed to be alive.
This Talking Book Program by NLS,
Improves and enlightens our quality of life and because of that we’re greatly blessed.

Second Place: Golden Coins of Autumn © by Carl Ray Williams
Like Golden coins from The Lord,
the leaves of autumn cover the yard.
Colors so beautiful and so bright,
sparkling with dew in the morning light.
They roll and tumble across the street, making piles of color wherever they meet.
They seem to be in such a hurry,
dancing with the wind in all their glory.
To find the place that is best,
for Golden coins to take their rest.
God puts the green of summer to bed,
with a golden pillow for its head.
Autumn is part of God's plan,
for nature and of course for man.
Christians are like the leaves of Gold,
shining brightest when they are old.
Autumn is coming, soon or late,
merciful God, gives not the date.

Honorable Mention: Friendships by Marielle Abrams
Friendships can be like a seed,
It can grow and change,
It can change and rearrange,
It can get strong and bloom.

Friendships can be like a rainforest,
It can be soothing like nature sounds,
It can be peaceful like the rain,
It can be warm and inviting.

Friendships can be like a storm,
It can be loud and confusing,
It can have thundering words,
It can have lightening emotions.
It can get calm after the storm.

Friendships can be like a volcano,
It can get hot tempers erupting,
It can have toxic feelings,
One can feel the smoking anger,
It can explode and be destructive.

Interested more poetry? Check out some poetry that is in our collection.

A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children by Caroline Kennedy     
DB 61660

Classic Poetry by Michael Rosen    
DB48737

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End of Texas Talking Book News
Spring 2023