News and Announcements

As of October 2024, the National Library Service (NLS) is requiring new applicants and existing patrons under the age of 18 to provide parental acknowledgment for NLS services and devices. The policy is being implemented at this time to bring NLS into compliance with a new Library of Congress policy that took effect in March of 2024.  

To avoid disruption to service for your child, you will need to provide parental acknowledgment in writing by January 1, 2025. If parental acknowledgment is not provided for existing patrons by January 1, 2025, your child’s account will be suspended, and they will not receive any materials. Your child’s account can be reinstated after that date by submitting the parental acknowledgement form. If you do not wish to provide the signed form, NLS devices and reading materials utilized by your child must be promptly returned to the NYS Talking Book and Braille Library.

Please note that providing parental acknowledgement will not give you access to your child’s reading and borrowing history. Your child will not be required to reapply for service upon turning 18. However, the responsibility for NLS services and devices must be transferred to your child at that time.

Parental acknowledgment must be submitted in writing. Written acknowledgment may be provided by mail or email. Verbal parental acknowledgment by phone will not be accepted. 

Requirements under the Parental Acknowledgment for NLS Services and Devices Policy

Parents/guardians of minors are asked to acknowledge and accept the NLS program terms:

• Your child will receive services and equipment and will have access to the entire NLS catalog of reading material without content-based limits.
• You will return all items loaned to your child (including digital talking book cartridges, hard copy braille, book players, and accessories) when no longer needed.  

Instructions for Existing Patrons

If a valid email address is associated with your child’s account, NLS will send a link for a parent / guardian to complete the required Parental Acknowledgment form.  

You may also do one of the following:

• Submit a Parental Acknowledgment Supplemental Form by mail or email, or
• Submit by mail or email a written statement of parental acknowledgment

If you choose to submit a written statement, you must include the following statement in your correspondence:  

As the parent/guardian of the patron, I acknowledge that my child will receive services and equipment and that my child will have access to the entire NLS catalog of reading material. I acknowledge that all materials and equipment (including digital talking book cartridges, hard-copy braille, book players, and accessories) must be returned when no longer needed.  

[Insert typed name, address, email address, and name of child]  

[Insert date]

Please make sure to include your contact information and your child’s name and contact information. 

Instructions for New Patrons

Please complete the Individual Application and the Parental Acknowledgement form. Submit both documents to the Talking Book and Braille Library.  

Additional Questions  

Please don’t hesitate to contact TBBL with any questions about this change. We’re happy to help!

Alternatively, you can contact the NLS Information Services Section by email at nlsref@loc.gov or by phone at 800-424-8567. 

We are pleased to let everyone know about a new software update that is available for the Zoomax eReader. The National Library Service (NLS) just released software version 2.13 to the public. This version is being referred to as a “hot fix” update, as it was created to deal with glitches in the software program that were making it difficult for patrons to navigate BARD using their Zoomax devices. Once installed, version 2.13 should enable users to access and download material from BARD and NFB Newsline without any problems. 

Update Your eReader 

There are two ways to update your eReader:  

1. Via the internet, or  
2. with a library-provided cartridge

If you do not have access to the Internet and need a cartridge, please contact TBBL, and we would be happy to send you one for updating your Zoomax.  

Below are the instructions for updating via the Internet: 

1. Connect your Zoomax eReader to AC power 
2. From the Zoomax main menu, navigate to device info 
3. Press Enter to select it 
4. Navigate to app update 
5. Press Enter to select it 
6. Navigate to version 2.13 
7. Press S3 to bring up the context menu 
8. Navigate to install 
9. Press Enter to select it and install the update 
10. When the "version installed successfully" message is displayed, navigate to OK and press Enter. In a few seconds, the eReader will restart and you will be at the top of the Main Menu 

If you have any questions, please contact us at TBBL and we will do our best to assist you. 

Zoomax Patron Listserv 

If you already belong to the NLS Zoomax Patron Listserv, then you may already know about the availability of this new update. If you do not subscribe to the Listserv, we encourage you to do so. It is an easy way to find out about any news regarding the Zoomax, including announcements about bug fixes. You can also learn from other Zoomax users or pose your own questions to the community.  

To subscribe to the Zoomax patron listserv, compose an email to the following  address: LISTSERV@listserv.loc.gov. Leave the subject of the message blank. In the body of the message, put the following text: 

subscribe NLS-ZM-EREADERPILOT FirstName LastName  

Be sure to replace the FirstName and LastName placeholders with your first and last name. 

Within a few minutes, you will receive a "Command confirmation request" email with a request confirmation link. Click on this link to complete your subscription request.

This month we celebrate the history of New York State and look particularly at the Dutch influence on this history. Our list includes titles for all ages, mostly nonfiction but with a few historical fiction titles as well. Read, learn, and enjoy!

The morning chair, DB043247, by Barbara M. Joosse

Bram is a little Dutch boy who lives with his parents in a seaside village. In 1950 Bram’s family gets immigration papers to move to America. Bram’s mother had told him about America while they sat in their morning chair and sipped tea. Now both chair and family have a new home. For grades K-3. 2017.

The Jews of New Amsterdam, DB030469, by Eva Deutsch Costabel

Early one September morning in 1654, twenty-three Jews escaping persecution in Brazil sailed into the harbor of New Amsterdam (now New York). The governor wanted to expel them, but his employer, the Dutch West India Company, gave them permission to stay. Restrictions were placed on their freedom, however. They could not own homes, join the army, or hold certain jobs. This book tells the story of how they adapted and progressed. For grades 3-6. 1968.

American Archaeology Uncovers the Dutch Colonies, DB071662, by Lois Miner Huey

Discusses archaeological finds at sites in New York and Delaware colonized by the Dutch between 1609 and 1664. Explains what scientists have learned from the garbage of ordinary settlers who lived in forts, towns, and farms. For grades 4-7. 2010.

New York, BR009011 and DB034611, by Donald H. Bragaw, R. Conrad Stein, Paul J. Scudiere, and Robert L. Hillerich

Since its founding as a Dutch colony, New York has served as the gateway to America. Millions of immigrants to the United States have passed through New York City. And millions have chosen to stay there, making New York City the largest city in the nation and one of the most culturally diverse in the world. New York state also leads in industry, agriculture, and commerce. An introduction to the "Empire State" for grades 4-7 and older readers. 1989.

Martin Van Buren 8th President of the United States, BR007999 and DB030108, by Rafaela Ellis

Martin Van Buren was born in 1782 in a small Dutch community in New York. Although Martin was needed to work in his family's tavern, he finished the academy and became a law apprentice when he was fourteen. He soon discovered politics and moved to New York City where he became a notable lawyer and politician. He was elected president in 1836. For grades 5-8 and older readers. 1990.

The Mohawk, DB072686, by Nancy Bonvillain

History of the New York state Mohawk, the largest nation in the Iroquois Confederacy. Discusses the tribe's seventeenth-century fur-trading partnership with the Dutch and the English, skill at basketry, and adjustments to twentieth-century changes. For grades 6-9 and older readers. 2005.

A Brief Political and Geographic History of North America: Where Is New France, New Netherland, And New Sweden, DB068569, by Lissa Jones Johnston.

Discusses three major colonies that played important but little-known parts in the history of North America prior to the establishment of the thirteen colonies that became the United States. Covers related geographic names and key leaders. For grades 6-9. 2008.

The Hudson: A History, DB062666, by Tom Lewis

An overview of the Hudson River region since its seventeenth-century discovery by Europeans and changes to the area over time. Details its geography from the Adirondacks to New York City. Discusses the waterway's importance in travel, commerce, industry, and war and as an inspiration to artists, writers, and environmentalists. 2005.

The Island at The Center of The World: The Epic Story of Dutch Manhattan and The Forgotten Colony That Shaped America, DB058272, by Russell Shorto

Portrait of the "first New Yorkers"--the earliest European inhabitants of Manhattan predating the thirteen "original" English colonies. From archival documents including letters, deeds, journals, and court proceedings, the author reconstructs the multiethnic Dutch settlement and clash of two seventeenth-century powers that ended in 1664 when England took over Manhattan. 2004.

A history of the Jews in America, DB036162, by Howard Morley Sachar

Begins with the transplanting of European Jews to the New World and the establishment of New Amsterdam in 1654. Also discusses subsequent Jewish immigration, especially from eastern Europe; challenges newcomers face adapting to a new world while retaining their heritage; milestones in Jewish life, such as the Holocaust and the Six-Day War; and Jewish involvement in society. 1992.

City of dreams a novel of Nieuw Amsterdam and early Manhattan, DB064726, by Beverly Swerling

In 1661, English surgeon Lucas Turner and his sister Sally, an apothecary, arrive at the Dutch settlement on the island of Manhattan. Violence and betrayal soon make the siblings enemies, beginning a feud that resonates for generations. Violence, some descriptions of sex, and some strong language. 2001.

Knickerbocker's History of New York, DB030658, by Washington Irving

Knickerbocker is an imaginary historian who records the early history of New York when it was still New Amsterdam, perceiving the traditions of the city in a comic manner. 1956.

September 17 is National Voter Registration Day. We have compiled a list of titles, mostly nonfiction and educational, surrounding the topic of voting. We invite you to read, learn, and register to vote.

I Voted: Making a Choice Makes a Difference, DB107902, by Mark Shulman

An introduction to voting by explaining the concept of choosing individually and as a group highlighting the strategies involved in selecting a classroom pet. The author explains how those same principles apply when we choose and vote for leaders at the local, state, and national level. For grades K-3. 2020.

Lillian's Right to Vote: A Celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, DBC06809, by Jonah Winter

Lillian is an old woman, but she still wants to vote. She is the great-great-granddaughter of slaves, sold in front of the courthouse where Lillian now wants to vote. In those days, only rich white men could vote. The Civil War, the women's suffrage movement, and social protests are all parts of the story bringing about the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a law protecting every citizen's right to vote. For grades K-3. 2021.

One Vote, Two Votes, I Vote, You Vote, DBC25080, by Bonnie Worth

Written in simple rhyme, this Cat in the Hat's Learning Library Book introduces early readers to the concept and practice of voting with a focus on the American Presidency! For grades 2-4. 2016.

Vote for Our Future! BR023178, by Margaret McNamara and Micah Player

The students at Stanton Elementary School, which is a polling place, find out all they can about voting and then encourage everyone in their neighborhoods to cast their ballots. PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades K-3. 2020.

A Vote for Susanna the First Woman Mayor, DBC17319, by Karen M. Greenwald

In 1887 Susanna Salter was ready to vote for the first time ever. The State of Kansas had just given women the right to vote in municipal elections. But some men in Susanna's hometown, Argonia, did not think she, or any other woman should have a say in choosing their next mayor. They put Susanna on the ballot for mayor, as a joke. They were sure she would lose, and then women like her would stay at home, where they belonged. But the joke was on them when Susanna won the race! Told by a grandmother who remembers what happened on that fateful election day, this is a true story of a woman who stood up for her right to vote and accomplished so much more. For grades K-3. 2021.

For Which We Stand: How our government works and why it matters, DB102033, by Jeff Foster

Foster, an AP government teacher, discusses America's founding documents, the three branches of government, how the voting process works, the Electoral College, political parties, and more. Commercial audiobook. For grades 3-6. 2020.

America Votes: How Our President Is Elected, BR015268, by Linda Granfield

Explains the U.S. presidential election process including its history, the role of political parties, becoming a candidate, campaign finance, voting fraud, the electoral college, and casting ballots. Emphasizes the right and the responsibility of citizens to vote. For grades 4-7. 2003.

Are American Elections Fair? BR017757, by Stuart A. Kallen

Ten essays debate the U.S. election process. Includes arguments for and against the electoral college, electronic voting machines, felons' and undocumented immigrants’ voting rights, and campaign finance reform. Discusses the disputed presidential election of 2000 and provides a list of relevant organizations. For junior and senior high readers. 2006.

Our Unfinished March: The Violent Past and Imperiled Future of the Vote -- a History, a Crisis, a Plan, DB109456, by Eric H. Holder and Sam Koppelman

Since the gutting of the Voting Rights act in the landmark Shelby County v. Holder case in 2013, many states have passed laws restricting the vote. America is a fragile democracy whose citizens have only had unfettered access to the ballot since the 1960s. The author takes readers through three dramatic stories of how the vote was won: first by white men, through violence and insurrection; then by white women, through protests and mass imprisonments; and finally, by African Americans, in the face of lynchings and terrorism. Full of surprising history, intensive analysis, and actionable plans, this is a powerful primer on our most urgent political struggle from one of the country's leading advocates. Commercial audiobook. 2022.

On Account of Race: The Supreme Court, White Supremacy, and the Ravaging of African American Voting Rights, DB109026, by Lawrence Goldstone

One promise of democracy is the right of every citizen to vote. And yet, from our founding, strong political forces were determined to limit that right. The Supreme Court, Alexander Hamilton wrote, would protect the weak against this very sort of tyranny. Complex threats against the right to vote persist even today. Beginning in 1876, the Supreme Court systematically dismantled the equal protection guarantees of the Fourteenth Amendment and the right to vote in the Fifteenth. And so, a half million African Americans across the South who had risked their lives and property to be allowed to cast ballots were stricken from voting rolls by white supremacists. This book tells the story of an American tragedy, the only occasion in United States history in which a group of citizens who had been granted the right to vote then had it stripped away. It is a warning that the right to vote is fragile and must be carefully guarded and actively preserved lest American democracy perish. Commercial audiobook. 2020.

A Real Right to Vote: How a Constitutional Amendment Can Safeguard American Democracy, DB119833, by Richard L. Hasen

Throughout history, too many Americans have been disenfranchised or faced needless barriers to vote. Part of the blame falls on the Constitution, which does not contain an affirmative right to vote. The Supreme Court has made matters worse by failing to protect voting rights and limiting Congress's ability to do so. The time has come for voters to act and push for an amendment to the Constitution that would guarantee this right for all. Commercial audiobook. 2024.

Every year from September 15 to October 15, we celebrate the history and culture of Hispanic and Latino communities. We have compiled a selection of fiction and nonfiction books about the culture and many contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. We invite you to celebrate this occasion by immersing yourself in these stories, all available from the NYS Talking Book and Braille Library. 

Arrorro, Mi Nino: Latino Lullabies and Gentle Games, BR017011, by Lulu Delacre

Fifteen traditional Latin American nursery rhymes and songs, some with finger-play activities, are presented in Spanish with English translations. PRINT/BRAILLE. For preschool-grade 2. Belpré Honor Book. 2004.

That girl on TV could be Me!: the Journey of a Latina News Anchor = Yo podría ser esa chica en la Tele!: el Camino de una Noticiera Latina, BR024370, by Leticia Ordaz

Growing up near Sacramento, CA, little Leticia dreams of being a TV newscaster. But no one on TV looks like her. This shy, small-town girl overcomes barriers, like her fear of public speaking, to become the first in her hardworking Mexican family to attend college. Then, starting as an intern, she climbs the ladder, travels to different cities, and reports on a rainbow of stories. PRINT/BRAILLE. For Preschool-grade 2. Spanish Language. 2024.

Nosotros means us: un cuento bilingüe = a bilingual story, BR024376, by Paloma Valdivia

As a mother holds her toddler, they muse over the way their love would translate if they were different animals. But no matter how they change, they will always be "us." This bilingual story is a timeless ode to the unshakable bond between parent and child. PRINT/BRAILLE. For Preschool-grade 2. Spanish Language. 2024.

Book Fiesta! Celebrate Children's Day, Book Day/Celebremos El Dia de los Ninos, El Dia de los Libros, BR019014, by Pat Mora

Children read books in all kinds of places, both indoors and out. Bilingual book in English and Spanish. PRINT/BRAILLE. For preschool-grade 2. 2009.

El Perro con sombrero: a bilingual doggy tale, BR024374, by Derek Taylor Kent

One day, the wind blows a sombrero onto Pepe's head, and people finally start noticing the lonely street dog. He enjoys his newfound fame, but still wishes he had a real family. But now, a jealous cat has a plan to steal Pepe's hat, and all that attention. PRINT/BRAILLE. For Preschool-grade 2. Spanish language. 2023.

Nadarín, DB035844, by Leo Lionni

After all Swimmy's brothers and sisters are swallowed by a tuna and he is left alone in the vast ocean, Swimmy soon discovers an ingenious way to protect himself. For grades K-3. Spanish language. 2017.

Jorge el curioso: (Curious George), DB052885, by H. A. Rey

Curious George is a mischievous monkey. When he goes to the city with the man in the yellow straw hat, Curious George has many adventures. For grades K-3. Spanish language. 1990.

Featherless/Desplumado: Story/Cuento (English/Spanish Bilingual Book), BR016017, by Juan Felipe Herrera

Spina bifida keeps Tomasito in a wheelchair, where he often feels like his featherless pet bird, Desplumado, who cannot fly. But with the bird's help, he finds freedom on the soccer field. Bilingual English/Spanish book. PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades K-3. 2004.

Cangura para todo, DB016174, by Gloria Fuertes

Imagine the surprise of a man and his wife when a kangaroo appears at their door looking for work. Included are the stories of Picassin, the abstract cat, the lame camel, the magic cat, the elephant who had no trunk, and the ostrich who laid an aluminum tractor egg. Spanish language. For grades K-3. 2016.

¡Solo pregunta!: Sé Diferente, Sé Valiente, Sé Tú, DB104863, by Sonia Sotomayor

Sonia and her friends plant a garden, and each one explains how they contribute in his or her own unique way. Commercial audiobook. For grades K-3. Spanish language. 2020.

A crazy mixed-up Spanglish day, DB057402, by Marisa Montes

In California, third-grader Maritza Gabriela Morales Mercado usually speaks Spanish at home and English at school, but she mixes them up when she is upset. Class bully Johnny Wiley teases her about that and about her name, calling her Maritza Pizza. Furious, Gabí comes up with a plan. For grades 3-6. 2003.

Gaby's Latin American kitchen, DB109985, by Gaby Melian

Have you ever tried empanadas? Made cheesy arepas for your family? Or shared homemade, sprinkle-covered chocolate brigadeiros with your friends? Travel the world of Latin America with 70 recipes developed and written by Gaby Melian--all kid-tested and kid-approved by America's Test Kitchen Kids' panel of over 15,000 at-home kid recipe testers. A Spanish glossary, fun personal stories, and a peek into Gaby's own kitchen make this book a delicious win for all young chefs and their families! For grades 4-7. 2023.

A Handful of Stars, BR020968 and DB082133, Cynthia Lord

When her blind dog, Lucky, slips his collar, twelve-year-old Lily meets Salma Santiago, a young Hispanic girl whose migrant family is in Maine for the blueberry-picking season. The two forge a friendship but are confronted with some of the hard truths of prejudice and migrant life. For grades 4-7. 2015.

Sammy Sosa, DB049004, and BR012432, by Carrie Muskat

Biography of the record-breaking baseball player from the Dominican Republic. Sammy Sosa was raised in poverty, but his athletic ability led him to his first professional sports contract at age sixteen. Sosa also became well known for his generosity in helping his family and homeland. For grades 5-8. 2000.

Latino Voices, DB046930, by Frances R. Aparicio

Hispanic Americans express their feelings about home, family, religion, work, and their identity in poems, short biographical pieces, and selections from novels. For junior and senior high readers. 2015.

We are not from here, DB099474, by Jenny Tores Sanchez

When the threats that lurk around every corner suddenly become all too real, three teens--Pulga, Chico, and Pequeña--cross from Guatemala through Mexico in search of a better life. Violence and strong language. Commercial audiobook. For senior high and older readers. 2020.

Early Latino Ballplayers in the United States: Major, Minor, and Negro Leagues, 1901-1949, BR017463, by Nick Wilson

Author uses archival materials and interviews to highlight the influence of foreign-born Hispanic players on American baseball teams before the major leagues were integrated by Jackie Robinson. Presents profiles of athletes such as José Méndez, Cristóbal Torriente, and Roberto Ortiz. For senior high and older readers. 2005.

Our America: A Hispanic History of the United States, DB078528, by Felipe Fernández-Armesto

History professor examines the Hispanic past of the United States, from Spain's colonization of Puerto Rico in 1505 to the twenty-first-century debate over immigration reform. Encourages the embrace of Hispanic culture and posits that doing so would be to the nation's advantage and enrichment. 2014.

American dirt, DB098146, by Jeanine Cummins

Lydia Quixano Pérez runs a bookstore in Acapulco. When her journalist husband writes an exposé about Javier, the head of the newest drug cartel in the city, her life changes forever. Lydia and her eight-year-old son flee for their lives, hoping to make it to the United States. Commercial audiobook. 2020.

Big chicas don’t cry, DB120811, by Annette Chavez Macias

Four cousins, who were exceptionally close as children, have grown apart and are struggling with their own issues. When tragedy reunites them, will they remember their Abuelita's lessons about family and forgiveness--or is a fifteen-year separation too much to overcome? 2024.

Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America, DBC10435, by Gustavo Arellano

The nationally syndicated columnist and bestselling author of ¡Ask a Mexican! presents a fascinating and tasty trip through the history and culture of Mexican food in this country, uncovering great stories and charting the cuisine's tremendous popularity in El Norte. 2012.

Inés of my soul, DB063696, by Isabel Allende

1580. Doña Inés Suárez chronicles for her daughter the life that made her one of Chile's heroes. She recounts her early years and marriage in Spain, arrival in Peru, and long affair with conquistador Pedro Valdivia, with whom she conquered Chile and founded Santiago. Some descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 2006.

Brownsville, BR015288 and DBC15014, by Oscar Casares

Nine short stories about poverty, resourcefulness, and the cultural chasm existing in the U.S.-Mexican border town of Brownsville, Texas. Characters confront an array of situations, contradictions, and solutions, from youth learning lessons about money and neighborhood disputes over barking dogs to finding meaning in a depressed world. 2003.

I Can Hear the Cowbells Ring, BR010636, by Lionel G. Garcia

Garcia, whose novels have earned him awards from Southwest and Texas organizations, recalls his childhood in a South Texas Mexican American community during the 1950s. With warmth and humor, he retells family stories he heard from his grandparents and their children. It reveals a town with very human, and often quirky, characters. 1997.

Loosing My Espanish, BR015901, by H.G. Carrillo

Black Cuban American Óscar Delossantos loses his longtime teaching job at a Jesuit school in Chicago. His last lecture to bored students consists of a rambling reminiscence about his family's flight to America, his struggles, and his mother's dementia. Some strong language. 2004.

Par de Reyes, DB022533, by Ricardo Garibay

Two brothers learn to be gunfighters to take revenge on the man who murdered their father. Strong language. Spanish language. 2017.

Hombres de maíz, DB024766, by Miguel Angel Asturias

A rich, colorful allegory by a Nobel Prize-winning author centers on the conflict between Indians and aggressive reformers in Guatemala. Some strong language. Spanish language. 2015.

La importancia de llamarse Daniel Santos fabulación, DB031907, by Luis Rafael Sánchez

The Puerto Rican author presents a fictional account of the life, career, and world of Daniel Santos, the famous Puerto Rican dancer. Santos serves as raw material for the author's creation of a vision of what it is to be Latin American. Strong language. Spanish language. 2017.

Viejo Que le ía novelas de amor, DB046990, by Luis Sepúlveda

In the remote Amazon jungle of Ecuador, Antonio Jose Bolivar Proana, now an old man with few teeth, reads romance novels. He seeks refuge between the pages of his paperbacks while cursing the gringos, politicians, and gold prospectors who have destroyed the colorful jungle of his homeland and corrupted his way of life. Strong language. Spanish language. 2017.

Nueva Narrativa Chicana, DB022516, by Oscar Urquídez Somoza

Ten short stories provide an insight into the Chicano experience, reflecting the history of the Chicano, the plight of the undocumented worker, and the more intellectual and abstract sufferings of being Chicano. Some strong language. Spanish language. 2017.

Learn more about how to use the Zoomax eReader, the latest device for braille readers offered by TBBL, the Talking Book and Braille Library, in conjunction with the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS).

The topic for the next That All May eRead online program on Tuesday, August 27, will be using your NLS Braille eReader to read BARD Mobile books. This is the first of a two-part program for August and September. The second program will be on using your eReader to read commercial braille books on your mobile phone.

The program will begin at 7 PM eastern time with a brief demonstration. The rest of the hour will be spent answering patron questions about any aspect of the Zoomax or HumanWare Braille eReaders. The meeting is also recorded for later viewing.

For more information about the program please visit: Patron Services and Events - National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS)

Book Lovers Day is August 9. To celebrate, we offer you a list of the top five most downloaded braille and audio books on BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) from June 2024. We hope you can select one or several to read this summer. 

Digital Braille Titles:

The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking through science, BR 24288, by J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

In The Food Lab, Kenji focuses on the science behind beloved American dishes, delving into the interactions between heat, energy, and molecules that create great food. Kenji shows that often, conventional methods don't work that well, and home cooks can achieve far better results using new but simple techniques. In hundreds of easy-to-make recipes with over 1,000 full-color images, you will find out how to make foolproof Hollandaise sauce in just two minutes, how to transform one simple tomato sauce into a half dozen dishes, how to make the crispiest, creamiest potato casserole ever conceived, and much more. Some strong language. 2024.

Adventures of Marshmallow and Peter, BR25025, by Peter James Heath

Meet Peter Heath, a seven-year-old, who loves soccer, LEGOs, karate, and the outdoors. He's a typical second grader, except for one thing: Peter is completely blind. After being diagnosed with Batten disease, a rare genetic disorder, Peter lost his vision in the spring of 2022. But this did not stop him from writing his own book, "The Adventures of Marshmallow and Peter," a short children's book written from the point of view of his cane, Marshmallow. PRINT/BRAILLE. For Preschool-grade 2. 2021.

The Book of Imaginary Beings, BR 16549, by Luis Jorge Borges, Margarita Guerrero, and Andrew Hurley

A compendium of descriptions for 116 fantastical creatures that cites their origins from world mythology and literature. Describes the familiar elves, gnomes, and unicorns and the lesser-known Lamia, T'ao-T'ieh, and Ouroboros. A 2005 translation of Borges's Spanish version. 1967.

Daily Reflections, BR08872, by Helen Steiner Rice

Bible scriptures are combined with inspirational poetry and brief prayers in this collection of meditations. Chapter themes include, "Prayer," "Faith," "Peace," and "New Beginnings." Each section contains a brief prayer by Virginia J. Ruehlmann. 1990.

The Christmas Train, BR14463, by David Baldacci

Journalist Tom Langdon takes a cross-country train from the East Coast to Los Angeles to spend Christmas with his girlfriend. On the trip, he meets many zany characters, including one who is his former lover. Sparks fly until Tom's girlfriend shows up in Chicago. Bestseller. 2002.

Audio Book Titles:

A calamity of souls, DB 120798, by David Baldacci

Set in the tumultuous year of 1968 in southern Virginia, a racially charged murder case sets a duo of white and Black lawyers against a deeply unfair system as they work to defend their wrongfully accused Black defendants in this courtroom drama from #1 New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci. Over a decade in the writing, A Calamity of Souls breathes richly imagined and detailed life into a bygone era, taking the reader through a world that will seem both foreign and familiar. Commercial audiobook. 2024.

Murder Inn: From the Author of the Summer House, DB120802, by James Patterson 

The doors of the Inn at Gloucester are always open to anyone running from trouble or hiding from life. Its owner, former Boston police detective Bill Robinson, welcomes them with no questions asked. Until two strangers arrive for a temporary stay and a longtime resident starts looking over his shoulders. There is another newcomer in town who puts the Inn under surveillance. When the surveillance turns into a series of attacks. Robinson launches an all-out fight to defend his town, his chosen family, and his home. Commercial audiobook. 2024.

The #1 Lawyer, DB120049, by James Patterson

Stafford Lee Penney is a small-town lawyer with a big-time reputation for winning every case he tries. In his sharp suits and polished Oxford shoes, Penney is Biloxi, Mississippi's #1 Lawyer, and top local celebrity. Just as Penney notches his latest courtroom victory, his wife is scandalously killed. He spirals into a legal and personal losing streak, damaging his reputation and ruining his career. That's when Penney makes a bold decision. He stops trading on his power-lawyer identity and creates a new one: lawyer lifeguard. Moonlighting at the beach, showing up to court in flip-flops, mentoring a law student, the new Penney is at first unrecognizable. It is said that a lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client. But when Penney is accused of murder, the #1 Lawyer will find a way to triumph. Commercial audiobook. 2024.

The Locked Door, DB119313, by Freida McFadden

Some doors are locked for a reason . . . While eleven-year-old Nora Davis was up in her bedroom doing homework, she had no idea her father was killing women in the basement. Until the day the police arrived at their front door. Decades later, Nora's father is spending his life behind bars, and Nora is a successful surgeon with a quiet, solitary existence. Nobody knows her father was a notorious serial killer. And she intends to keep it that way. Then Nora discovers one of her young female patients has been murdered. In the same unique and horrific manner that her father used to kill his victims. Somebody knows who Nora is. Somebody wants her to take the fall for this unthinkable crime. But she is not a killer like her father. The police cannot pin anything on her. As long as they don't look in her basement. Commercial audiobook. 2024.

Toxic Prey, DB120267, by John Sandford

When a renowned expert in infectious diseases disappears without a trace, Letty Davenport, with the world on high alert, calls in her father, Lucas, to locate him, and when their worst fears are confirmed, they must race against time to stop the virus he created from becoming the perfect weapon. Commercial audiobook. 2024.

The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) has announced the details of their August 2024 the Many Faces of BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) program.

The topic for Thursday, August 8, 2024, Many Faces of BARD program will be An Open Forum: Part 2. In July, we had an open forum in which all our download tech support provided answers to your questions. At the end of the program, we had 12 to 15 hands still raised, and they did not get their questions answered. Our download team graciously agreed to join us for a second round. The program will begin at 7 PM eastern time and last for one hour. NLS will record this program for later viewing.

For full event information, please visit the NLS website.

If you have any questions about this event, please call the Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL) at (800) 342-3688.

Learn more about how to use the Zoomax eReader, the latest device for braille readers offered by TBBL, the Talking Book and Braille Library, in conjunction with the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS). 

On Tuesday, July 30, at 7 PM eastern time, the Patron Engagement Section of NLS will launch a new monthly program called That All May eRead on Zoom. This program, occurring the last Tuesday night of each month, will focus on using the NLS Braille eReaders. Each session will begin with a brief demonstration of a feature or use case. The rest of the hour will be spent answering patron questions about any aspect of the Zoomax or HumanWare Braille eReaders. The meeting is also recorded for later viewing. 

For more information about the program please visit: Patron Services and Events - National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS)

Don't miss your chance: Join the Talking Book and Braille Library for an exciting library adventure this summer!

The second annual NLS Summer Reading Program is well underway. Register and attend a scheduled event and see how many of our fun online activities you can complete.

Scheduled Events:

All events are accessible online and open to the public. Sign up for all events.

Thursday, July 18, 4:00 p.m. eastern time, Story Time and Music by Turtle Dance Music (K–3rd grade)

Invite your young family members, neighbors and friends to join the Turtle Dance Music man, Matt Mazur, in music and story time.

Thursday, July 25, 7:00 p.m. eastern time, Author Talk: Angeline Boulley with Andrea L. Rogers (YA and Adult)

Are you looking for a book full of suspense, mystery, and maybe even a dash of romance, with a strong, quick-witted female protagonist? Dive into one of Angeline Boulley's books and register to meet the author!

Submit your questions for Angeline Boulley to nlspes@loc.gov before Friday, July 19. Boulley is the author of Firekeeper’s Daughter (BR24040, DB102762) and Warrior Girl Unearthed (BR25116 in process, DB114761). 

More Online Activities:

Think you have the smarts to escape from the Whispering Library? Bring along your family members or friends and see if they can save the day! (For families or all-ages groups).

Find your next favorite book with the Choose Your Reading Adventure game. Readers can receive additional book recommendations by filling out the survey at the end of the game. Our Summer Reading committee members are eager to create a personalized reading list for you based on your preferences. Give it a try!

Play the game and request a list for school-age children and young adults.

Play the game and request a list for adults.

Can’t visit Washington, D.C, in person? Take the audio-described tour of the Thomas Jefferson Building at the Library of Congress (YA and Adult), available on BARD as DB121189. You may also listen to it on the Summer Reading Program webpage, embedded in a media player right at the top of the Online Activities section.