Maryland State Library Agency

July 2021 July is National Ice Cream Month! Cool down with a title about the tasty treat, or learn to make it at home! Children’s Ice Cream , by Elisha Cooper DB 54632 Explains step-by-step how milk is taken from cows and processed in a factory, where lots of things happen to it to produce a carton of flavored ice cream. For grades K-3. My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich , by Ibi Aanu Zoboi In the s...

Director's Corner: NLS Starting New Patron Corner Program NLS is starting a new Patron Corner program.  The first one is on June 13 at 7 PM on Zoom.  Here's an excerpt with the relevant info from the Library of Congress Daily Digest Bulletin:   The program will be interactive, last for one hour, and have a designated topic of discussion. The topic for the June 13 session is Eve...

On Saturday, July 9th, the Technology User Group (TUG) is pleased to do a presentation on accessible books.  You have probably heard of BARD, Overdrive, Kindle and Audible, but there are other sources for books in audio, daisy and HTML formats.  We will take a look at some of the other sources for books, how to access them, and weigh the pros and cons of each service. The presentation wi...

On Saturday, June 11th, we will highlight gadgets and apps dealing with safer navigation. In particular, the focus will be on affordable devices for safer navigation in your community and unfamiliar territory. The presentation will be virtual and may be joined by calling 319-527-4994. You do not have to RSVP for this event. The presentation will begin at 10 AM and last about 60 minutes. We look fo...

Join Alexander Lothstein as he recounts Maryland's interesting and engaging history. From its founding to the modern-day, the history presented in this podcast is a can't-miss in our podcast lineup. The Maryland Center for History and Culture collects, preserves, and interprets Maryland's history, art, and culture. By exploring multiple perspectives and sharing national stories through the lens of...

In this podcast, Ericka Tinsley will share her inside knowledge and useful tips on how youth can harness social media platforms to make online money. With some adult support, an electronic device, and access to the internet the ideas are endless. Ericka Tinsley currently works for Prince Georges County Schools as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired and Orientation and Mobility Specia...

Dementia is not a normal part of aging. It is a medical condition that changes your ability to think for yourself and make decisions. Dementia can cause problems with memory and emotions and includes conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. There is no cure for dementia. However, medications can help treat symptoms and reduce risks. In this course, learn the basics of Dementia and some treatment op...

On Saturday, May 14th, premium services for Google and Alexa will be shared.  Yes, we know about the free services, such as games, news, weather and other information, but did you know that there are also paid services available for your Google Home and Echo products?  In addition, we will look at the future of smart devices and speculate as to the changes that may be coming in the near...

The Peabody String Sinfonia is a student-led, conductor-less string orchestra whose mission is to bring healing and beauty to people in our Baltimore community who are in challenging situations or in places where they cannot easily gain access to live music, including cancer treatment, incarceration, and homelessness, hospitalization, addiction, and hunger. Our members are students and alumni of t...

Collection Highlights: April 2022 Contributed by Jordan Farinelli, Collection Development Librarian April 2022 NLS continues to add many foreign-language editions of popular titles through the Marrakesh Treaty. The complete Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn was recently added, and translated into Spanish. Check out the books before catching season 2 on Netflix! Libros 1-3 de la serie Bridgertons (B...

Technology User Group Meeting: Google & Alexa Mary 14 Contributed by Jerry Price, Assistive Technology Training Coordinator On Saturday, May 14th, premium services for Google and Alexa will be shared.  Yes, we know about the free services, such as games, news, weather, and other information, but did you know that there are also paid services available for your Google Home and Echo product...

Collection Highlights: Marylandia Update Contributed by Jordan Farinelli, Collection Development Librarian March 2022 For Women’s History Month, we are highlighting the stories of women from Maryland’s Eastern Shore that made careers from commercial fishing. This line of work is not for the faint of heart, and these women gave it their all in a male-dominated industry. Adventure DBC 12271  –...

Director's Corner: Postal Delays and Postal Visits Contributed by John Owen, Director To all of our patrons, families and stakeholders, The staff of the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD) thank you for using our service and we thank you for letting us know how it impacts your lives each day, both what is working well and the challenges you face.  We are g...

Collection Highlights: March 2022 Contributed by Jordan Farinelli, Collection Development Librarian March 2022 For Women’s History Month, we are highlighting five stories of American women throughout history, from the Civil War to the 21st Century. The Doctors Blackwell: How Two Pioneering Sisters Brought Medicine to Women and Women to Medicine , by Janice P. Nimura DB 104506 Biography of Doctor E...

  Collection Highlights: Marylandia Update Contributed by Jordan Farinelli , Collection Development Librarian   February 2022 February 2022 In honor of Black History Month, check out this title that covers the story of the first Black major league baseball player. Biography

Technology User Group Meeting: Victor Reader Trek March 12 Contributed by Jerry Price, Assistive Technology Training Coordinator  On Saturday, March 12th, the Victor Reader Trek will be profiled.  We will demonstrate the many features that the Trek possesses over its predecessor, the Victor Reader Stream 2nd Generation.  Is the significant increase in cost worth the reward?  Do...

My Technology News: Winter 2022 Contributed by Jerry Price, Assistive Technology Training Coordinator  Winter 2022 A Service of the Technology User Group at the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled Feel free to share this newsletter Finding Audio Described Content Many individuals who are low vision or blind find audio described programming to be useful and informative.&nbs...

Braille Book Review and Newsline! Contributed by Jerry Price, Assistive Technology Librarian You may have noticed that over the past few months, NLS has had some issues getting Braille Book Review into the hands of eager braille readers. There is an easy solution to solving the problem for those of you who are using an NLS braille E-reader. Just do the following: Turn on your e-reader and choose o...

Guest Post: National Library Service Contributed by NLS Representative Due to significant and worsening supply-chain issues and worldwide paper shortages,  the   large-print edition of  Talking Book Topics  (TBT) January–February 2022 will not be printed.  The US Government Publishing Office (GPO) has informed NLS that these problems are expected to continue through t...

  Guest Post: Washington Seminar Career Fair Contributed by NFB Representative Washington Seminar Career Fair The National Federation of the Blind will hold the 2022 Washington Seminar Career Fair virtually on Monday, February 7, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. eastern. Connect with diverse and dynamic employers and job seekers from across the United States. This event is organized by...

Technology User Group Meeting: February 12 Contributed by Jerry Price, Assistive Technology Training Coordinator On Saturday, February 12th, the Technology User Group will demonstrate tips and tricks for using your NLS braille e-reader.  Learn how to connect to online services, Bluetooth usage, texting and more. The presentation will be virtual and may be joined by calling 319-527-4994. ...

Collection Highlights: Marylandia Update Contributed by Jordan Farinelli, Collection Development Librarian January 2022 Check out this love story that also has a few spooky chills. Paranormal Romance DBC 12459  – The Haunting of Hotel LaBel bySharon Buchbinder, narrated by Roberta Jackson When hotel inspector, Tallulah Thompson, is called in along with her pug, Franny, to investigate renovati...

Collection Highlights: Marylandia Update Contributed by Jordan Farinelli, Collection Development Librarian January 2022 Check out this love story that also has a few spooky chills. Paranormal Romance DBC 12459  – The Haunting of Hotel LaBel bySharon Buchbinder, narrated by Roberta Jackson When hotel inspector, Tallulah Thompson, is called in along with her pug, Franny, to investigate renovati...

ABLE Accounts: A Financial Planning Tool for People with Disabilities and their Families January 20, 6:30 PM Call-in: ​ (319) 527-4994 ​Join the online meeting:  https://join.freeconferencecall.com/mdlbpd​​ Join us to learn about the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act and how a  Maryland ABLE​  account can help people who are blind, those with low vision, and other q...

Guest Post: Newsline Training Opportunity Contributed by Scott White, NFB Representative Training Event: NFB-NEWSLINE on the Victor Reader Stream Event Details January 12, 2022 8:00 p.m. eastern time (7:00 p.m. central time, 6:00 p.m. mountain time, 5:00 p.m. pacific time) Please join us on Zoom, the information you will need to attend is at the end of this message. Do you miss reading your favori...