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We invite you to reminisce about beloved homemade meals and treats. Do you have a cherished recipe you’d like to share? We’re excited to announce a nationwide project where TBBC patrons and NLS staff members can contribute their favorite recipes!

Think back to the comforting taste of your mom’s kitchen, the delightful casseroles you enjoyed after school, or those unforgettable Christmas cookies from your grandma. We want to gather these recipes for “The Community Table,” a unique collection that will be produced in audio, braille, and (eventually) large print.

Join librarians from South Carolina and Florida as they create a heartfelt anthology filled with love, memories, and culinary delights from across the country.

To contribute, please email your recipe along with a brief paragraph explaining why it’s special, to tbbc@njstatelib.org.

Thank you for helping us create something truly wonderful to share!

The post TBBC Patrons: Submit a Recipe to ‘The Community Table’ Collection appeared first on New Jersey State Library.

The New Jersey State Library is happy to announce the six libraries selected to participate in the Digital Navigation Corps, an initiative led by Literacy Minnesota to bring full-time AmeriCorps members organizations in high-need communities.

The selected libraries are:

• Atlantic City Free Library
• Edison Public Library
• Linden Public Library
• New Brunswick Free Public Library
• Pennsauken Free Public Library
• Union City Public Library

The Digital Navigation Corps is an AmeriCorps State and National program that will place 28 AmeriCorps members in locations in Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Texas to provide digital literacy and job readiness training. This locally responsive, scalable solution to the digital equity crisis will place individual AmeriCorps members as Digital Navigators in libraries, nonprofits, and public agencies to help connect digitally disenfranchised people with nearby digital inclusion activities that address their unique needs. The New Jersey State Library is a State-Level Partner in this initiative.

Through a competitive application and review process six New Jersey public libraries have been selected to serve as host sites. These libraries will provide the vision, project plan, day-to-day management of the project, and on-site supervision of their AmeriCorps members.

The Digital Navigation Corps is expected to launch with services to the public in January 2025. For questions or more information, please contact Andrea Levandowski, Adult Services Specialist: alevandowski@njstatelib.org.

The post Libraries Chosen to Participate in Digital Navigation Corps appeared first on New Jersey State Library.

The New Jersey Division of Aging Services (DoAS), an organization within the New Jersey Department of Human Services, strives to make it easier for older adults to live in their community as long as possible with independence, dignity, and choice.

The Division administers a number of federal- and state-funded programs that provide assistance for everyday needs. Access to some of these programs is available with NJSave, an application that can help older adults and individuals with disabilities save money on Medicare premiums, prescriptions, utilities, and other living expenses. Click here to learn more about NJSave.

New Jersey residents ages 60 and older can also remain socially engaged, learn new skills, and become more proficient with technology with free access to GetSetUp, an online platform that hosts live classes taught by older adults for older adults. GetSetUp is available 24/7 and offers hundreds of classes across a wide range of topics, including art, health, technology, and travel. Click here to register through the State’s partnership with GetSetUp.

If your library is interested in learning more about these and additional DoAS programs and services, as well as how the Division can help you promote them to your patrons, please email DoAS.Outreach@dhs.nj.gov.

The post NJ Division of Aging Services Programs appeared first on New Jersey State Library.

The New Jers​​​ey High School Consumer Bowl is an educational competition for high school students across the state. It was established in 1997 to educate young adults on a variety of consumer issues and is approved under the New Jersey Department of Education Professional Development Guidelines, thus enabling teachers who coach the students to obtain professional development credits.

Schools participate free of charge and study materials and additional study links are provided through our website. All participating students receive Certificates of Achievement. Winners at the county and regional level receive trophies. First, second and third-place winners at the state level, the final level of competition, receive individual medals.

If you are interested in participating in the New Jersey High School Consumer Bowl, please contact Dulcelina Pena at PenaD@dca.njoag.gov or P.O. Box 45027 Newark, New Jersey 07101.

The post New Jersey High School Consumer Bowl appeared first on New Jersey State Library.

Keynote: Adapting Facilities for Climate Resilience

Join Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MLS, LEED AP, Executive Director of the Mid-Hudson Library System, Co-Founder/Board President of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative, and principal author of the National Climate Action Strategy for Libraries for an introduction to the idea of sustainability as a core value and practical tips for ensuring cultural institutions have facilities are more resilience in the face of the predicted impacts of severe weather brought on by climate change. Rebekkah Smith Aldrich currently serves as the co-chair of the American Library Association’s (ALA) Special Task Force on Sustainability, as an advisory board member for the ALA Center for the Future of Libraries, and is a founding board member of the ALA Sustainability Round Table and the co-founder of the New York Library Association’s Sustainability Initiative.

Speaker: Dyani Feige, Director of Preservation Services, Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts

The Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts (CCAHA), in partnership with Christopher Cameron of Sustainable Heritage, is introducing a Collections Climate Resiliency Cohort. With generous funding from the National Endowment of the Humanities, this initiative is aimed at small-to-midsized collecting institutions located in coastal regions of New Jersey and Delaware. The vast majority of land in both New Jersey and Delaware lies within what geologists call the Atlantic Coastal Plain, which has a heightened vulnerability to storm inundation and sea-level rise. Collecting institutions need to undergo a paradigm shift in their thinking, a monumental task, to begin to approach planning in a way that both increases sustainability efforts to mitigate their own contributions to climate change while also preparing and adapting for projected outcomes in an ever-riskier world.

Speaker: Mollie Quinlan-Hayes, Fund Development and Program Officer, NCAPER

Arts and cultural organizations are vulnerable not just to natural disasters, but to crises due to accidents, deferred maintenance, negligence, public health emergencies, and human-caused events such as community unrest, cyberattacks, and violence. As a steward of your institution’s collections and creative assets, you want to protect them, maintain your business operations, and continue to serve your community in the wake of an emergency. dPlan/ArtsReady is an online emergency preparedness and response tool for arts and cultural organizations – of any size, scope, or discipline. NJCAR members can get a free one-year subscription (a $100 value)! This session will walk through how the tool works and how to jumpstart your plan. It builds on the elements you already have in place and lets you work at your own pace to create your customized preparedness plan!

The post Register Now for the New Jersey Cultural Alliance for Response Virtual Summit appeared first on New Jersey State Library.

This is a basic guide to media training that covers key concepts and skills to help library staff effectively communicate with the media. The goal of this resource is to help library staff feel prepared and confident to take a call from a journalist at any given time! This is a great resource to keep handy for reference in the future when interview opportunities arise.

The post Introducing a Media Relations Guide for Libraries appeared first on New Jersey State Library.

The New Jersey State Library (NJSL) is issuing a Request for Quotations (RFQ) to be received by the New Jersey State Library; 185 West State Street, PO Box 520, Trenton NJ 08608-0520 no later than 11:59 p.m. December 2, 2024. The New Jersey State Library (NJSL or State Library) is seeking professional meeting planner services for an upcoming event, Reimagining Information Literacy, scheduled for Summer 2026 (date tbd) in New Jersey, (specific location tbd). We invite qualified meeting planning firms or individuals to submit a quotation for the scope of work described in this RFQ.

NJSL expects to enter into a contract for the period February 3, 2025 – September 30, 2026 for meeting planning services. Quotations submitted in response to this RFQ may be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder(s), price and other factors are considered.

The post Request for Quotations for Meeting Planner appeared first on New Jersey State Library.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services participates in the Heritage Emergency National Task Force, a partnership of 62 national service organizations and federal agencies created to protect cultural heritage from the damaging effects of natural disasters and other emergencies.

Cultural Institutions or Arts Organizations that have been impacted by the recent storm can fill out one of the following Rapid Damage Assessment Forms:

1. Cultural Institutions
2. Arts Organizations
3. Individual Artists and Performing Groups

Cultural institutions, arts organizations, and artists and performing groups can call the National Heritage Responders hotline: (202) 661-8068. The National Heritage Responders, a team of trained conservators and collections care professionals administered by the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation, are available 24/7 to provide advice and guidance.

Members of the public and individual artists who have questions about saving family heirlooms and personal collections can email the National Heritage Responders at NHRpublichelpline@culturalheritage.org.

HENTF’s Save Your Family Treasures guidance is available at https://www.fema.gov/disaster/recover/save-family-treasures#fact-sheets. Here you can find the downloadable FEMA fact sheets “After the Flood: Advice for Salvaging Damaged Family Treasures” and “Salvaging Water-Damaged Family Valuables and Heirlooms,” available in multiple languages.

The post Recovery Resources for Libraries Impacted by Natural Disasters appeared first on New Jersey State Library.

NJSL Presents has organized events this month that celebrate our history and the ways we can utilize statewide resources to learn more about our ancestors. Feel free to virtually attend the following webinars and explore new techniques in researching genealogy. All webinars are recorded, so if you miss an event the recaps are posted to our website and recordings are available on our YouTube channel. If you’d like more information about a specific question or project that you’re working on, click here for our Genealogy collection or contact our Genealogy Librarian, Regina Fitzpatrick.

When conducting genealogy research in the great state of New Jersey, there is no better place than the NJ State Archives.  Whether you are looking for vital records, wills, state census, court records or military records, the NJ State Archives has you covered.  Please join us for National Family History Month as Jon Bozard from the NJ State Archives talks about their collections and what is available for in-person and mail reference, including new records that are coming in 2025.

There has been so much talk of Artificial Intelligence recently and how it will affect all aspects of our lives. Have you wondered how Artificial Intelligence might be able to help your family history research? In this lecture, Senior Genealogist Melanie McComb will discuss exciting possibilities for using AI to support your research—including assistance with report writing, digitally restoring family photos, and more.

Documenting women in genealogy efforts can be more difficult than finding men, especially during the colonial and antebellum periods of our history. Women were much less likely to own property and therefore could not participate or take part in a variety services that generate useful genealogical records, including censuses, wills, and deeds. Please join us as Regina Fitzpatrick, Genealogy Librarian here at the NJ State Library, uncovers strategies for locating New Jersey women in records collections from the colonial era to the 20th Century.

The post Celebrate National Family History Month with the New Jersey State Library! appeared first on New Jersey State Library.

We’re thrilled to announce that the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) is looking for 5,000 users nationwide to help us test the innovative My Talking Books skill on Amazon Alexa smart speakers!

• Launch Date: The My Talking Books skill will be available for NLS patrons starting Wednesday, September 25th
• Registration: To participate, you must register. Sign up now at www.surveymonkey.com/r/mtb-open-beta.
• For minor patrons, a parent or legal guardian must complete the parental acknowledgement form here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/mtb-parental-acknowledgment

This is your chance to experience the My Talking Books skill before it officially launches. Your feedback will be crucial in helping us identify and fix any issues. Participants will need to report any problems they encounter.

• Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis until we reach the 5,000-user limit.
• If the limit is reached before you register, you will be placed on a waitlist for future access.

• Once registered, you will receive an email notification when your access is ready. You must activate the service within 48 hours of receiving this email; otherwise, the license will be reassigned.

• Ensure you have an Amazon account, an Alexa enabled smart speaker, and an active BARD login.
• For help or questions, contact the Talking Book and Braille Center (TBBC) at (800) 792-8322 Ext 0 or email us at TBBC@njstatelib.org.

Important Note: You must have an active BARD account to use My Talking Books. If your account is inactive, please contact TBBC to reactivate it before accessing the service.

Don’t miss out on this chance to be among the first to explore a revolutionary way to enjoy your audiobooks! We look forward to your participation and feedback.

The post Audio Books on Amazon Alexa Smart Speaker appeared first on New Jersey State Library.

TRENTON, NJ – September 23, 2024 – The New Jersey State Library, an affiliate of Thomas Edison State University, has announced a partnership with the New Jersey Department of Education, the New Jersey Association of School Librarians, and LibraryLinkNJ, to help New Jersey’s K-12 public schools and libraries prepare for the state’s forthcoming information literacy standards. In January 2023, New Jersey became the first state in the nation to require that information literacy be taught in public schools. In anticipation of the new information literacy standards, the State Library and partnering agencies have already begun working to develop replicable models and tools for information literacy education and support resources for the public school and library workforce.

“With the constant spread of misinformation, it is more important now than ever for our children to build a strong foundation of information literacy skills,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “It is our responsibility to give our students the tools they need to become critical thinkers and separate fact from fiction. With New Jersey leading the way in information literacy, I am confident that our children will become informed, thoughtful, and engaged citizens.”

The State Library’s “Reimagining Information Literacy” initiative has an overarching goal of helping certified school library media specialists, public librarians, academic librarians, and teachers across the state, who will support students in learning about information literacy. State law (N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-4.4) defines information literacy as a set of skills that enables an individual to recognize when information is needed and to locate, evaluate, and effectively use the needed information. Information literacy includes, but is not limited to, digital, visual, media, textual, and technological literacy.

“Information literacy is more important now than ever before,” said Acting Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer. “Our students are constantly bombarded with information from digital, media, and technological sources, so equipping them with the skills to discern and evaluate that information is critical to their success both in and out of the classroom. New Jersey is proud to be at the forefront of this effort, as the first state to mandate information literacy instruction in our public schools. The Department of Education is fully committed to supporting our educators and students in this vital initiative, working hand-in-hand with partners like the New Jersey State Library to provide the necessary resources, training, and instructional supports.”

The State Library and its partners will develop online training modules, professional development resources, classroom curriculum, and other support for New Jersey’s public schools and libraries.

“Information literacy is a cornerstone of libraries,” said Jen Nelson, State Librarian, New Jersey State Library. “Now, well into the information age and with the more recent advent of artificial intelligence tools and applications, students of all ages need to effectively evaluate and use information for all aspects of life. New Jersey libraries are committed to working alongside public schools to do this important work.”

This project is made possible in part with $748,588 in funds, provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the New Jersey State Library, award number IMLS-NLG- RE -255048. Questions about “Reimagining Information Literacy” can be directed to Sharon Rawlins of the New Jersey State Library at srawlins@njstatelib.org.

The post NJ State Library Awarded Grant to Help Prepare NJ Schools & Libraries for Upcoming Information Literacy Learning Standards appeared first on New Jersey State Library.

Has the lasting impact of the pandemic had you reevaluating traditional services and programs? Does “equity” feel too big to tackle by yourself? Consider being a part of Building Equity-Based Summers (BEBS). BEBS is an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant-funded national initiative focused on assisting public library staff in gaining the skills necessary to work with systematically marginalized communities.

The NJ State Library is seeking public libraries to participate in the third year of this three-year initiative. Each participating library should be represented by a team of least two or more staff members. Team members should have roles in summer services work and may be frontline staff, staff from other departments, supervisors, directors, or community partners outside the library. Each participating library will receive a $500 stipend.

• Do summer services demonstrate attention to equity?
• How are libraries determining how and if summer services are achieving equity goals?
• What impact are summer services having on those that need them most?

• Attend eight virtual learning sessions every other week with other NJ participants. The sessions will run from late Fall 2024 – Winter 2025.
• Attend a virtual orientation session on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 from 10 – 11 am.
• Virtual learning session dates and times are:
  • Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, 10 am – 11:30 am
  • Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, 10 am – 11:00 am
  • Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, 10 am – 11:30 am **** Note, it’s a Thursday
  • Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, 10 am – 11 am
  • Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, 10 am – 11:30 am
  • Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, 10 am – 11 am
  • Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, 10 am – 11:30 am
  • Wednesday, Mar. 12, 2025, 10 am – 11 am
• Participants should plan to commit approximately 2-5 hours a month to BEBS work outside of the learning sessions.
• Participate in a monthly Community of Practice (CoP) with other states in 2025 after the learning sessions conclude.

Libraries who would like to participate in this project are asked to contact Sharon Rawlins, Youth Services Specialist, NJ State Library, srawlins@njstatelib.org, 609-278-2640 x116, by September 30, 2024.

The post Building Equity-Based Summers (BEBS) Initiative appeared first on New Jersey State Library.

This article was originally published by Thomas State Edison University.

Thomas Edison State University (TESU), in collaboration with the New Jersey State Library (NJSL), announces the formation of a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force. This initiative aims to guide the integration of AI technologies across the university and library, ensuring these innovations align with the strategic goals and ethical standards of both institutions.

The AI Task Force has been established to support leadership across TESU and NJSL in integrating AI into various organizational operations and enhancing the educational experiences of students. The task force will focus on key areas such as AI-driven tools for business processes, data analytics, student services and institutional initiatives. By doing so, the task force plans to ensure that these efforts are consistent with TESU’s and NJSL’s strategic initiatives and ethical principles.

TESU President Merodie A. Hancock, Ph.D., expressed her support for the initiative.

“At TESU, we are committed to preparing our students and staff for the future, and the formation of this AI Task Force is a critical step in that direction. By aligning our efforts with the state’s broader AI initiatives, and partnering with our affiliate, The New Jersey State Library, we ensure that our community is not only equipped to adapt to the changes brought by AI, but also to lead in this new era of technological innovation. This task force will play a vital role in integrating AI into our educational and operational strategies, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of higher education,” Hancock said.

The task force will operate under the direction of the Provost and the Chief Technology Officer, who, together, will oversee the alignment of AI strategies with institutional priorities. Stuart A. Eisenstadt, assistant dean of the School of Sciences & Technology, will serve as chair and Christina Wilson, director of Learning Technology & Solutions, and Edith Beckett, Ph.D., MLIS, supervisor, tech services at NJSL, will be co-chairs.

The launch of TESU’s AI Task Force comes at a pivotal moment for the state of New Jersey. In a national first, New Jersey has initiated a comprehensive effort to consult workers across the state about the impact of generative artificial intelligence on the workplace. Recognizing the potential of AI, the State of New Jersey is seeking direct input from workers about the hopes, concerns and challenges they foresee with this rapidly evolving technology. The insights gathered from a statewide survey will inform the Governor’s Office on how to harness AI responsibly and ethically.

The TESU/NJSL AI Task Force’s work will complement the state’s broader AI initiatives by focusing on the academic and operational integration of AI within higher education and public library systems. As the state gathers insights from its workforce, TESU’s task force will ensure that the university remains at the forefront of preparing students and staff for the future of work, aligning educational experiences with the evolving demands of the labor market.

“AI is changing how people produce and consume information; ensuring that the implications of using AI are well understood is paramount for libraries serving students and the public,” said New Jersey State Librarian Jen Nelson.

The TESU/NJSL AI Task Force will engage in a range of activities, including:

• Student Learning: Recommending AI tools and processes to effectively incorporate AI into student learning experiences.
• Strategic Guidance: Advising on the development of a comprehensive AI strategy that includes measurable objectives, identifying impactful AI applications and ensuring alignment with TESU’s and NJSL’s missions.
• Ethical Implementation: Providing guidance on maintaining ethical standards and compliance with laws like GDPR and FERPA, particularly in data privacy, algorithmic fairness and transparency.
• Technology Assessment: Evaluating and recommending AI technologies that best meet the needs of TESU and NJSL, ensuring compatibility and integration feasibility.
• Data Governance: Offering expertise in managing the security, integrity and privacy of institutional data used in AI applications.
• Training and Resources: Facilitating AI literacy and competency through continuous learning, resource development and professional development programs tailored to TESU/NJSL staff and students.

The task force will also collaborate with external AI experts and vendors to support its recommendations. This collaboration will enhance the university’s operational efficiency and data-driven decision making while ensuring that AI is appropriately integrated into the student experience.

The post Thomas Edison State University and New Jersey State Library Launch Artificial Intelligence Task Force to Drive Strategic Innovation appeared first on New Jersey State Library.

NLS is doing an excellent job of allowing multiple devices to access BARD.  Patrons can now use a device that fits their needs while being able to enjoy reading books and magazines.

The Alexa smart speaker is a commercial device that NLS is allowing patrons to use to download items from BARD. The recent grant from the Bordentown Elks Lodge 2085 allowing TBBC to distribute 40 Amazon Echo Dot smart speakers brought to light an issue that patrons will need to be made aware of.

Working with representatives from NLS as well as the United States Postal Service, the post office decided that since access to the BARD program was not the prime function of the Alexa smart speaker, TBBC could not send out the Alexa smart speakers to children in the summer reading program under the provision of “Free Matter for the Blind or Handicapped.”

The additional cost to ensure that children in the program receive this gift was in the hundreds of dollars.  Fortunately for TBBC children, a bequest from the estate of Barbara Shalit will enable the children to receive the Alexa smart speakers.

This is only a reminder that as NLS opens more opportunities for patrons there may be circumstances where postage will need to be paid.

The post Other Commercial Devices appeared first on New Jersey State Library.

The Talking Book and Braille Center (TBBC) is happy to announce that the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) has now made their BARD Express Player available for your PC!

With the BARD Express Player, you can listen to any audiobook on your PC!

If you already have BARD Express on your PC, you just need to update it. When you open BARD Express, there will be an alert saying “A new version of BARD Express is available,” giving you the option to skip, remind you later, or to update. Or, when you are in BARD Express, on the top menu pick the third option, “Help.” The second item is “Check for updates.”

If you want to download BARD Express on your PC, you can download it from this webpage: https://www.loc.gov/nls/how-to-enroll/sign-up-for-bard-and-bard-mobile/welcome-to-bard-express/

Much like BARD Mobile, the BARD Express Player allows you to adjust the narration speed; jump to navigation points such as part, chapter, and article; create bookmarks; and much more. You can also create global settings for narration speed, auto-play, auto-rewind, and more.

If you are using JAWS and NVDA, you can either use the tab key to move to each of the player’s functions or tap a single letter assigned to that function. For example, you can type F for fast forward, R for rewind, and B for bookmarks. A complete list of commands can be found under the BARD Express Help menu.

Scripts are built into the 2024 version of JAWS to optimize the BARD Express Player. If you are using JAWS 2022 or 2023, you can download the same scripts from the BARD Express page on the NLS website and import them into your screen reader.

NLS recommends reading Section 7 of the BARD Express user guide, which is dedicated to the BARD Express Player to familiarize yourself with the new player. The user guide can be found on the BARD Express page on the NLS website at https://www.loc.gov/nls/how-to-enroll/sign-up-for-bard-and-bard-mobile/welcome-to-bard-express/

The post BARD Express Player appeared first on New Jersey State Library.

TBBC is wrapping up another successful Summer Reading Program. This year’s theme was “Adventure Begins at Your Library” and it was most certainly an adventurous summer!  By the end of the program, TBBC will have sent by mail 4 different activity packets in large print and braille, if requested, to all participants. The packages include booklists, craft ideas, activities, and prizes such as wooden snakes, plush stars, sand art, and more thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Library. Additionally, special for this year, each participant had the opportunity to receive an Amazon Echo Dot thanks to a generous grant from the Bordentown Elks Lodge 2085 Elks National Foundation Committee.

We are already looking forward to next summer when things promise to get a bit more colorful as we “Color Our World!” In the meantime, if you’d like any book suggestions, want books sent to you, or have questions about your account and/or how to access any of TBBC’s services, please contact us at TBBCYouth@njstatelib.org! And as a reminder, TBBC’s summer program is open to any child or teen patron of TBBC!

The post Summer Reading Program for Children and Teens appeared first on New Jersey State Library.

TBBC has made some changes to the way we distribute our audio magazine cartridges. Previously, TBBC relied on distributors to send nationally produced magazines to you. These magazines came in a red box and were sent from states outside of New Jersey.

Now, those nationally produced magazines will be sent to you directly from TBBC in Trenton, New Jersey. These magazine cartridges will be identical to the book cartridges that you are used to receiving from us. This change in distribution will have no effect on the content of the magazines.

This change will allow for faster check-ins of your returning magazines, which should decrease the time it takes for you to receive new issues.

Our bi-monthly audio catalog, Talking Book Topics, will continue to be mailed from outside New Jersey for the time being.

If you have any questions, or would like to subscribe to any audio magazines, please give us a call at (800) 792-8322 ext. 0. We can also be reached by email at TBBC@njstatelib.org.

The post Magazines on Cartridges appeared first on New Jersey State Library.

Did you know that TBBC has a monthly Virtual Book Club?

Our book club is a great place to get together with other TBBC patrons and discuss some amazing books. We are always looking for new members!

Our Virtual Book Club meets the first Thursday of every month at 1:00 p.m. Since the club is virtual, members can join either online using a link that is emailed to them, or by calling in over the telephone.

Club members get to vote on the books we read, and every book that we feature is available through our library. We also have time at meetings for members to talk about other books they have read recently, which is a great opportunity to get other reading recommendations.

If you are interested in joining a meeting, please call us at 800-792-8322 ext. 812 or email us at tbbc@njstatelib.org.

For more information, and for future meeting dates, you can read more about our Book Club online at https://www.njstatelib.org/talking-book-braille-center/tbbcs-virtual-bookclub/

The post TBBC’s Virtual Book Club: The Perfect Place to Talk About Talking Books! appeared first on New Jersey State Library.

Do you, or someone you know, have a loss in vision which makes it difficult to use technology? If so, the New Jersey State Library Talking Book and Braille Center is pleased to announce we are taking registrations for the next round of classes of the Library Equal Access Program (LEAP).

LEAP is a series of free classes sponsored by the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. These classes are for individuals aged 55 and older who have a loss in vision. The classes will teach you about accessibility tools available on iPhones and iPads, such as Siri and VoiceOver. 

The next round of classes will include an iPhone and iPad course for beginners, and an iPhone and iPad course for intermediate users. Classes are free and devices are available for students to use in class.

Classes are starting soon at the Talking Book and Braille Center in Trenton. To find out more about LEAP please contact Stephen Felle by phone at 800-792-8322 ext. 812 or by email at sfelle@njstatelib.org  

Click Here for more information about the classes

The post Registration Open for Free LEAP Technology Courses appeared first on New Jersey State Library.