Washington Talking Book & Braille Library (WTBBL)

🌈 We had a blast at Seattle PrideFest! A huge thank you to our wonderful volunteers who helped us promote WTBBL. Your energy and dedication made it an unforgettable day! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

July Recommended Reads: Every pet owner wishes they could know what their pets are thinking. If only they could talk! These authors have taken a shot at what all sorts of critters might say, given the chance. Enjoy these books about a myriad of talking animals!
https://www.sos.wa.gov/washington-talking-book-braille-library/get-books/recommended-reads-adults

Today we will be at the Seattle Center above the Fisher Pavilion! Come by and say hi!

This Saturday and Sunday WTBBL will be tabling at Seattle PrideFest! Swing by to say hi and pick up a limited edition WTBBL Pride button! https://www.seattlepridefest.org/

Please join us in congratulating our Audiobook Technician, Steve Goettsch, on 39 years of service at the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library! Steve began as a volunteer in our shipping department before being hired in the audiobook department where he has helped edit and produce thousands of books. Steve holds a Master of Music Education from Drake University in Iowa and worked as a music educator and record shop manager before his career at the library. In his free time he enjoys gardening, listening to jazz, and spending time with his wife Jayne and his cat Daisy. Steve retires at the end of this month and we will be very sad to see him go. He has become a steadfast fixture of the library and WTBBL just won't be the same without him. Let Steve know in the comments how much he is appreciated! He is truly one of a kind.

Celebrate Audiobook Appreciation Month by checking out the top 4 most downloaded audiobooks produced at WTBBL in the past year! 🎧📚 Have you listened to any of these?
1. Artificial Divide (DBC19240), Edited by Robert Kingett and Randy Lacey, Narrated by Michael Memmo
2. Comfort and Joy (DBC16784), By Kristin Hannah, Narrated by Rachel Glass
3. The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell (DBC00304), written and narrated by Robert Dugoni
4. Cheap, Fast, Good!: A Cookbook (DBC15608) by Beverly Mills, Narrated by Ros Wilkes

Free People Read Freely!

Join the Washington State Library in celebrating our right to read the books that speak to us. People of all ages in Washington state are invited to share their thoughts on the power and joy of reading freely.

Reading can serve so many purposes – entertainment, learning, instruction, understanding, validation, comfort, and so much more. This summer and fall, Washington State Library, Humanities Washington, and the Washington Center for the Book are coming together to celebrate the power of reading choice. What does it mean to you to have the freedom to read? No matter how old you are, or where you are in Washington, we invite you to add your voice to a chorus of Washington readers. Answer one of the prompts on their form, and they'll collect and share responses. Watch their social media and stay tuned for an interactive website filled with the thoughts of your fellow Washingtonians about why reading freely is such an important right.

Our new Reading Matters Newsletter is now online! Check it out: https://tinyurl.com/ReadingMattersNewsletter

Mark your calendar! On Monday, June 24th, 1pm PT, join the NLS for their summer reading kickoff program!

NLS Director Jason Broughton will open the 2024 NLS Summer Reading Program with welcoming remarks, followed by Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden, who will read a children’s book for young participants. Afterwards, there will be fun singing and moving to the music provided by Matt Mazur of Turtle Dance Music.
Register: https://loc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_czrEzNhES5ewZbdGeEg9lA

We will be closed Wednesday, June 19th for Juneteenth! Juneteenth commemorates the day that the Union Army made its way into Galveston, TX and announced to the people of Texas that all enslaved African Americans were free. In honor of the holiday, we have compiled a list of relevant titles available now in the WTBBL collection:

On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reed, DB103364
Red River by Lalita Tademy, DB064412
Shoutin' in the Fire by Dante Stewart, DB118011
Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women that a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall, DB098638, BR023152
Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper, DB105650
Freedom's Gifts: A Juneteenth Story by Valerie Wesley, DBC04831

Take a leap with your feet on the ground. Sign up for Adult Book Bingo: Adventure Edition! Call 800-542-0866 or email [email protected] to have a braille or large print bingo card sent to you in the mail. Or visit the Book Bingo page to download your bingo card. https://www.sos.wa.gov/washington-talking-book-braille-library/book-bingo

Image description: A graphic of two people sky diving with the smiles on their face. Behind them are clouds made out of embossed braille paper.

- Have you had a diagnosis of irreversible vision loss?

- Are you worried about how you’ll stay independent with less vision?

- Are you interested in learning about ways to cope?

If this sounds like you, please join in-person us as we discuss tips, tricks and helpful resources for living with vision loss. In this 3 hour workshop, we will cover topics such as strategies for coping, helpful equipment, services, home modifications and more!

Call 206-615-0400 or email [email protected] to register.

Next Thursday, June 13th at 4pm PT, join NLS online for the their Many Faces of BARD program. This months topic is NLS eReader Updates: A Brief Review.

For more information and the Zoom link visit: https://www.loc.gov/nls/news-and-updates/many-faces-of-bard/

It’s the last week to register for the 2024 Youth Summer Reading Program! Early Learners, Children, and Teens can sign up for this year's theme: ADVENTURE BEGINS AT YOUR LIBRARY! Join us for 8 weeks’ worth of activity packets in large print and braille, special in-person events around the state, virtual programming, and an exciting Reading Challenge with great prizes. The program runs from June 29 - August 16. *Registration closes June 12!*

Link to register for the 2024 Youth Summer Reading Program: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/S2BJLFX

This month, we commemorate the Supreme Court's decision that made the banning of in*******al marriage unconstitutional. To celebrate the anniversary of and the freedom to love whomever you choose, here are some stories featuring our favorite in*******al couples, love stories, and protagonists!
https://www.sos.wa.gov/washington-talking-book-braille-library/get-books/recommended-reads-adults

Another batch of newly produced audiobooks are available! Thank you to our amazing volunteers!
- Oh, La La! Homegrown Stories, Tips, and Garden Wisdom by Ciscoe Morris (DBC07152), Narrator: Norm Zimmerman
- Seattle at 150: Stories of the City Through 150 Objects from the Seattle Municipal Archives edited by Jennifer Ott (DBC19032), Narrator: Debra Godfrey | Reviewer: Judy Ogliore
-Wicked Seattle by Teresa Nordheim (DBC19103), Narrator: Jim Weston | Reviewer: Akiko Maeda
- The Dreamer and the Doctor: A Forest Lover and a Physician on the Edge of the Frontier by Jack Nisbet (DBC19135), Narrator: Gregg Porter | Reviewer: Mark Danner
- Ski Jumping in Washington State: A Nordic Tradition by by John W. Lundin (DBC19207)
- Double Crossing by Meg Mims (DBC15612), Narrator: Mary Kelly
-The Grand Ones of San Ildefonso by Lauran Paine (DBC15674), Narrator: Norm Zimmerman | Reviewer: Judy Ogliore

Next Monday, June 10th, at 4pm PT, the NLS Patron Engagement Section is hosting their quarterly Patron Corner. The topic for this program is NLS Summer Reading: Another Bridge for Literacy for Children Who Are Blind or Low Vision.

The 90-minute session will feature a national panel of experts on literacy in the blind and low-vision community. Panelists will discuss the state of literacy among low-vision children and adults and describe approaches for improving literacy outcomes.

https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1619544461?pwd=R0k4Y2lxY050a1pKUTRDR0MxRkxpQT09.

Adult book bingo has officially started! Dive into adventurous reads and track your progress on our bingo card for a chance to win prizes. Contact us at 800-542-0866 or email [email protected] to request a bingo card or visit tinyurl.com/WTBBLBookBingo to download your own!

Guess what?! Adult Book Bingo is starting soon. Stay tuned for more details!

Thank you to everyone who participated in GiveBIG! Because of your generosity, we are closer to achieving our goals for the Training & Assistive Technology Program. Your support makes a real difference in our community.

We are deeply grateful for each and every one of you!

Happy Asian American and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month! To celebrate, we are looking at the ways in which food can be the ultimate storyteller - engaging our senses and connecting us to traditions that have been passed down for generations. As author Yasmine Elsayed says, "From grand feasts, to humble family meals, food is a unifying force that brings us together."
Check out these titles from WTBBL to learn more about how these authors use food to connect to their heritage!
DB110831: Savor; A Chef's Hunger for more by Fatima Ali
DB106081: Tastemakers: Seven Immigrant Women Who Revolutionized Food in America by Mayukh Sen
DB100830: Eat a Peach; A Memoir by David Chang
DBC27427: American Harvest: God, Country, and Farming in the Heartland by Marie Mutsuki Mockett
DBC15780: My Rice Bowl by Rachel Yang and Jess Thompson
DB103413: Crying in H Mart: A Memoir by Michelle Zauner
DBC19336: First Generation: Recipes From My Taiwanese-American Home by Frankie Gaw
DB067636: The Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the World of Chinese Food by Jennifer Lee

We've raised $2,888 so far! There's still time to help! Your support can enhance our Training & Assistive Technology Program, providing essential tools for audio and braille reading. Every donation counts! GiveBIG today!

https://www.wagives.org/organization/Washington-Talking-Book-Braille-Library

Our Patron Computer Lab is getting an upgrade, and we need your help to make it happen! Your donation will modernize this essential resource, ensuring everyone has access to technology and literacy resources. Join us in building a brighter future for our community.

https://www.wagives.org/organization/Washington-Talking-Book-Braille-Library

It's Day 2 of GiveBIG! We're on our way to our $10,000 goal to enhance our Training & Assistive Technology Program. Every contribution helps us provide better services and more opportunities. Let's keep the momentum going! https://www.wagives.org/organization/Washington-Talking-Book-Braille-Library

Every donation brings us closer to our $10,000 goal for GiveBIG! Help us reach new heights by supporting our Training & Assistive Technology Program. Together, we can empower more individuals through technology and literacy. https://www.wagives.org/organization/Washington-Talking-Book-Braille-Library

This Thursday, May 9th at 4pm PT, join NLS online for the their Many Faces of BARD program. This months topic is Using the Siri Shortcuts for BARD.
For more information and the Zoom link visit: https://www.loc.gov/nls/news-and-updates/many-faces-of-bard/

Let's make technology more accessible together! With your support, we can enhance our Training & Assistive Technology Program, providing crucial training and equipment for audio and braille reading. Your donation can make a real difference in someone's life. GiveBIG today!
https://www.wagives.org/organization/Washington-Talking-Book-Braille-Library

GiveBIG is here, and we're on a mission to raise $10,000 for our Training & Assistive Technology Program! Your donation can help us welcome a new librarian and expand our programming to better serve the community. Every dollar counts! https://www.wagives.org/organization/Washington-Talking-Book-Braille-Library

GiveBIG starts tomorrow! We're on a mission to raise $10,000 to enhance our Training & Assistive Technology Program. Get ready to make a huge impact in our community. Every contribution helps us bring more programs and technology to those who need it most.

Learn more or donate early: https://www.wagives.org/organization/Washington-Talking-Book-Braille-Library

May Recommended Reads: Are you ready to undertake a beefy reading project? Boy, do we have ideas for you! Find a hearty book series that you can dig into! Allow yourself to get lost in the vast depth and breadth of characters and worlds that can be developed over several volumes. So get comfy and let these series full of many, many books take you on many, many journeys!
https://www.sos.wa.gov/washington-talking-book-braille-library/get-books/recommended-reads-adults
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