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Talking Books

Talking Books Blog

Virginia Libraries Journal Discovers Our Subregional Library
Beth Solka, Talking Books, Talking Books Blog
04/23/2013 - 9:17am
Talking Book Display

The most recent issue of the Virginia Libraries featured an article about our very own Subregional Library for the Blind.  The article has been very well-received for its educational value. The staff has also been delighted with the lovely photos of CRRL staff Mutahara Mobashar and Robert Solka, along with the Montross and Headquarters Talking Books displays.  Thank all of you so much for making this Subregional Library an invaluable part of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library.

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Until Tuesday by Luis Carlos Montalvan
Beth Solka, Iraqi War, LibraryPoint Blog, Memoir, PTSD, Talking Books Blog, Veterans, Working Dogs, Shelf Life Blog, Nonfiction
04/15/2013 - 8:06am
Until Tuesday

One of my favorite customers called me to tell me that he loved the book Until Tuesday.  I am sure that this story about a veteran spoke to him since he is also a veteran who happens to love dogs. 

Until Tuesday is the true story of a highly-decorated Iraqi war veteran who returns home as a war hero.  However, Luis Carlos Montalvan has such incredible injuries to his body and his psyche that he cannot cope with everyday life. He hovers on the brink of suicide until he meets Tuesday, a golden retriever who also had an emotionally difficult journey to get to Luis.

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The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin
Audiobooks, Beth Solka, Charles Lindbergh, Historical Fiction, LibraryPoint Blog, Lindbergh baby trial, Talking Books Blog, Historical Fiction
04/04/2013 - 10:47am
The Aviator's Wife

I admit that I have not read this book, but one of my customers just called to say that he enjoyed The Aviator’s Wife, by Melanie Benjamin, so much that he couldn’t put it down. It is the story of Ann Morrow Lindbergh.  I was given Gift From the Sea, by Ann Morrow Lindbergh, as a Christmas present and was struck by the beauty of this wonderful, little book. I was immediately impressed by the tremendous intelligence and fierce independence of this famous woman. How could anyone not admire such an incredible woman who struggled to maintain her own identity with such a famous husband?

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About Talking Books Services @ CRRL

The Assistive Services Department in the Central Rappahannock Regional Library Headquarters houses the Fredericksburg Area Subregional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. The Subregional Library with its Talking Books collection is a component of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), maintained by the Library of Congress.

Anyone in the Subregional Library's service area (City of Fredericksburg, and Prince William, Spotsylvania, Stafford, King George, Caroline, Orange, and Westmoreland counties) who is unable to read or use standard print materials due to temporary or permanent visual impairment, physical disability, or dyslexia may be eligible for the Talking Books service. Individuals and institutions who are eligible may borrow a free player as long as it is needed and receive free talking books.

To apply, simply print off the application above, fill it out, and have a professional fill out the certification section. Then mail it back to the Subregional Library using the address on the form.

Phone: 540-372-1144, ext. 234, email: BARD@crrl.org

Braille Audio and Reading Download (BARD)

BARD is a program offered by the National Library Service. This free program allows patrons to download talking books from an extensive collection of titles.

To obtain a BARD account, you must first be a member of the Subregional Library for the Blind housed in the Central Rappahannock Regional Library.

New to BARD? Apply now!

Already have an account? Log in.

Once you have a digital talking book player and a BARD account, along with a computer and high speed Internet access you may download free books. The zip file of the book can be saved to the computer, unzipped, and the files can be moved to a simple thumb drive which fits into the right side of the digital player.  You can also purchase a blank talking book cartridge. A connector cable is needed to move the unzipped files from the computer to the talking book cartridge. You will then be able to play them on your digital talking book player and keep them as long as you want.

A Talking Book Patron has access to:

  • The Subregional Library local collection of over 10,000 titles
  • The NLS nationwide collection of digital and cassette titles
  • The  NLS nationwide Braille collection
  • Descriptive videos in VHS and DVD format.
  • Braille by request. If you need a document Brailled for school, church, or business use, we are happy to perform this service, but please call Assistive Services to arrange for printing two weeks in advance of your deadline.