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As we begin 2026, let’s reflect together on the celebrations and challenges of the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled in 2025.
It might be fair to say that LBPD survived a lot this year with the extended government shutdown and even the shadow of losing funding through cuts at the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Through it all, the staff at LBPD have remained steady in their commitment to serving you, our patrons and partners. Here are some highlights from 2025:
- LBPD opened conversations about disability and access through a partner conference for library staff across Maryland with the Disability, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Libraries (DIAL) Conference in May and with our first-ever virtual Dyslexia Summit which drew an international audience of educators, families and advocates in October.
- LBPD welcomed 500 new patrons.
- LBPD’s Maryland Accessible Textbook Program connected more students to accessible textbooks, especially during the fall semester.
- LBPD continued to send out materials and worked diligently to resolve USPS issues through our liaisons.
- LBPD transitioned our patrons to using BARD 2.0 and introduced the DA2.
- LBPD received parental acknowledgements for all of our active Youth patrons and institutions.
- LBPD’s Recording Studio reached the 400 book milestone on BARD, increasing access to Maryland-focused titles.
- LBPD hosted dozens of patrons at in person programs, virtual webinars, podcasts, promoting assistive technology, healthy living, literacy and the arts.
- LBPD, in cooperation with the Maryland Department of General Services, completed a LED lighting upgrade and made improvements to the sidewalks around the building to save money and make the library experience safer and more comfortable.
- LBPD began a process of contacting our inactive patrons to renew connections and ensure that you know how to best use our service.
These efforts reflect our commitment not only to providing materials but to building community, increasing awareness, and advancing equitable access to literacy.
As we look ahead, 2026 brings exciting opportunities. We are expanding programs, strengthening partnerships, and continuing to explore new ways to connect Marylanders to accessible reading, technology, and learning. Thank you to our patrons, partners, educators, and supporters who make this work possible. Your involvement drives our mission forward, and we look forward to another year of growth, innovation, and impact together.
John Owen, Director
Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
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 Technology User Group - hands reading an electronic braille reader.
Technology User Group
The next three Technology User Group meetings will be held on:
- Saturday, January 10 - Image Center & BlindShell 3 Phone with AI
- Saturday, February 7 - What's News with Jaws and Zoomtext in 2026
- Saturday, March 14 - Hable Easy - Smartphone Remote Controller
All meetings begin at 10:00 a.m. and can be accessed by phone or Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting:
Meeting ID: 656 203 7293
Call in Number:
1-301-715-8592
Meeting ID: 656 203 7293#
One Tap Mobile:
+13017158592,,6562037293#
 Podcast - microphone on black background
Listen to the latest podcast!
Youth Highlights
Checkmate! Chess @ The Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
The Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD) wants to bring the joy and fun of chess to our youth community members. Chess isn't just a game; it's a doorway to new skills, connection, and pure enjoyment!
Why Play Chess? The Benefits Go Beyond the Board:
- Sharpen Your Mind: Chess is a fantastic way to boost concentration, memory, and problem-solving skills. Learn to think several steps ahead and develop strategic planning.
- Enhance Focus and Patience: The game demands attention to detail and encourages careful, thoughtful decision-making—skills valuable in every area of life.
- A Level Playing Field: Using specialized tactile boards, chess becomes fully accessible, offering an equally challenging and rewarding experience for players of all sight levels.
- Build Community: Connect with fellow enthusiasts, share strategies, and engage in friendly competition in a welcoming and supportive environment.
Enjoyment & Fun:
Forget the stereotype of quiet, serious play! Our club, guided by Coach Marc, is all about enjoying the game. Feel the thrill of a clever tactical move, the pride in a well-planned strategy, and the fun of learning and growing with others. Whether you're a total beginner or an intermediate player, enjoy the mental challenge and the social camaraderie.
Ready to Make Your Move?
The first meeting is Saturday, January 24th [In-Person]
Time: 10:30 AM
Location: 415 Park Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21201
Intended Audience: Ages 7-18
We'll provide all the necessary equipment and guidance. To better prepare for the first session, please complete the following form: https://forms.gle/iRGybfvKovxwMUFh7.
For more information, contact LaShawn Myles at kidsdesk.lbpd@maryland.gov.
See you at the board!
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Friday, January 16, 2026
12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Baltimore Clayworks
3345 Washington Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21227
Please note: This is the last Baltimore Clayworks event.
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Blind Industries and Services of Maryland
3345 Washington Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21227
The library will be part of the 2025 National Federation of the Blind - Maryland's State Convention. Stop by our booth on Friday, February 13, 2026, to learn about the library, share your library story, and more!
National Center for Exploited and Missing Children Events
These events are being held in partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The events are free, but registration is required. At this time, neither event will be recorded.
Goals for both presentations include:
- Open and support continuing conversations about healthy relationships, accurate information, and red flags.
- Helping adults to aid children in developing critical skills such as empathy, critical thinking, problem-solving, rejection skills, and reaching out for help.
- How to report
- Being a trusted adult
- Being an upstander
Thursday, February 12, 2026; 6:00 p.m. EST
This presentation will give an overview of NCMEC programs while highlighting the most critical trends in online child sexual exploitation and prevention, providing essential insights for community members. Topics covered will include online enticement, sextortion, and Generative AI. Register here.
Thursday, February 26, 2026; 6:00 p.m. EST
This presentation aims to provide participants with helpful information, prevention tools to protect their children, and best practices for responding to their child if something happens. Register here.
Magazine Highlight
Please contact the library to subscribe to this or any other magazines. The following magazine is also available on BARD.
Consumer Reports: On Health
This magazine provides the latest news from medical researchers for the layperson concerned with improving and maintaining their health. Each issue includes articles on the latest health trends, honest criticisms and critiques of the latest in medical procedures and preventative measures to help the reader decide what is best for him or her, articles to help the reader decide where his or her health weaknesses might lie, and helpful tips for maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle. Available monthly via BARD or digital cartridge.
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Tech Support for Your Device
Keep these phone numbers handy in case you ever need to contact one of the companies for technical support.
Apple Accessibility: 877-204-3930
BlindShell Customer Support: 520-605-3569
Freedom Scientific Technical Support: 727-803-8600
Google Accessibility: 650-417-9257
HumanWare Customer Service and Tech Support: 800-722-3393
Microsoft Customer Support for People with Disabilities: 800-936-5900
Selvas BLV (Blind and Low Vision): 888-520-4467
Verizon Support for People with Disabilities: 888-262-1999
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The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), part of the Library of Congress, has released a series of short instructional videos to help patrons learn how to use the new NLS Digital Advanced Player 2 (DA2). These videos walk through the updated buttons, features, and navigation of the DA2.
Step-by-step instructions and written guides are also available on the NLS website.
Together, these resources are designed to help you get comfortable with the new player and make the most of its features.
If you have additional questions about the DA2, please contact the library.
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 Collection Highlights
The Songs of Blind Folk: African American Musicians and the Cultures of Blindness, by Terry Rowden
BR 19079
Explores the way lives of nineteenth- and twentieth-century blind black musicians reflected mainstream changes in perceptions of blindness and images of the black community. Discusses prodigy Blind Tom Bethune, bluesman Blind Lemon Jefferson, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Art Tatum, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Ray Charles, and Stevie Wonder.
The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read, by Rita L. Hubbard
BR 23181
Born into slavery where literacy is forbidden, Mary Walker, the nation's oldest student, learned to read at the age of 116. Print/Braille. For grades K-3. 2020.
Black, Blind, & in Charge: A Story of Visionary Leadership and Overcoming Adversity, by David A. Paterson
DB 106283
The author reflects on accomplishing a career path that led to his appointments as state senator, lieutenant governor, and governor of New York. He discusses pushing past people's perceptions of his limitations, the causes he fought for, and his life since leaving office.
 Marylandia Updates
Goliath: Hero of the Great Baltimore Fire, by Claudia Friddell, narrated by Michelle Chagnon-Bryan
DBC 12544
In 1904, the city of Baltimore was almost destroyed by fire. Hundreds of firemen, policemen, soldiers, and citizens battled the blaze for three days. The disaster brings out the best in man and the bravest of deeds, but one hero stands head and shoulders above them all. Goliath is a fire horse assigned to Engine Company 15. He is massive in size and mighty in heart and steadfastness. To the men of Engine Company 15, Goliath is the ultimate fire horse. When the fire alarm sounds, calling them to action, Goliath’s lifesaving actions will lead him into the pages of history. For grades 2-4.
If your talking book machine is not working, please contact the library. Staff may be able to troubleshoot the issue by phone or determine when a replacement machine is needed. If a replacement is issued, a new machine will be sent via the U.S. Postal Service. When it arrives, please return your old machine promptly. You may use the packaging provided, or call the library for alternate mailing instructions.
Please remember that patrons may have only one (1) talking book machine checked out at a time.
Talking book machines are the property of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, a program of the Library of Congress. These machines are loaned for personal use only and may not be shared, sold, destroyed, or given away. Any use that is not personal, including the sale, gifting, or destruction of Library of Congress equipment and materials, violates federal law. If you no longer need your machine, it must be returned to the library so that other patrons who need the equipment have the opportunity to use it.
Collections Connections is an e-newsletter assembled by the staff of the Collections Division of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) to highlight books and resources of diverse interest that NLS patrons can download instantly from BARD, the Braille and Audio Reading Download website.
To sign up, you can use the subscription box below or send your name and email address to the Collection Connections team at connections@loc.gov. (You can also unsubscribe yourself from Collections Connections at any time.)
The Metropolitan Washington Ear, Inc. (MWE) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization incorporated under the laws of the state of Maryland. MWE provides reading and information services, and training for blind, visually impaired, and physically disabled people who cannot effectively read print, see plays, watch television programs and films, or view museum exhibits.
The Ear’s services are available to anyone qualified as unable effectively to read ordinary print because of visual or physical limitations. To sign up for service, call (301) 681-6636, fax us at (301) 625-1986 or email us at info@washear.org. Be sure to include your name, address and telephone number. You may also use our online application for services at application for services.
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