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In Focus

May 2024

News from the BSBP Braille and Talking Book Library (BTBL)
702 W. Kalamazoo Street
PO Box 30007
Lansing, MI 48909

Prefer the downloadable version of this newsletter? Check out the PDF version.

Summer Reading Program Registration is now open for this All-Ages program! Adventure Begins at Your Library June 24 – August 2nd Register to gain access to virtual events offered through the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) and BTBL. Experiences include: Isle Royale National Park Ranger Talk Birding by Ear and Beyond with Donna Posont Turtle Dance Music Party Author Talk with Angeline Boulley Virtual Escape Room and Choose Your Own Reading Adventure experiences Themed reading lists Activity of the Week ideas Grand Prize drawing for participants See page 4-5 for dates, times, and event details. Please register for the summer reading program if you are interested in any of the programming mentioned so that we can send you additional information, Zoom links, etc. Register via Google form: https://forms.gle/TxXjsZ6ev119mJyw7

BTBL News

Audio Magazine Delivery Updates

Have you noticed a difference in your audio magazine delivery? That’s because BTBL has joined a pilot program allowing us to provide audio magazine delivery directly to our Michigan patrons! Some changes you may have noticed include:

• Magazines no longer arrive in the red plastic cases, with the exception of the audio version of the Talking Book Topics magazine.
• Fewer magazines per cartridge – no waiting for a ‘trigger’ publication. We now send new magazines as soon as they are available with a max of 3 magazine cartridges checked out at a time. This means the sooner you return your old
  magazine cartridges, the sooner you will get new magazines released.
• The cases and cartridges are the exact same as your audio books– the title and issue of the magazine is printed on the address card similar to book titles and authors.
• Patrons can now easily order back issues of magazines as long as you are under the 3 cartridge max for magazines.

Scholarships from the Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired (MCBVI)

The MCBVI is happy to announce the offering of 2 scholarships for blind and visually impaired students in Michigan. These 2 scholarships will be offered in the following categories: Technical/Vocational career; Undergraduate degree; Graduate degree. Our purpose for awarding these scholarships is to promote the education of the members of our blind and low vision community and to decrease the barriers for a more diverse, equal, and inclusive society. Contact Dr. Joe Todd for an application at jtodd1226@hotmail.com. All applications must be submitted by June 15.

Libraries Without Walls – Success!

On May 9, BTBL hosted the Libraries Without Walls: Empowering Access, Inspiring Innovation at Lansing Community College in partnership with the Michigan Department of Education – Low Incidence Outreach. The hybrid event focused on educating individuals about getting the most out of adaptive technology. With more than 160 in-person attendees and 70 virtual ones, we want to thank everyone who participated and helped make this event possible.

VISIONS Vendor Fair

Join the Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Print Disabled on June 5, 2024, from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Downtown Ann Arbor District Library! The event will feature a variety of exhibitors who will demonstrate the latest products and services for the blind, visually impaired, and physically disabled. Electronic readers, magnifiers, support services for the blind, Braille devices, library services, CCTVs, Leader Dogs for the Blind, and transportation services are just a few of the many outstanding services and products that will be on display. Presentations will also be offered on topics related to vision health, services, and assistive technology.

The VISIONS Vendor Fair is presented by the Ann Arbor District Library (which also serves as the Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Print Disabled) and is co-sponsored by the State of Michigan's Bureau of Services for Blind Persons and is funded in part by the Friends of the AADL and local Lions Clubs. For a full schedule of events, visit: https://aadl.org/visions

BTBL Calendar 

BTBL Club Info

Clubs are currently virtual only. Technology and Book Club meet the second Saturday of the month at 10:30 and 1:30, respectively. Club dates are always subject to change, especially around the holidays. No meetings in July or August.

Join BTBL Tech and Book Club via Zoom: https://bit.ly/36vEPld

To join by phone, dial: 929-205-6099

Meeting ID: 951 928 2886, Meeting Password: 528260

BTBL Calendar of Events:

May 28: Tech Tidbit Tuesday, Join us for short 20-minute presentations of tech topics on Zoom on the last Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m.: https://bit.ly/3KDjHv1. Future dates: June 25, July 30, August 27.

June 8: Technology Club – Help Features in JAWS, NVDA, Narrator, and Zoomtext presented by Dr. Joe Todd

June 8: Book Club – The Boys from Biloxi by John Grisham (DB 110627)

June 12: Knitting Club, In-person program at 1 p.m. in the BTBL Lobby.
For more information, contact Meagan Daniels at DanielsM8@
michigan.gov. Future dates: July 17, August 21, September 18.

June 13: Tech Drop-In Days, In-person program at 10 a.m. For more information, contact Bridgid Turner at TurnerB9@michigan.gov. Future dates: July 11, August 8, September 12.

June 24 - Aug 2: Summer Reading, various events. See pages 4-5 for a calendar. Remember to register so that you are provided more detail!

July 10: OrCam Demo Day – Schedule your in-person appointment to try out this device. Contact Meagan Daniels at DanielsM8@michigan.gov.

Sept 14: Book Club– Deus X by Stephen Mack Jones (DB 117948). Author will be joining book club for a Q&A session! Details on
page 4.

Let’s Be Social

Did you know you can receive the InFocus newsletter via email? When you subscribe to our email list, you also get access to event updates, book lists, program reminders, important announcements, and more. Don’t miss important updates because you only receive the print version of our newsletter 3 times a year. Sign up for our emails and stay current on all library happenings: https://bit.ly/4aoQQEq

You can also follow us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/MichiganBTBL

Author Visit with Stephen Mack Jones

Mark your calendar for the September 14th BTBL Book Club where author Stephen Mack Jones will be joining us live for a Q&A session to discuss his newest book in the August Snow series, Deus X (DB 117948). This Michigan author has joined us before and is always a hit! The full August Snow series is available in the BTBL collection: DB 87398, DB 94769, DB 103463.

Summer Reading Program – Schedule of Events 

Kickoff event (All Ages): Monday, June 24, at 4:00 pm EDT – Join patrons nationwide for an introduction to the summer reading program with staff from the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS). NLS Director Jason Broughton will kick off this year’s summer reading program with a warm welcome and Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden will delight our young readers with a picture book reading Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal, author and illustrator (BR22572 / DBC08652).

Book Club Launchpad (Teens / Adult): Monday, July 1, at 1:00 pm EDT - Have you ever wanted to start your own book club but don’t know where to start? Here’s your chance! Join us for an introduction to Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley (DB 102762 / BR 24040) before the NLS hosted author event on Thursday, July 25. This meeting will introduce the book and author’s background, explore themes, and provide discussion questions. This will prepare you to start a mini-book club of your own with family and friends to read the book prior to the author event. Then tune in as a group and enjoy hearing from this Michigan author!

Isle Royale National Park Ranger Talk (All Ages): Wednesday, July 10, at 1:00 pm EDT – Join this exciting live presentation all about Michigan’s very own National Park! This Zoom event will be led by a Park Ranger, who will discuss the location, ecology, wildlife, and other park specific details. This program is offered to Michigan patrons only.

Birding By Ear and Beyond (Adult): Monday, July 15, at 1:00 pm EDT - Join us for a Zoom presentation coordinated by UM-Dearborn alumna, Donna Posont, who herself is blind. Donna graduated with an Environmental Studies degree from the University and was the second blind person in the United States to be recognized as a Certified Interpretive Guide by the National Association for Interpretation (NAI). Donna's efforts with Birding by Ear and Beyond has received national attention. This program is offered to Michigan patrons only.

Turtle Dance Music (Children / Family): Thursday, July 18, at 4:00 pm EDT - The Turtle Dance Music Man, Matt Mazur, is back! Matt will lead us in singing and dancing and treat our young readers to a reading of Saturday by Oge Mora (BR 23018, DB 98170). For a fun, interactive zoom where your family can dance, sing and be entertained. This is the perfect time to get those wiggles out with patrons nationwide! (NLS led event).

Author Talk with Angeline Boulley (Teen / Adult): Thursday, July 25, at 7:00 pm EDT. New York Times bestselling author Angeline Boulley will discuss her books Firekeeper’s Daughter (BR 24040, DB 102762) and Warrior Girl Unearthed (BR 25116, DB 114761) in conversation with the moderator, the award-winning author Andrea L. Rogers. The recording of this event will be available for two weeks following the talk. NLS led event.

Other Opportunities:

• Activity Board – Complete 5 activities from our ‘activity board’ to be entered into the Grand Prize drawing.
• Virtual Escape Room – This accessible escape room option uses a google form to provide a fun experience for you and your friends.
• Questions? Email: wambaughs@michigan.gov, Phone: 1-800-992-9012

Summer Reading Book Lists

Are you looking for some reading suggestions to get you through the summer?
Look no further than our summer reading book lists. With a wide variety of
subjects across all reading levels, our book lists have something everyone can
enjoy! Don’t forget to register for the Summer Reading Program to be entered
into our Grand Prize drawings.

Adult

DB 112960 / BR 25376 – I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai.
Mystery, Bestseller, Suspense

DB 103718 / BR 24103 / Spanish DB 104736 – Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. Science Fiction, Space, Bestseller

DB 66376 / BR 21715 – Winter Study (Anna Pigeon series) by Nevada Barr.
Mystery, Bestseller, Michigan Fiction

DB 107949 / BR 24689 – Trust by Hernán Díaz. Historical Fiction

DB 49954 – Winds of Freedom: The Story of the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II by Margaret T. Bixler. History, World War II Non-Fiction

DB 110609 – Jackal by Erin E. Adams. Suspense Fiction, Horror

DB 92246 – Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett. Science Fiction, Fantasy

DB 107997 – The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas. Historical Fiction, Horror

DB 105311 – The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova. Fantasy, Mystery, Suspense

DB 103191 / BR 24059 – People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry. Modern Romance

DB 97441 – The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern. Romance, Fantasy

DB 98794 – Spirit Run: A 6,000-Mile Marathan Through North America’s Stolen Land by Noé Álvarez. Nonfiction Sports, Native American

DB 99679 – A Very Punchable Face: A Memoir by Colin Jost. Autobiography, Entertainer

DB 113710 – The Other Family Doctor: A Veterinarian Explores What Animals Can Teach Us About Love, Life, and Mortality by Karen Fine. Biography, Animals

DB 105816 / BR 24250 – Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang. Autobiography, Bestseller

Young Adult

DB 100993 / BR 23695 – Legendborn by Tracy Deonn. Fantasy Fiction

DB 102762 / BR 24040 – Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley. Mystery,
Suspense

DB 95479 – The Lovely and the Lost by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Adventure
Wilderness, Suspense Fiction

DB 111254 / BR 24855 – The Silence that Binds Us by Joanna Ho. Modern
Fiction

DB 65403 / BR 21549 – The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by
Sherman Alexie. Modern Fiction, School Fiction

DB 104459 – This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron. Fantasy Fiction

DB 110780 – Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen. Historical Fiction, Fantasy

DB 113776 – Promise Boys by Nick Brooks. Mystery, Suspense

DB 115548 – Rima's Rebellion by Margarita Engle. Historical Fiction, Human Relations

DB 105811 – All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman. Fantasy Fiction

DB 109804 – Boys I Know by Anna Gracia. Modern Romance

DB 105729 / BR 23967 – The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera. Science Fiction, Space

DB 115820 / BR 25205 – Inspired to Action: How Young Changemakers Can Shape their Communities and the World by Jean Rawitt. Non-Fiction, Social Issues

DB 106570 / BR 24806 – Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler by Ibi Aanu Zoboi. Biography, Poetry

DB 112376 – A Perfectionist's Guide to not Being Perfect by Bonnie Zucker. Psychology, Self-Help

Middle Grade and Juvenile

DB 92723 / BR 22631 – Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows by Ryan Calejo. Grades 5-8. Family Fiction, Fantasy

DB 99005 / BR 23610 – When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller. Grades 3-6. Newberry Honor, Fantasy

DB 90300 / BR 22192 – Avalanche! by Terry Lynn Johnson. Grades 3-6. Adventure, Wilderness

DB 88222 / BR 22214 – Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly. Grades 3-6. Modern Fiction

DB 104269 – Alone by Megan E. Freeman. Grades 5-8. Adventure

DB 103860 – Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac. Grades 3-6. Family Fiction, Animals

DB 87363 – Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman. Grades 4-7. Mystery, Adventure

DB 112405 – The Year the Maps Changed by Danielle Binks. Grades 4-7. Historical Fiction, Family Fiction

DB 100569 – The Artifact Hunters by Janet Fox. Grades 5-8. Historical Fiction, Time Travel

DB 112312 – The Swifts: a Dictionary of Scoundrels by Beth Lincoln. Grades 5-8. Family Fiction, Adventure

DB 108963 – The Secret Signs of Nature: How to Uncover Hidden Clues in the Sky, Water, Plants, Animals and Weather by Craig Caudill. Grades 2-4. Nature, Science

DB 91083 – Calling All Minds: How to Think and Create Like an Inventor by Temple Grandin. Grades 5-8. Science

DB 103355 / BR 23776 – Ruffing It (Dog Diaries) by James Patterson. Grades 2-4. Humorous Fiction, Animals

DB 98170 / BR 23018 – Saturday by Oge Mora. Preschool – 2. Family Fiction

DB 102072 / BR 21094 – Our Great Big Backyard by Laura Bush and Jenna Bush Hager. Grades K -3. Family Fiction

DB 106734 – ¡Vamos! Let's Cross the Bridge by Raúl the Third. Grades 2-4.
General Interest

DB 90917 – Chester Nez and the Unbreakable Code : a Navajo Code Talker's Story by Joseph Bruchac. Grades 2-4. History, World War II Nonfiction

BR 23751 – The Barnabus Project by Terry, Eric & Devin Fan. Grades K-3. Friendship Fiction

DB 119194 – Word Travelers and the Taj Mahal Mystery by Raj Haldar. Grades 2-4. Friendship Fiction, Adventure

DB 104065 – Earth’s Incredible Oceans by Jess French. Grades 3-6. Animals, Nature

DB 114253 – The Mind-Blowing World of Extraordinary Competitions: Meet the Incredible People Who Will Compete at Anything by Anna Goldfield. Grades 3-6. Hobbies, Sports

DB 109119 – Tales of Ancient Worlds by Stefan Milosavljevich. Grades 4-7. History

DB 113183 / BR 24405 – Knight Owl by Christopher Denise. Preschool – 2. Fantasy Fiction

DBC24419 / BR 23885 – Hugo and the Impossible Thing by Renée Felice Smith and Chris Gabriel. Grades K-3. Friendship Fiction, Animal Fiction

Popular BARD Books

BARD features a “Most popular books” section for both braille and audio books
where it lists the most downloaded books from the past 30 days. In the mobile
App, this option is found on the Get Books tab. On the website, it is on the
BARD main page, second link down. Below are a few options currently featured.
Non-BARD users can still call to request these titles on cartridge through the
mail!

Fiction

DB 118896 – The Women by Kristin Hannah. Historical Fiction

DB 118917 – Crosshairs by James Patterson. Suspense Fiction

DB 119092 – The Ghost Orchid by Jonathan Kellerman. Suspense Fiction

DB 119526 – Robert B. Parker's Fallout by Mike Lupica. Suspense Fiction

DB 119055 – The Second Husband by Kate White. Suspense Fiction

DB 119524 – The Morning Show Murders by Al Roker. Suspense Fiction

DB 119365 – Vanished by Irene Hannon. Religious Fiction, Romance Suspense

DB 119661 – The Teacher by Freida McFadden. Psychological Fiction, Bestsellers

DB 118763 – Upside Down: a novel by Danielle Steel. Romance, Human Relations

DB 119099 – Lone Wolf by Gregg Hurwitz. Spy Stories

DB 118654 – Collateral Damage by Judith A Jance. Suspense Fiction

Non-Fiction

DB 118635 – The Final Witness: a Kennedy Secret Service Agent Breaks his Silence After 60 Years by Paul Landis. U.S. History, Government and Politics

DB 118985 – Angels in the ER: Inspiring True Stories from an Emergency Room Doctor by Robert D. Lesslie. Health and Medicine

DB 119403 – The Polygamist's Daughter: a Memoir by Anna LeBaron. Religion, True Crime

DB 117340 – Turning Points with God: 365 Daily Devotions by David Jeremiah. Religion

DB 115659 – A Gift of Hope: Helping the Homeless by Danielle Steel. Biography of Writers

Around the State

The following programs may be offered only to patrons within the counties served for each library location. To find out if a program is available to you, refer to the library listings on page 14 or call the location in question to verify.

Braille and Talking Books @ Taylor Community Library
12303 Pardee Rd, Taylor, Michigan 48180 • 1- 844-307-1621

• Audio Described Movie Days are back! Pop in the 1st Wednesday of each
  month from 12 - 2 p.m. to watch a new, popular film with the AD narration track added.
• The Brown Bag Talking Book Discussion. Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 12 - 1:30 p.m. The group discusses two audiobooks each month. Please call or check our events calendar for titles.
• Visually Impaired Persons (VIP) Support Group. Meets the 4th Wednesday of each month at 12 - 1 p.m. We meet to discuss important topics and connect over shared concerns, with occasional guest speakers. Anyone is welcome!
• Quarterly Assistive Device Drop-Ins (ADDI). Quarterly meetings the 3rd Thursday of January, April, July, and October. Drop by anytime during 12 - 2 p.m. for assistive technology information or personalized help with popular tech.
• To access BTB events remotely. Call: 267-807-9601, Access Code: 965803, or join online at bit.ly/TCLbtbcall

Great Lakes Talking Books
1615 Presque Isle, Marquette, MI 49855 • 1-800-562-8985

• New Local Book Available. Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Life, Legends, and Landmarks by Sonny Longtine is now available (DBC19559). Learn Michigan history easily through a series of entertaining short stories. You'll get a behind the scenes look at the films "Anatomy of a Murder" and "Knute Rockne: All American." Apart from providing inspiration for films, the UP is the birthplace of products, many of which are still around today, such as Baraga's Pettibone Rail Cranes and Menominee's Lloyd Loom Wicker Furniture. Get ready for stories about UP authors, inventors, scientists, athletes, bridges, lighthouses, churches, theaters, courthouses, the Sault (“Soo”) Locks, midnight capers, murder and mayhem, treasure hunts, and more.

Oakland Talking Book Service @ RHPL
500 Olde Towne Rd, Rochester, MI 48307 • 1-800-774-4542

• Low Vision Expo. Wednesday, September 25 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
  The Oakland Talking Book Service at the Rochester Hills Public Library is partnering with Leader Dogs for the Blind to present a Low Vision Expo at the Leader Dog campus in Rochester Hills. This free event will include four speakers on topics related to low vision. Representatives from a variety of agencies and organizations serving seniors and those with low vision will also be available to provide information for expo attendees. The Leader Dog campus is located at 1039 S. Rochester Rd., Rochester Hills, MI 48307. For more information, call OTBS at 248-650-5681.
• OTBS Book Friends. Mondays at 1 p.m. To join the call, dial 888-916-5522. No pin or password is needed. August 5: First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston (DB118733)
• Phoney Friends Book Club. Wednesdays at 1 p.m. August 21, September
  18, 1 p.m. To join the call, dial (888) 916-5522. No pin or password is needed. August 21: Weyward by Emilia Hart (DB113239).
• Dial-In Discussion Club. This group meets on the third Monday of the month to discuss topics of interest related to low vision and more. Dial 888-916-5522 to join the program. No pin or password is needed. For updated information about monthly topics, call 248-650-7150. This group will not meet in August.
  • September 16, 2024, 1 p.m.: Anne Ridering, Henry Ford Center for
    Vision Rehabilitation and Research

Detroit Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
3666 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48208 • 1-313-481-1702

• Internet and Word Processing Training Using Assistive Technology. Meets Tuesdays, 10 a.m.– 2 p.m.
• Braille Instruction. Meets Tuesdays, 1 - 2:30 p.m
• Descriptive DVD Day. Meets the 1st Wednesday of the month, 12 - 2 p.m.
• Nifty Knitters. Meets 2nd Wednesday of the month, 12 - 2 p.m.
• Book Club. Meets 4th Wednesday of the month, 1 - 2:30 p.m.
• Gardening with the Capuchin Soup Kitchen. Meets Mondays, June 3rd and June 10th from 12 – 1:00 p.m. All are invited, but the first 20 to confirm will be guaranteed plants and pots.
• Cyber Safety, Scams and Best Practices for Protecting Yourself by the DHS/Homeland Security Investigations. Monday, June 17th from 12 – 1 p.m.
• Seasonal Recipes with Lexie. Monday, July 1st from 12 – 1 p.m.
• Pewabic Pottery Tile Making. Monday, July 15th from 12 – 1 p.m. All are invited, but the first 20 to confirm will be guaranteed tiles.
• Bees in the D Life of a Honeybee. Monday, August 19th from 12 – 1:30 p.m.
• Let us bring programming to your assisted living site or adult apartment complex. Ask us about Book Clubs, Book Depositories, and other programming hosted at your site. Contact Mary Howard for more information at 313-481-1704.

Kent District Library Talking Book & Braille Center
814 West River Center Dr NE., Comstock Park, MI 49321 • 1-616-784-2007

• Summer Wonder Program. From June 3 to August 9, earn points by
  completing age-related reading activities. Earn 30 points and receive a prize!
  Stop by any branch to get a paper log to track your progress or track online.
  This program is for all ages. For more information visit kdl.org/summer.

Muskegon Area District Library for the Visually and Physically Disabled
4845 Airline Rd Unit 5, Muskegon MI 49444 • 1-877-569-4801

• Remote Book Club. Join MADL’s virtual book club, On the Same Page.
  We meet every month via Teams and discuss the book of the month. Please
  register at 231-737-6310 for login or call-in information.
• Accessible Dungeons & Dragons. Join DM Greg “Bear” Genson for
  exciting adventures and fantasy thrills while playing Dungeons & Dragons.
  Character sheets and dice will be provided. Materials will be available for
  patrons with disabilities to play. Registration is required and 5 spots of 2
  available. Ages 18+.

Macomb Library for the Blind and Print Disabled @ CMPL
40900 Romeo Plank, Clinton Township, MI 48038 • 1-855-203-5274

• Summer Series Vision Network Group. Please join us for an informal and
  informational series of meetings for people with low vision or who are blind.
  Caregivers are also welcomed. Each meeting will feature a topic of
  interest for people with vision issues. No registration is required. This summer, due to remodeling at the Clinton-Macomb Public Library, we will be meeting inside the Clinton Township Senior Center at 40730 Romeo Plank Road in Room One. Our meetings run from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of June, July and August. Meeting dates and scheduled presenters below:
  • June 11 – Overview of Clinton Township Senior Center by Debbie Travis and Marie Woodcox on Apple Vision Pro
  • June 25 – KaShonia Graham on services offered at the Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind and Visually Impaired
  • July 9 – Cathy McAdam on services offered through the Lions Club
  • July 23 – Leslie Verstraete on SMART Bus transportation services
  • August 13 – Leslie Hoskins on services offered at Leader Dogs
  • August 27 – Marie Woodcox on NaviLens - New Labeling System for

Talking Book Library @ Traverse Area District Library
610 Woodmere Ave, Traverse City, MI 49686 • 1-877-931-8558

• Support Groups. The Traverse City Visually Impaired Persons
  group meets monthly, contact Melinda Hollands at 231-590-0986 or
  mlhollandstc@gmail.com. The Cadillac Area Low Vision group meets on
  the second Tuesday of each month at the Wexford County Council on
  Aging, 10 - 11:00 a.m. Contact Connie Payne at 231-779-0149.
• Book Group. Join us at Tuesdays @ Two book discussion the last
  Tuesday of each month at 2:00 p.m. We meet in the McGuire Community
  Room at Traverse Area District Library, 610 Woodmere Ave. You may go to
  https://events.tadl.org/events/month to see what we will be reading.
• Leelanau Senior Expo. Visit our vendor table on Tuesday June 18 from
  10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Suttons Bay High School.
• Travel Tuesdays at TADL. Join us for 6 weeks of LIVE, interactive,
  online tours. Some of the places we will tour are Johannesburg, South
  Africa, Nicosia, Cyprus, and Melbourne, Australia. https://www.tadl.org/
  TravelTuesdays
• Magnifier Exchange. Do you have a clean, working magnifying device you
  no longer use? We are happy to accept donations to pass along to other
  patrons who can use them, free of charge. Please call 231-932-8558 with
  questions or to coordinate a drop-off.

Michigan Talking Book Libraries

Bureau of Services for Blind Persons, Braille and Talking Book Library 1-800-992-9012
Counties served: Alcona, Allegan, Arenac, Barry, Bay, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Clare, Clinton, Eaton, Emmet, Gladwin, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Iosco, Isabella, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lake, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Mason, Mecosta, Midland, Monroe, Montmorency, Newaygo, Oceana, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Shiawassee, Saint Joseph, Van Buren

Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled @ AADL 1-734-327- 4224 
Counties served: Washtenaw

Great Lakes Talking Books 1-800-562-8985
Counties served: Alger, Alpena, Baraga, Chippewa, Crawford, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon, Schoolcraft

Oakland Talking Book Service @ RHPL  1-800-774- 4542 
Counties served: Oakland

Genesee District Talking Book Center  1- 866-732-1120 
Counties served: Genesee

Kent District Library Talking Book and Braille Center  1-616-784-2007 
Counties served: Ionia, Kent, Montcalm

Traverse Area District Library & Talking Book Library 1- 877-931- 8558 
Counties served: Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, Wexford

Library for Assistive Media and Talking Books (St. Clair County) 1- 800-272-8570 
Counties served: Huron, Saint Clair, Sanilac, Tuscola

Muskegon Area District Library for the Visually and Physically Disabled  1-231-737-6310, 1-877-569-4801 (Ottawa) 
Counties served: Muskegon, Ottawa

Macomb Library for the Blind and Print Disabled @ CMPL 1-586-286-1580 
Counties served: Macomb

Braille and Talking Books @ Taylor Community Library 1-734-287- 4840 
Serving Wayne County

Detroit Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped  1-313- 481-1702 
Serving cities of Detroit and Highland Park

Library of Michigan Foundation

By making a gift to the Library of Michigan Foundation, donors can help the BSBP Braille and Talking Book Library (BTBL) better serve thousands of Michigan residents statewide who are blind or print disabled. Donors may also opt to provide for the Library of Michigan Foundation in their wills. By doing so, donors can make a larger gift than what might be possible during their lifetime and become eligible to receive tax benefits. Please contact Rita LaMoreaux with any questions at 517-974-5523.

Donations can be made online at: https://donate-usa.keela.co/donation-form. Or checks can be made payable to the Library of Michigan Foundation with a note on the memo line “BTBL”, and mailed to the address listed below:

Library of Michigan Foundation
PO Box 11027
Lansing, MI 48901

The Library of Michigan Foundation is a non-profit organization which offers financial support to the BSBP Braille and Talking Book Library (BTBL) program.

If you would like to receive future mailings and information from the Library of Michigan Foundation, please contact the Foundation.

The Braille and Talking Book Library provides library services for individuals unable to use standard print materials. 

You may reach BTBL by:
Phone: 800-992-9012 (toll free)
Fax: 800-726-7323 (toll free)
Email: BTBL@michigan.gov
Web: Michigan.gov/BTBL
BARD: NLSBARD.loc.gov (to download digital books)

The In Focus newsletter is made possible by your generous donations to the Library of Michigan Foundation. The Braille and Talking Book Library is part of the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons.

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