Category Archives: TBP Information

Moving? Take Your Talking Book Service with You!

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So, you’re moving to another state. That is always stressful. There are so many things to think about: packing all of your things, finding a new place to live, MOVING all of your stuff, and then unpacking. It is a BEAR. So don’t let your Talking Book Program service be just one more thing to worry about. We’re here to put your mind at ease.

First, no matter which state you move to, there is a Talking Book Program service. EVERYONE who is eligible for service can obtain service, no matter which state you live in. You can find your new state’s regional Talking Book Program at NLS Find Your Library.

We can transfer your service to whichever state you’re moving to. Once you’ve obtained your new address, give us a call about a week prior to your move at 1-800-252-9605, or send an email to tbp.services@tsl.texas.gov.

If you have a talking book player, let us know, and we’ll alert your new state that you’re bringing one with you. Please send all other materials, magazines, and book cartridges, as well as physical braille materials, back to us here in Texas.

We also realize you may need information about disability resources in your new state. Here are a few ideas for finding them:

First, ask your new Talking Book Program library staff. They may know and even have a list of disability-related organizations. In fact, you can also call us at the Texas library. We have a Disability Information and Referral Center, and our librarian can research agencies in other states.         

2-1-1: Try calling 2-1-1 to locate local information and resources. This is a free information and referral service that is available in every state.

Eldercare Locator: 800-677-1116 (call or chat, Monday – Friday, 8 am – 9 pm, Eastern) Eldercare Locator can provide contacts for state agencies such as Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC’s) and Area Agencies on Aging (AAA’s) which can connect you to more specific resources.

The National Federation for the Blind (NFB) and the American Council for the Blind (ACB) both have links to state affiliates:

American Council of the Blind State Affiliates
National Federation of the Blind State Affiliates

Overseas

Maybe you’re moving abroad, which is very exciting! We STILL have you covered. The NLS Overseas Service assists US citizens who qualify for the service and live outside of the United States. Eligible non-US citizens who are dependents of active-duty military or diplomatic personnel may also apply for service. Just contact them to let them know to which country you’re moving. Here is the contact information for the Overseas Service below:

Overseas Service National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled 1291 Taylor Street, NW Washington, DC 20542

Telephone: 202-707-9261
Toll-free: 800-424-8567
Fax: 202-707-0712

E-mail: nlsoverseas@loc.gov

Remember: We know how difficult moving can be. Let your Talking Book Program make it just a little bit easier for you.

That All May Play: Accessible Games and a Game Bibliography

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The Texas Talking Book Program is excited to announce the launch of its new game collection!

A variety of braille, tactile, and large print games are available for check out to individual patrons and institutions starting in 2024. There are a mix of board and card games that everyone can enjoy.

Games can be checked out for 45 days. To ensure that everyone gets a chance to borrow these games, there are no options to renew your loan. Individuals can check out one game at a time. Institutions can borrow up to five games simultaneously. Even if the game you want is currently loaned to another patron, we can always add it to your request list, so that you’ll be sent it once it is available.

This is a growing collection so check back throughout the year to see what new acquisitions we’ve made.

Perhaps you’d rather just read about games. Here are some books about board games, card games, and strategy games.

Backgammon: Tactile

Fiction

GAMBLER’S ANATOMY by Jonathan Lethem (DB 86013)

Cards (Spades, Poker, Euchre, etc.): Braille and Large Print

Fiction

PLAYING THE CARDS YOU’RE DEALT by Varian Johnson (DB 106454) Grades: 4-7

Nonfiction

HOYLE’S RULES OF GAMES: DESCRIPTIONS OF INDOOR GAMES OF SKILL AND CHANCE, WITH ADVICE ON SKILLFUL PLAY; BASED ON THE FOUNDATIONS LAID DOWN BY EDMOND HOYLE (DB 53859; BR 14229)

Checkers: Tactile

Nonfiction

PLAY WINNING CHECKERS: OFFICIAL AMERICAN MENSA GAME BOOK by Robert Pike (BR 12569)

Chess: Tactile

Fiction

FOCUSED by Alyson Gerber (DB 95432; LB 12619) Grades: 5-8
GRANDMASTER by David Klass (DB 78852) Grades: 6-9
LORDS OF THE WHITE CASTLE by Elizabeth Chadwick (DB 58566)
NERD SERIES
OBSESIÓN ENFERMIZA por Axael Velasquez (en español: DB 113336) para grados: 9-12
NOT AN EASY WIN by Chrystal D. Giles (DB 113356) Grades: 3-6
QUEEN’S GAMBIT by Walter S. Tevis (DBC 17656; en español: DB 105896)

Nonfiction

CHESS IN TEN LESSONS by Larry Evans (LB 02735)
IMMORTAL GAME: A HISTORY OF CHESS, OR HOW 32 CARVED PIECES ON A BOARD ILLUMINATED OUR UNDERSTANDING OF WAR, ART, SCIENCE, AND THE HUMAN BRAIN by David Shenk (DB 101961; BR 17706)
UNDERSTANDING CHESS MOVE BY MOVE by John Nunn (DB 106626)
WINNING CHESS: TACTICS AND STRATEGIES by Ted Nottingham (DB 52571) Grades: 5-8

Monopoly: Braille

Nonfiction

MONOPOLISTS: OBSESSION, FURY, AND THE SCANDAL BEHIND THE WORLD’S FAVORITE BOARD GAME by Mary Pilon (DB 81188)
PASS GO AND COLLECT $200: THE REAL STORY OF HOW MONOPOLY WAS INVENTED by Tanya Lee Stone (DBC 17272) Grades: 2-4

Parcheesi: Tactile

Fiction

FACESPACE by Adrian Chamberlain (DBG 08643) Grades: 5-8

Scrabble: Braille

Fiction

FINGERTIPS OF DUNCAN DORFMAN by Meg Wolitzer (DB 75236) Grades: 5-8
QUEEN OF THE TILES by Alkaf Hanna (DB 111410) Grades: 9-12

Nonfiction

WORD NERD: DISPATCHES FROM THE GAMES, GRAMMAR, AND GEEK UNDERGROUND by John D. Williams, Jr. (DB 82637)