Winter 2020 - Volume 55, No. 1
- Highlighting — Census 2020
- Calendar - CTBL will be closed on the following days
- From the Director
- Winter of Reading with DPL
- CTBL Community Reads
- Resource of Interest - Xavier Socity for the Blind
- Bustang - CDOT's Bus Routes Expand
- Wanted — Unused Playback Machines
- Duplication on Demand Service
- NLS BARD Policy
- Tech Talk - AppleVis.com
- Narrator Recommended Audio Book
- Volunteers - Honoring Lives of Service!
- Collection News - Suggestions from New Additions
- Legacy Gifts
- Contributions to the Friends of CTBL
- Amazon Smile
- How to Reach Us
Highlighting — Census 2020 https://2020census.gov
“The U.S. Constitution mandates that a census of the population be conducted every decade. Census statistics are used to determine the number of seats states hold in the U.S. House of Representatives, the district boundaries, and how billions of dollars in federal funds are distributed annually for critical public services like hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and emergency response.”
In April households will receive their invitations to participate in 3 ways — online, phone or mail. There are 7 – 10 questions.
“Federal law protects your census responses. Your answers can only be used to produce statistics and cannot be shared with immigration enforcement agencies.” There is no citizenship question.
Avoid scams — during the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau will never ask for:
- Your Social Security number
- Your bank account or credit card numbers
- Money or donations
- Anything on behalf of a political party
CTBL will be closed on the following days in 2020:
- January 1st
- January 20th
- February 17th
- May 25th
From the Director
As we move into deep winter, more of us are enjoying staying warm with a good book. I hope you delight in the community reads selections we have for you this time. Many of our staff read Redshirts and really relished it, even though they don’t usually read science fiction. I thought it was a fun read too. Our non-fiction choice, Ends of the World, is very interesting and I highly recommend it. Many of us are aware of the dinosaur extinction but not of the ones before that. So do some time travel and learn about ancient creatures or worlds beyond ours. Patrons participating in last year’s Winter of Reading also had a great time. So many choices this winter. Enjoy!
Check out the Friends of CTBL Facebook page or follow on Twitter.
Debbi
@DebbiMacLeod 
Winter of Reading with Denver Public Library
Denver Public Library has again invited CTBL patrons to participate in their winter reading program. Participation can be completed from anywhere in the state. Activities include both reading and experiences. Here are the details:
RULES
- Participants must be age 17+.
- Prizes are limited to one per customer
PRIZES
- Once you’ve completed the activities, send the booklet to CTBL to get your prize.
*Prizes available while supplies last.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
- Get your brochure. Please call CTBL and we will send you one.
- Complete any five activities listed inside. You can localize an activity where appropriate.
- Bring or send your brochure to CTBL by February 28, 2020 to claim your prize.
CTBL Community Reads
Fiction Selection
Redshirts — DB0 74866, PR023452, & BR019600
Author: John Scalzi
Narrator: Jim Zeiger
Length: 9 hours, 25 minutes
** Hugo Award and Locus Award winner
Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the ship Intrepid, flagship of the Universal Union since the year 2456. It’s a prestige posting and life couldn’t be better... until Andrew begins to pick up on the facts that every away mission involves some kind of lethal confrontation with alien forces; the ship’s captain, its chief science officer, and the handsome lieutenant always survive these confrontations; and at least one low-ranked crew member is sadly, always killed.
Andrew stumbles on information that completely transforms his and his colleagues’ understanding of what the starship Intrepid really is, and offers them a crazy, high-risk chance to save their own lives.
Non-Fiction Selection
The Ends of the World: Volcanic Apocalypses, Lethal Oceans, and Our Quest to Understand Earth’s Past Mass Extinctions — DB087988
Author: Peter Brannen
Narrator: J. P. Linton
Length: 14 hours, 59 minutes
** NYT Editor’s Choice 2017
Our world has ended five times: it has been broiled, frozen, poison-gassed, smothered, and pelted by asteroids. Award-winning science journalist, Peter Brannen, dives deep into time to explore the Earth’s past dead ends.
Many scientists now believe that the climate shifts of the twenty-first century have analogs in these five extinctions. Using the visible clues these devastations have left behind in the fossil record, Brannen takes us inside the “scenes of the crime,” from South Africa to the New York Palisades, to tell the story of each extinction. Linking the past to the present, he makes predictions for the future.
Resource of Interest — Xavier Society for the Blind
The Xavier Society provides religious, spiritual, and inspirational reading materials in braille and audio to blind and visually impaired individuals worldwide. We are able to provide these materials free of charge. We support this community of faithful in understanding, developing and practicing their Faith. For more information call 800-637-9193 or https://xaviersocietyfortheblind.org
Bustang — CDOT’s Bus Routes Expand
You can now go from Denver to Grand Junction and then to Durango; from Denver to Fort Collins or Pueblo; and Lamar to Pueblo and Pueblo to Gunnison or down to Alamosa. It’s worth checking out.
Bus amenities include: WiFi, usb/power outlets, accessibility, restrooms, luggage bays and bike racks.
Schedules, routes, maps and fares can be found here: https://ridebustang.com/ or call 800-900-3011
They have an app for iOS and Android and a Twitter account let’s you track buses @ridebustang
Wanted — Unused playback machines
If you have a player that you are not using, please send it back to the library so we can pass it on to another patron. Call the library if you need a post-paid mailing label.
Duplication on Demand Service
CTBL was selected by the National Library service (NLS) to conduct a beta test with the new duplication on demand (DoD) system designed by NLS. At the beginning of October, CTBL began a pilot with patrons to test this new service model. We hit a few snags, which is expected in a beta test, but things have gone well. Thanks to all our pilot participants.
At the beginning of November, we started the conversion process to switch all of our patrons over to the new service model. As you read this newsletter, the conversion process is complete and all patrons are on DoD.
DoD is a more efficient service model as we make individual cartridges for a patron based on their requests, subject and/or author preferences. With this model we access our entire collection. No more wait lists or making special copies of an older book with no physical copies.
Our default for this service is 10 books on a cartridge with 3 cartridges in circulation for each patron. This number is customizable. We can put anywhere from 1 – 20 books on a cartridge and adjust the number of cartridges in circulation of up to 5. We can also work with you to modify your preferences to make sure you are getting the type of books you like.
We urge you to please call a reader advisor if you need to make any adjustments to your DoD service at 1-800-685-2136 or 303-727-9277.
NLS BARD POLICY
The National Library Service (NLS) has made changes in the way they manage BARD accounts. They now review accounts on a rolling 6 months. This change was made to enhance security for the BARD web site. If you get a notice that your account has been suspended, call or email a reader advisor to get your account reactivated. The reactivation process will require your password on your BARD account to be reset. To avoid this, be sure to log into your BARD account once every 6 months.
Tech Talk — AppleVis.com
AppleVis is a community-powered website for blind and low-vision users of Apple’s range of products: Mac computers, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, and Apple Watch.
AppleVis strives to empower the community by offering multiple ways to access and share relevant and useful information. The community seeks to encourage and support people in exploring the ways Apple products and applications offer opportunities to the vision-impaired for personal enrichment, independence, and empowerment.
Visit their website for more information: https://applevis.com/
Apple also offers a National Accessibility Hotline users can call to get assistance with their products at 1-877-204-3930.
Narrator Recommended Audio Book - Colorado Collection
Expedition to the Southwest: An 1845 Reconnaissance of Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma
Author: J.W. (James William) Abert
Narrator: Andrea Loughry
Lieutenant James William Abert of the US Army Topographical Engineers received orders in 1845 to explore present-day Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma. Although the land was in Mexican territory, Abert set out from Bent’s Fort, CO to conduct a detailed reconnaissance. His journal provided graphic descriptions of the birds, plants, and animals. His firsthand account of the Kiowas and Comanches contains valuable information not previously available. This edition published in 1999. Adult Non-Fiction. DBC03162
Andrea Loughry, the narrator for this book, said it was the best book she’s ever narrated, calling it a “gem.” She found Abert’s writing “funny and charming” and his account of the expedition “delightful.” High praise, indeed.
Volunteers — Honoring Lives of Service!
“Real success means creating a life of meaning through service that fulfills your reason for being here.”
― Oprah Winfrey
The Friends of CTBL hosted the annual Volunteer Appreciation brunch on December 7th to honor and thank our volunteers who inspire us by their service.
Each volunteer was honored with a certificate of achievement and gift card to thank them for their service. Special recognition was given for 25 years, 30 years, and the very rare Lifetime of Service award.
5-Year Award
- Karen Cranford
- Diane Donovan
- Tisha Doppler
- Doris Ervin
- John Fahlstrom
- Marilyn Hamblin
- Mark Hintz
- Carol Irwin
- Pamela Johnsen
- Judith Knapp
- Daniel Sweeney
- Vera Thompson
- Donna Ulrey
- Jon Walker
10-Year Award
- Melvin Belt
- Stephanie Briggs
- Andrea Loughry
- Miranda Loughry
- Steve Williamson
25-Year Award — Laverne Rios
We honored Laverne Rios for 25 years as a CTBL narrator. She is known for how she enlivens her narrations with her pleasant voice and skillful handling of difficult material. She is always one of our go-to talents in the studio. Thanks, Laverne, for making our Tuesday afternoon coffee break the highlight of our week!
30-Year Award — Steve Austin 
Steve was honored for his 30 years as a leader within the Telephone Pioneers talking book machine repair program. NLS also honored Steve for sharing his technical knowledge throughout the network in the “Flash” newsletter, which he co-wrote and edited. He continues to volunteer every week with a team of volunteers who respect him for his 94 years of living a life of service. Thank you, Steve.
Lifetime Award — George Fisher
Many of you may know George Fisher, who worked with the Telephone Pioneers for over 25 years. We presented him with an award for his lifetime of service and commitment to the Talking Book Library and Telephone Pioneers. He was the first to learn and then teach how to repair the new digital player. George is proud of all he has accomplished in his 96 years.
Thank you to each of you for your example of service to the patrons of CTBL.
Collection News — Suggestions from New Additions
New DVDs with Descriptive Video
These videos have audio descriptions embedded in each disc. You can turn on this feature by following the directions starting at the disc’s main menu. Additional titles are available, please contact the library for more information.
Feature Films — DVD’s
- MD00397 — A Dog’s Journey (PG)
- MD00384 — A Simple Favor (R)
- MD00390 — Aloha (PG-13)
- MD00365 — Arctic (PG-13)
- MD00400 — Avengers: Endgame (PG-13)
- MD00407 — Booksmart (R)
- MD00388 — Brave (PG)
- MD00399 — Captain Marvel (pg-13)
- MD00368 — Cars 2 (G)
- MD00378 — Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (PG-13)
- MD00402 — Dumbo (PG)
- MD00391 — Escape Room (PG-13)
- MD00383 — Fast & Furious 6. Fast and Furious; #6 (PG-13)
- MD00396 — Finding Nemo (PG)
- MD00394 — Get Out (R)
- MD00366 — Happy Death Day 2U (PG-13)
- MD00372 — Isn’t it Romantic (PG-13)
- MD00376 — Jackie (R)
- MD00369 — Kingsman: The Secret Service. Kingsman; #1 (R)
- MD00405 — Men in Black: International (PG-13)
- MD00379 — Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (PG-13)
- MD00389 — Passengers (PG-13)
- MD00408 — Pavarotti (PG-13)
- MD00406 — Poms (PG-13)
- MD00370 — Rise of the Planet of the Apes (PG-13)
- MD00404 — The Secret Life of Pets 2 (PG)
- MD00377 — Table 19 (PG-13)
- MD00375 — The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (PG-13)
- MD00392 — The Girl on the Train (R)
- MD00395 — The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (R)
- MD00374 — The Help (PG-13)
- MD00371 — The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part (PG)
- MD00382 — Transformers: Dark of the Moon #3 (PG-13)
- MD00403 — Toy Story 4 (G)
- MD00380 — What Men Want (R)
- MD00387 — Wreck-It Ralph. Wreck-It Ralph; #1 (PG)
- MD00401 — X-Men: Dark Phoenix (PG-13)
- MD00398 — Yesterday (PG-13)
New Large Print Titles
Bestseller Fiction
- PR029611 — The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
- PR029404 — The Guest Book by Sarah Blake
- PR029400 — The Oracle: Fargo Adventures #11 by Clive Cussler
- PR029464 — Lost and Found by Danielle Steel
- PR029593 — Women Talking by Miriam Toews
- PR029516 — Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner
- PR029517 — The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
Bestseller Non-Fiction
- PR029477 — Finding My Voice by Valerie Jarrett
- PR029486 — The Matriarch: Barbara Bush by Susan Page
- PR029526 — Nanaville: Adventures in Grandparenting by Anna Quindlen
- PR029533 — Save Me the Plums: My Gourmet Memoir by Ruth Reichl
- PR029487 — First: Sandra Day O’Connor by Evan Thomas
- PR029489 — Mama’s Last Hug: Animal Emotions and What They Tell Us About Ourselves by Frans de Waal
Fiction
- PR029542 — Professor Chandra Follows His Bliss by Rajeev Balasubramanyam
- PR029503 — The Weight of a Piano by Chris Cander
- PR029566 — The Saturday Evening Girls Club by Jane Healey
- PR029576 — Flight or Fright: 17 Turbulent Tales by Stephen King
- PR029469 — Lost Children Archive: A Novel by Valeria Luiselli
Science Fiction
- PR029547 — Dark Age: Red Rising #5 by Pierce Brown
- PR029627 — The Space Between the Stars by Anne Corlett
- PR029555 — Recursion by Blake Crouch
- PR029415 — If, Then by Kate Hope Day
Cozy Mystery
- PR029612 — Murder in the Reading Room: Book Retreat Mystery #5 by Ellery Adams
- PR029402 — A Plain Vanilla Murder: China Bayles #27 by Susan Wittig Albert
- PR029617 — Love and Death Among the Cheetahs: Royal Spyness #13 by Rhys Bowen
- PR029558 — Knit One, Die Two: Knit & Nibble Mystery #3 by Peggy Ehrhart
Domestic & Family Fiction
- PR029646 — The Cactus by Sarah Haywood
- PR029649 — Life and Other Inconveniences by Kristan Higgins
- PR029449 — The Peacock Emporium by Jojo Moyes
- PR029381 — The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick
- PR029455 — Please Don’t Feed the Mayor by Sue Pethick
- PR029591 — The Little Teashop on Main by Jodi Thomas
Non-Fiction
- PR027346 — The Second Mountain by David Brooks
- PR029474 — One Giant Leap by Charles Fishman
- PR029522 — I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening): A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversations by Sarah Stewart Holland
- PR027338 — Becoming Dr. Seuss by Brian Jay Jones
- PR027347 — From Scratch by Tembi Locke
- PR029479 — The Pioneers by David G. McCullough
- PR029530 — Holy Envy by Barbara Brown Taylor
- PR029532 — On Democracy by E. B. White
Romance & Love Stories
- PR029610 — The Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Colgan
- PR029413 — The Lost Letters of William Woolf by Helen Cullen
- PR029567 — The Forever Christmas Tree: Bell Sound Series #1 by Sandra Hill
- PR029377 — Marrying My Cowboy by Diana Palmer
- PR029598 — Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey
- PR029601 — Lies Jane Austen Told Me: Proper Romance Series by Julie Wright
Romantic Suspense
- PR028918 — Impostor’s Lure: Sharpe & Donovan #8 by Carla Neggers
- PR028843 — Pale as Death: Krewe of Hunters #25 by Heather Graham
- PR028823 — Say You’re Sorry: Morgan Dane #1 by Melinda Leigh
- PR028733 — Shelter in Place by Nora Roberts
- PR028910 — Wind River Rancher: Wind River Valley #2 by Lindsay McKenna
Westerns
- PR029406 — The Fall of Abilene by Johnny D. Boggs
- PR029545 — Bear Haskell, U.S. Deputy Marshal by Peter Brandvold
- PR029587 — Only the Stubborn Survive by R. W. Stone
- PR029600 — The Cattle Drive by Ethan J. Wolfe
- PR029603 — Hard Ride Across Texas by Michael Zimmer
Young Adult
- PR027333 — Landscape with Invisible Hand by M. T. Anderson
- PR027343 — Lovely War by Julie Berry
- PR027345 — 29 Dates by Melissa de la Cruz
- PR029451 — Dumplin’ The Dumplin’ Series #1 by Julie Murphy
Want more large print? Call the library for a list of addition new titles
From the Colorado Collection — Audio Books:
52 Rivers:A Woman’s Fly-Fishing Journey
Author: Shelley Walchak
Narrator: Doris Ervin
The author, a librarian by profession, gave up her job to fly fish a river a week for a year. She outfitted a camper, purchased camera equipment and a computer, and hit the road — 7 Rocky Mountain States and 52 rivers. 2014. Adult Non-Fiction. DBC12937
Viper Pilot: A Memoir of Air Combat
Author: Dan Hampton
Narrator: Lee Foreman
A firsthand account of the closed world of fighter pilots and modern air combat. Over a period of twenty years, Lieutenant Colonel Dan Hampton logged 608 combat hours in the world’s most iconic fighter jet — the F-16 — as a leading member of the Wild Weasels Strong language. 2012. Adult Non-Fiction. DBC03154
Who’s Who in the Bible: An Illustrated Biographical Dictionary
Author: Dietrich Gruen
Narrator: Dee Miller
This comprehensive alphabetical listing includes every individual mentioned in the Bible. Each entry provides fundamental information, including the pronunciation and meaning of the person's name, an approximate date when possible, Scripture references, and an account of the person’s religious and historical significance. 1998. Adult Non-Fiction. DBC12901
A Sacrifice of Buntings. Birdwatcher’s Mystery; #7
Author: Christine Goff
Narrator: Sheila Halstead
Rachel Wilder’s world takes a whirlwind turn when renowned bird researcher Guy Saxby falls in love with her friend. When Guy’s protégé is mysteriously murdered, Guy is the chief suspect. Rachel discovers the victim’s innovative exposé on the Painted Bunting, upstaging his own mentor’s research. 2014. Adult Fiction. DBC03257
The FBI Wife: A Memoir
Author: Sandra Windsor
Narrator: Judith Knapp
The author, a 1960’s FBI wife, is an observer and a participant, as she takes assignments across country. She makes an emotional journey knowing she is giving up more and more of herself. Ultimately, she must find that person lurking within, separate from her identity as an FBI wife. Some strong language. 2016. Adult Non-Fiction. DBC12922
Paradigms Lost: The Life and Deaths of the Printed Word
Author: William J. Sonn
Narrator: Andrea Loughry
The author traces the history of the inventions and forces that shaped information processes in the past and provides background for what the future may hold. Four times in history, in the 1400s, the early 1800s, the 1880s, and the mid-twentieth century, methods were devised to inexpensively duplicate and disseminate the printed word. 2006. Adult Non-Fiction. DBC12923
Dead Stop. Sydney Rose Parnell Mystery #2
Author: Barbara Nickless
Narrator: Margo Goodwin
When a woman is murdered on the train tracks and a child goes missing, Special Agent Sydney Parnell and her K9 partner, Clyde, must wade through a murky trail of murder to rescue a child and catch a killer. Strong language and violence. 2017. Adult Fiction. DBC13003
Through the Woods: A Journey Through America’s Forests
Author: Gary Ferguson
Narrator: Moni Monismith
The author describes his journey through the rich beauty of America’s forests and shares interviews with people whose lives are intertwined with America’s woodlands. Includes a new introduction by the author. Some strong language. 2015. Adult Non-Fiction. DBC13002
The Long Weekend: Life in the English Country House, 1918–1939
Author: Adrian Tinniswood
Narrator: Cathy Gloeckner
A history of English country houses and high society during the years between the World Wars. Drawing on thousands of memoirs, letters, and diaries, as well as eye-witness testimonies, Tinniswood offers a glimpse behind the veil of these great estates during a period of extraordinary societal change. 2016. Adult Non-Fiction. DBC13009
American Eclipse: A Nation’s Epic Race to Catch the Shadow of the Moon and Win the Glory of the World
Author: David Baron
Narrator: Bob Serkowski
On a July afternoon in 1878, the moon’s shadow descended on the American West, darkening skies from Montana to Texas. This rare celestial event, a total solar eclipse, offered an opportunity to solve some of the solar system’s most enduring riddles, and it prompted scientists to brave the wild frontier to the Rocky Mountains. Some violence. 2017. Adult Non-Fiction. DBC13007
An Owl On Every Post
Author: Sanora Babb
Narrator: Norine Domenico
The author was seven when her parents began to homestead an isolated 320-acre farm on the Eastern Plains of Colorado. She experienced pioneer life in a one-room dugout, eye-level with the land where her family fought for their lives against drought, crop-failure, starvation, and loneliness. Some strong language. 1970. Adult Non-Fiction. DBC13022
Legacy Gifts
Legacy gifts to the Friends of CTBL are a vital way to ensure ongoing support for all the services the library provides to patrons. The Friends have established Eyes to the Future that honors and recognizes the generosity and vision of patrons, families and friends who have chosen to leave a legacy through their estates or other deferred gifts.
We invite you to become a member of Eyes to the Future. Enrollment in this honorary group is simply a matter of advising us about your plans to make a legacy gift, such as a bequest in a will or living trust, or designating The Friends of CTBL as beneficiary of an individual retirement plan, 401k or life insurance policy. The Friends of CTBL is a public 501 c 3 charity and the tax ID is 23-7243950.
Contributions to The Friends of the Colorado Talking Book Library and The Colorado Talking Book Library
An additional way to contribute to either the Friends or to CTBL is through a charitable bequest as part of a will or through life insurance. You do not have to rewrite your current document but can add a written amendment called a codicil. Such a bequest only becomes irrevocable at your death. Giving to the library helps support the programs and service we provide to our patrons and helps to secure the future.
AmazonSmile
The AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to charitable organizations. If you make purchases through Amazon, try AmazonSmile and designate The Friends of CTBL as a recipient of charitable donations. Several patrons have already done this. Thanks!
How to Reach Us:
Colorado Talking Book Library
180 Sheridan Blvd.
Denver, CO 80226
303-727-9277—metro Denver
1-800-685-2136—outside Denver
www.myctbl.org
- Katy Anthes, Commissioner of Education
- Nicolle Davies, State Librarian
- Debbi MacLeod, Director, CTBL
Social Media:
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The Colorado Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or age, in access to, employment in, or provision of any of CDE’s programs, benefits, or activities.
This newsletter was published with funding from the Friends of CTBL.
