Spring 2025 OTBS Update Oakland Talking Book Service @ Rochester Hills Public Library In this Issue: Upcoming Events, Book Clubs, and Dial in Discussions A new way to listen to BARD New e-Newsletter: Collections Connections Braille Legoš at OTBS 2024 top ten BARD downloads Dial-In Discussions Third Monday of the month at 1 p.m.: February 17, March 17, April 21 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 necessary. For updated information about monthly topics, call 248-650-7150. February 17: Cindy Hollis will discuss Meta Smart Glasses which are an exciting, new, and affordable option for people with low vision. The Rayban frames have AI and other helpful features, the Meta glasses has also recently partnered with Be My Eyes app. March 17: Marc Arneson from Hadley Vision will discuss HadleyŐs new and ongoing services. April 21: Ashley from the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology will discuss their Low Vision Support Groups and answer questions. OTBS Book Discussion Groups Are you looking for an opportunity to discuss great books and network with other Oakland Talking Book Service (OTBS) patrons? Consider joining one of our book discussion groups. If you have questions about our book discussion groups or want to receive one or more books, call 248-650-5681. First Monday of each month at 1 p.m.: February 3, March 3, April 7 To join the call, dial 888-916-5522. No pin or password is needed. February 3: The DivorcŽes by Rowan Beaird (DB 120989) March 3: Frankly In Love by David Yoon (DB 97721) April 7: Wedding People: A Novel by Alison Espach (DB 123160) Third Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m.: February 19, March 19, April 23 To join the call, dial 888-916-5522. No pin or password is needed. February 19: Bite by Bite: Nourishments and Jamborees by Aimee Nezhukumatathil (DB 122288) March 19: Hannah Coulter: A Novel by Wendell Berry (DBC 29445) April 23: Somehow: Thoughts on Love by Anne Lamott (DB 121493) We Have LEGOš Braille Bricks! OTBS now has a few sets of Braille Legoš bricks to try out at the Outreach Reference Desk. Right now they are for in-library use only. Each brick has studs arranged to correspond to numbers and letters in the braille system with the printed version of the symbol or letter situated below the studs. There are also activities to try on the Legoš website. BARD Mobile on Your PC Desktop BARD Express allows you to browse thousands of audiobooks and magazines, download them to your Windows-based computer, and transfer them to an NLS cartridge or USB drive. The latest BARD Express, version 3.0.0.7, includes the BARD Express Player, which allows patrons to choose an audiobook or magazine from their BARD Express bookshelf and listen to it directly on their PC. Top Ten BARD downloads for 2024 1. The Women by Kristin Hannah DB 118896 2. The Exchange: After the Firm by John Grisham DB 116410 3. Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance DB 85796 4. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store: A Novel by James McBride DB 115655 5. Holmes, Marple & Poe by James Patterson DB 118439 6. Crosshairs by James Patterson DB 118917 7. A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci DB 120798 8. The Second Husband by Kate White DB 119055 9. Murder Inn by James Patterson DB 120802 10. Eruption by James Patterson DB 121769 New e-Newsletter: Collections Connections 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) Highlighting books To sign up, send an email to: connections@loc.gov Get OTBS updates by email! If you prefer to receive your newsletter by email and would like to receive periodic updates about OTBS news and programs in your inbox, send an email to otbs@rhpl.org.