NewsLion Spring 2024

The Newsletter of the Andrew Heiskell Library for April - June 2024

News:

More Braille Study Books now in!

Anyone with a New York Public Library card can borrow books to learn braille, such as the McDuffy Braille Reader, The Illinois Braille Series books 1 and 2, and Just Enough to Know Better.

 

Community Advisory Council

Tuesday March 26, 5:30 - 7:00 PM, Virtual

The Community Advisory Council of the Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library would love to hear from YOU - our patrons! This group meets to discuss issues, make suggestions on the library’s direction, hear news first, and meet staff.  All ideas and opinions are welcome.
March’s guest speaker will be Mia Bruner, Outreach and Instruction Librarian at the NYPL’s Stephen A Schwarzman 42nd Street Library. Mia will be discussing the rich history of NYPL, the Rare Book and Research collections, as well as exhibits and accessible opportunities at the NYPL’s flagship location.

Additional Community Advisory Council meetings will be held on Tuesday June 4, September 24, and December 10.

 

Events Calendar:

 

Playwriting Workshop Series!

Saturdays 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

March 16, 23, 30; April 6, 13, 20, 27;

May 4

Explore your artistic potential with Creative Aging, a series of art workshops for adults 50 and older. This program will be held in person at Andrew Heiskell Library. Join us for Playwriting 101! Teaching artist Nefeli Soteriou will guide participants through the art of writing over 8 sessions. This course is focused on learning the fundamentals of the craft of Playwriting structure, plotting and  character development.

 

Vinyl Record Club

Saturdays, March 30th , April 27th , May 18th

1:30 - 3 PM

Join staff for the new Vinyl Record Club!

 Share your love of vinyl records with fellow collectors and enthusiasts! We will chat about our favorite albums, care and maintenance of our collections, our most treasured record stores, and the ones that got away.  Bring in an album or two to spin a few tracks for the group, and chat about them. No Registration Required

 

Ukulele Club

Saturdays, April 13, May 4, June 1, and June 22, 1:30 to 3 PM

Want to learn how to play the ukulele? Already play and want a group to jam with? Join library staff to learn chords, songs, and techniques, or teach others what you already know! Ukuleles and felt picks provided, or bring your own instrument. All skill levels are welcome. No registration required. 

 

Tactile Coloring Workshop

First Saturday of the Month - April 6, May 4, June 1, 2024

 

Andrew Heiskell is hosting another Tactile Coloring Book Workshop on Saturday April 6 2024 at 1 PM. This in person event is monthly, to celebrate Spring. At the end of the workshop, you will have a tangible cover and have your very own tactile coloring book. All supplies

and music will be provided. 

Registration Required - email bakshaali@nypl.org to register, Open to Adults 18

 

Spring Tactile Arts - Hand Embroidery!

Tuesdays: April 30th, May 7th, May 14th, May 21st, May 28th, June 4th - 5:30-6:45 PM

Join resident artist Sugandha Gupta for Hand Embroidery this Spring! This workshop series aims to provide all learners with and without disabilities with a foundation of embroidery and creative ways using different stitches. We will learn 1-2 new stitches each week and create a fun, experimental swatch applying the stitch learned in class. We will also explore different surfaces or fabrics that can be experimented with to yield a different result. All supplies will be provided at the library.
Call or visit talkingbooks.nypl.org to register

 

Online Meditation Workshop

Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at 2 PM

 

Looking to truly relax this Spring? Then, consider joining the Online Meditation Workshop. No experience is needed, just a curious mind. This event will be held by Bruce  Faithwick, who has been meditating for over 40 years and  focuses much of his time on helping others learn how meditation can have profound positive effects in one's life. This event will be held on Wednesday June 26, 2024 at 2 PM.

Call 212-206-5400 or email talkingbooks@nypl.org to register

 

High Line Tour

This year’s field trip to the High Line will be on Wednesday, May 29 at 10:30 am. We meet-up on the High Line Spur at 30th street and 10th Ave. for a topic-based seated version of the High Line walking tour. Share your knowledge and learn something new! Taylor Zakarin, Associate Curator of High Line Art, and Constanza Valenzuela, Assistant Curator, will discuss the current High Line Art artworks on view. In addition to a preview of the upcoming High Line Art 2024 season. The talk will be followed by an optional 15-minute park walk. For questions please email johnfahs@nypl.org.

 

Banned Books Club!

First Saturday of every month, 10:30 AM 

Join our brand new book club, focused on showcasing and highlighting titles that have been contested, censored, or banned in the United States and abroad. Call or email ashleydalle@nypl.org to request a cartridge with these titles.

Upcoming Titles: 

Saturday, April 6th - Bronzeville Boys and Girls, by Gwendolyn Brooks DB063916, Imagine the Angels of Bread, by Martin Espada DB046133

WITH SPECIAL GUEST: MARTIN ESPADA!

 

Saturday, May 4th - The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie DB029207

 

Saturday, June 1st - Howl by Allen Ginsberg DBC16640

 

Google Meet Link:

meet.google.com/wrd-pqgc-jjd

Join by phone

‪(US) +1 262-671-8033‬ PIN: ‪688 338 321‬#

 

Online Book Discussion Group

Our book club hosts engaging and thought-provoking discussions about member-selected books. Meets virtually on the second Saturday of every other month from 10:30 to 11:30 AM. Please call or email in advance to receive a cartridge with upcoming books, a meeting link and/or a dial in number: johnfahs@nypl.org

 

Upcoming titles:

• April 13: Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus DB 107538
• June 8: A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline DB 87630

 

Open Book Hour

On the Third Tuesday of the Month From 4:00 - 5:00 PM: April 16, May 21, June 18, 2024

Reading something amazing you can’t wait to tell people about? Join us for our virtual Open Book Hour, where we talk about the books we’ve been reading and get recommendations from fellow book lovers!

Meeting ID: meet.google.com/irm-jfpt-uyw

Phone Numbers:  (‪US‬)‪+1 402-534-0283‬ PIN: ‪623 161 972#‬

 

Online Wellness Book Group

 

Andrew Heiskell will be hosting a new online book group called Online Wellness Reading Group. This program will be held on the first Friday of each month at 12 Noon. If interested, please call 212-206-5400 or email talkingbooks@nypl.org

 

Friday, April 5th - Possessing the Secret Of Joy, by Alice Walker, DB036174

 

Crossword Club

Wednesdays, 10:00 AM

Are you a crossword puzzle enthusiast? Join staff from the Andrew Heiskell Library for our virtual Crossword Club and help solve a puzzle as a group! Please call or register in advance to receive a meeting link or dial in number. Meets virtually every Wednesday. Google Meet link: meet.google.com/oyb-faxb-xdd

Dial - in: 513-480-5181‬ PIN: ‪792 497 986#‬

 

Braille Study Group – Remote or In Person 

Saturdays, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM on Zoom. (10:30 AM - 12:30 PM in person at the Library)

Tuesdays 7:00 PM- 8:30 PM on Zoom

We welcome learners at all levels! Bring your questions, get support for your learning

goals and find out how to learn Braille for free from home. To register, please email ChanceyFleet@nypl.org or call (212) 206-5400, extension 3. 

 

News from The Tech Team:

 

Accessibility 

Our team is committed to equity of access for everyone. For all group workshops, you may

join using Zoom via computer, smartphone or tablet, or you can dial in by phone. One-to-one coaching is available in person, by phone, Zoom or Google Meet: your choice. Our group workshops always feature auto-captions, but if you need an interpreter or captions to participate in coaching or workshops, please email chanceyfleet@nypl.org at least two weeks before the event and we will arrange access. 

 

One-to-One Coaching

We are here to help you achieve your tech goal! Are you learning the iPhone, improving your

typing, or exploring the web with a screen reader? We will be happy to match you with a tech coach to work on achieving that goal. 

 

Read Wherever You Are 

Our BARD collection offers instant access to all of our Braille and talking books using a computer, smartphone, tablet or accessible device. Our members also have free access to Bookshare, a library of over a million titles which you can read on the web or your smartphone or tablet using magnification, text-to-speech or Braille. Need the daily paper? NFB-Newsline is also free and brings you access

to local and national publications from your computer, smartphone, tablet or even a land-line phone. To get started, just call or email our tech team. 

 

Tech and Culture Workshops: 

 

Join our vibrant community for free, interactive remote workshops covering tech topics for beginners and seasoned users, book discussions, a Braille study group and more. Below, you’ll find our offerings for the fall: just use the link within each listing to register. To receive a reminder about each upcoming

workshop or find out about additional pop-up offerings, email heiskelltech+subscribe@googlegroups.com or contact our tech team to join our announcement list. Email chanceyfleet@nypl.org if you need help or would like to suggest an additional workshop.

 

Tactile Art Teach-in

Friday May 31 and Saturday June 1, 10 AM - 4:45 PM

Join us to learn the fundamentals of nonvisual drawing using affordable tools. We’ll cover concepts like line quality, overlapping figures, perspective, negative space, and abstraction. No prior experience is necessary. To register, please email chanceyfleet@nypl.org or call (212) 206-5400, extension 3. 

Exploring NVDA: A Twelve-Week Workshop

Wednesdays April 3 through June 19, 5 - 7 PM Eastern 

If you already know how to type but need experience with the free NVDA screen reader for Windows, this workshop is for you. We’ll go over setting up and customizing NVDA, accessing help and documentation, working with the operating system, editing text, managing files, going online and more. Please plan to attend all sessions if possible. 

This workshop will take place online.

https://nypl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUrcuuqqz4sHN3gUt8vYNngAOIgwHUyIrJf

 

Voiceover for Mac -a Twelve-week Workshop

Wednesdays April 3 - June 19, 2:00 - 4:00 PM Eastern

If you already know how to type but need experience with the Voiceover screen reader for Mac, this workshop is for you. We’ll go over setting up and customizing Voiceover, accessing help and documentation, working with the operating system, editing text, managing files, going online and more. Please plan to attend all sessions if possible. 

This workshop will take place online.

https://nypl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpf-yrqj0tEtZlIeeuEtSRxmAl1YNzS0hZ

 

Voiceover for Mac Discussion Group

Saturdays April 27, May 18, and June 29, 2 - 3:30 PM Eastern

This informal group meets monthly to tackle questions about using Voiceover for Mac. 

This workshop will take place online.

https://nypl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpd-qspz8qH9TPI2LGYxFM34_dknY-pxGM

 

Nonvisual Drawing Workshop

Saturdays, April 13th, May 11th, June 8th 2-4  (April and June in person, May remote)

For the in person workshops, please rsvp to chanceyfleet@nypl.org

For the Online workshop, click the link below.

https://nypl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpduyrrTstE9Syiis8tUl-V6n4kh3JoyOS

 

Tools and Techniques for Accessible Cooking

Thursday April 11, 5 - 6:30 PM Eastern

Join us to explore tech tools for cooking with accessibility in mind, including recipe sites, timers, talking scales and thermometers, and more. 

This workshop will take place online.

https://nypl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZApd-morDIiHNOC6PUn0sDteX2-9K3ASU9_

 

Intro to Microsoft Excel with Accessibility in Mind

Tuesday April 16, 1:30 - 3:00 PM Eastern

Learn how to enter, edit, explore and sort data, use simple formulas and find documentation, using your screen reader of choice.

This workshop will take place online.

https://nypl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcqcuysqD8tHNKXD-xPRola5C03VsX-gO5M

 

Creating and Formatting Accessible Documents with Google Docs

Thursday May 2, 5 5:00 - 7:00 PM Eastern

Learn to create documents that incorporate headings, links, readable fonts and colors, lists, tables, and graphics. Then, learn how to publish your document to the web so that anyone with a browser can read it.

This workshop will take place online.

https://nypl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMlcOqhrDMqH9YaoYEO9c5nBI0ETEieTjhI

 

Creating Graphics with SVG

Thursday May 9, 7:00 - 9:00 PM Eastern 

SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) is a coding language you can use to create lines, shapes, and textures using a text editor. SVG is one of the most accessible ways for blind people to create original graphics.

This workshop will take place online.

https://nypl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUlc-yoqD0uH9zK_eJTn8Z1ExHbudsXdxlm

 

Building a Tactile Graphics Collection: Finding, testing, and filing images you can reproduce tactilely

Thursday June 20, 7:00 - 8:30 PM Eastern

In this workshop we will discuss places where you can find suitable images, how to look for them with key words and phrases, and techniques for filing your images so you can find them more easily when it’s time to produce them on paper. We will discuss methods for producing tactile images including strengths of each. This workshop will take place online.

This workshop will take place online.

https://nypl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvf-yprD8vHNCZpPrz2gHEB4_PNygRj-MV

 

Youth Calendar:

 

Family Storytime

Alternating Mondays at 3:30 PM 

Children ages birth to 5 years old can develop early literacy skills with their parents/caregivers through action songs, reading of picture books, and related activities.  Space is limited to 30 children. Tickets are distributed 15 minutes before the program. Storytime will begin early if capacity is reached before 3:30 PM. Please check talkingbooks.nypl.org for modifications to the schedule. 

 

Lapsit Storytime

Wednesdays at 10:15 AM 

For children who are pre-walkers or crawlers. Join us for a special time to bond with your little one and meet other caregivers. We will explore the joys of movement, books, and songs, in addition to building early learning skills you can practice at home. Come prepared to sit with your child on your lap. Space is limited to 10 babies. Tickets are distributed 15 minutes before the program.  Storytime will begin early if capacity is reached before 10:15 AM. Please check talkingbooks.nypl.org for modifications to the schedule. 

 

Little Movers Storytime

Little Movers Storytime will return later this spring. Stay tuned for an announcement! 

New Titles from The Andrew Heiskell Library’s Recording Studio:

• House of Cards, by Michael Dobbs, DBC 27098 (Fiction, Adult) The classic political thriller: Francis Urquhart has his hand on every secret in politics and is willing to betray them all to become prime minister. Mattie Storin is a tenacious young reporter who has a knack for finding the real stories hidden behind the spin. When she stumbles upon a scandalous web of financial corruption at the highest levels, she vows to reveal the truth. But to do so, she must battle her own demons and risk everything, even her life.

 

• On Fire Island, by Jane L Rosen, DBC 27017 (Fiction, Adult) A novel of poignant comedy and insight. Following her sudden death at 37, Julia spends her summer at her favorite place, Fire Island. The love her life, Ben, is reeling from the loss. In an attempt to get away, he escapes Shiva, and runs away to their beach home on Fire Island. Unfortunately he isn't alone for long.

 

• Ambrose Bierce and the Queen of Spades, by Oakley Hall, DBC 08625 (Fiction, Adult) A portrait of writer Ambrose Bierce and a glimpse of life in 1880s San Francisco mark a mystery in which newspaperman Tom Redmond investigates a series of murders of women, leading him to conspiracies involving the railroads and state politics.

 

• Damon Runyon: A Life, by Jimmy Breslin, DBC 16705 (Fiction, Adult) Immortalizes Damon Runyon in a biography of the Roaring Twenties journalist who covered the Mexican Revolution, World War I, the Lindbergh kidnapping, sports and theater.

 

• Goddesses, Whores, Wives, and Slaves: Women in Classical Antiquity, by Sarah B Pomeroy, DBC 27076 (Non-fiction, Adult) The first general treatment of women in the ancient world to reflect the critical insights of modern feminism. Though much debated, its position as the basic textbook on women's history in Greece and Rome has hardly been challenged.

 

• Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic, by Alison Bechdel, DBC 27138 (Memoir, Adult) Bechdel’s widely acclaimed graphic novel, a literary memoir, in a new NLS version with visual description and a full cast.

New Urban Fiction titles

• Welfare Wifeys: Hood Rat book 4, by K'wan, DBC27113 (Fiction, Adult) The fourth book in the Hood Rat series by bestselling author K’wan depicts the harsh realities of the streets of New York City, from Harlem to Brooklyn, and beyond as a group of friends encounter prison life, drug addiction, surprise evictions, flings with rappers, government bureaucracy, and more.  Commercial Audiobook. 2015. Adult. Unrated

 

• Eviction Notice: Hood Rat book 5, by K’wan, DBC 27114 (Fiction, Adult) The fifth book in the Hood Rat series by bestselling author K’wan depicts the harsh realities of the streets of New York City, from Harlem to Brooklyn, and beyond as a group of friends encounter prison life, drug addiction, surprise evictions, flings with rappers, government bureaucracy, and more. Commercial Audiobook. 2011. Adult. Unrated

 

• No Shade: Hood Rat book 6, by K’wan, DBC 27115 (Fiction, Adult) The sixth book in the Hood Rat series by bestselling author K’wan depicts the harsh realities of the streets of New York City, from Harlem to Brooklyn, and beyond as a group of friends encounter prison life, drug addiction, surprise evictions, flings with rappers, government bureaucracy, and more. Commercial Audiobook. 2016. Adult. Unrated

 

• Street Dreams, by K’wan, DBC 27116 (Fiction, Adult) Love, betrayal, and loyalty on the streets of Harlem. Trinity finds strength to endure in Rio's arms, and together they vow to do whatever it takes to make it out of the ghetto. But soon they find their backs against the wall when the streets come to claim their due. Commercial Audiobook. 2015. Adult. Unrated

 

• Eve, by K’wan, DBC 27117 (Fiction, Adult) A novel about one of the deadliest women to ever grace the streets of Harlem - Eve. The city's biggest drug supplier, tries to tighten its hold on Harlem. And when Eve's best friend, Cassidy, is murdered, Eve seeks revenge - starting all the way at the top. Commercial Audiobook. 2016. Adult. Unrated

 

• Purple City: Volumes 1-3, by K’wan, DBC 27118 (Fiction, Adult) Three explosive urban stories in one collection: Love & Gunplay, Purple Reign and Little Nikki Grind. Commercial Audiobook. 2015. Adult. Unrated

 

• From Harlem with Love, by K’wan, DBC 27119 (Fiction, Adult) Harlem had always lived by the code of the streets and respected the rules that governed them. But when his enemies break those rules and bring drama to his family, Harlem comes up with a plan to send them a very clear message: All is fair in love and war! Commercial Audiobook. 2016. Adult. Unrated

 

• Love & Gunplay, by K’wan, DBC 27120 (Fiction, Adult) After news of the attempted murder of his estranged fiancée, Gucci, Animal has two things on his mind: love and gunplay. Commercial Audiobook. 2016. Adult. Unrated

 

• Naughty 5: Too Naughty, by Brenda Hampton, DBC 27130 (Fiction, Adult) The 5th book in the continuing naughty adventures of Jaylin Jerome Rogers. Commercial Audiobook. 2020, Adult, Unrated

 

• Naughty 6: Naughty No More, by Brenda Hampton, DBC 27131 (Fiction, Adult) The 6th book in the continuing naughty adventures of Jaylin Jerome Rogers. Commercial Audiobook. 2020, Adult, Unrated

 

• Naughty 7: Jaylin’s World: Dare To Live In It, by Brenda Hampton, DBC 27132 (Fiction, Adult) : The 7th book in the continuing naughty adventures of Jaylin Jerome Rogers. Commercial Audiobook. 2020, Adult, Unrated

 

• Naughty 8: Jaylin: A Naughty Aftermath, by Brenda Hampton, DBC 27133 (Fiction, Adult) The 8th book in the continuing naughty adventures of Jaylin Jerome Rogers. Commercial Audiobook. 2020, Adult, Unrated

 

• BFF’s, by Brenda Hampton, DBC 27135, (Fiction, Adult) Kayla, Evelyn, and Trina have been girlfriends for many years, but the lines of true friendship will be crossed. It may be possible to forgive, but certainly not to forget. Commercial Audiobook. 2018. Adult. Unrated

 

• BFF’s 2, by Brenda Hampton, DBC 27136, (Fiction, Adult) Kayla thought that her best friends, Evelyn and Trina, were supposed to always have her back, but when she discovers that Evelyn has been creeping with her husband, Cedric, and Trina has known about the ongoing affair for quite some time, Kayla is ready to cut ties and leave her so-called friends behind. Commercial Audiobook. 2018. Adult. Unrated

 

• BFF’s 3, by Brenda Hampton, DBC 27137, (Fiction, Adult) When it comes to a real friendship, Kayla, Evelyn, and Trina have one last opportunity to get it right. If only for a short period, they appear to be on the same path and willing to put their chaotic past behind them  Commercial Audiobook. 2018. Adult. Unrated

 

Holidays and Closings

The Library will be closed on:

• Saturday May 25 - Monday May 27 for Memorial Day
• Wednesday June 19 for Juneteenth