Maryland State Library Agency

Medicaid is a public health insurance program. It is free or low-cost health insurance for eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities. It is the largest health care program in the United States.

In Maryland, Medicaid covers about 1.8 million people. Nearly one in four Marylanders get their health insurance through Medicaid. Half of those covered are children. Locally, people also call it Medical Assistance.

March is National Reading Month!  With this in mind, the Technology User Group (TUG) invites you to join us on Saturday, March 9th, as we delve into the world of reading eBooks, using Libby, and understanding Kindle Unlimited.

Thousands of free eBooks are available from various sources across the net, but how can the blind community access and read them?  Libby is a free service provided by your local public library system, but is it easy to use and understand?  Kindle Unlimited has been around for quite a while.  The service allows you to access books and magazines, but is it really worth the cost?

Join Jennifer Abbott from the Maryland State Archives to discuss Women's History Month. The State Archives serves as the central depository for government records of permanent value. Its holdings date from Maryland's founding in 1634 and include colonial and state executive, legislative, and judicial records; county probate, land, and court records; church records; business records; state publications and reports; and special collections of private papers, maps, photographs, and newspapers. These records are kept in a humidity and temperature-controlled environment, and any necessary preservation measures are conducted in the Archives' conservation laboratory.

FB-NEWSLINE offers access to more than 500 publications, including newspapers, magazines, breaking news sources, online international newspapers, TV listings, job listings, retail ads, and more. You can access NFB-NEWSLINE through various methods, such as the touch-tone telephone, Apple IOS app, website, or Amazon Alexa, and customize your preferences and settings. This podcast will be a great opportunity for you to learn more about NFB-NEWSLINE, ask questions, and discover how you can sign up for this free service. Whether you are a current subscriber or a new user, you will find this podcast informative and engaging.

The Technology User Group (TUG) at the Maryland State Library

for the Blind and Print Disabled would like to introduce you to

artificial intelligence (AI) and how it is being used for the blind

community. On Saturday, February 10 th at 10 AM, you will be

shown numerous apps and web sites that use AI and learn about

the remarkable benefits available through this medium.

Who Should Attend This Event:

 Those individuals with a smart phone or computer

 Anyone who would like to receive detailed information

regarding mail, brochures, fliers or other material

 People who wish to receive details about their surroundings or

purchased products

 People curious about AI and its future effect on society

SHIP is the local State Health Insurance Assistance program. They provide free, unbiased help to Medicare-eligible beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers. Whether you are new to Medicare, reviewing Medicare plan options, or have questions about how to use your Medicare, SHIP can help. Trained staff and volunteer counselors are available in all 23 counties and Baltimore City for one-on-one assistance and community education.​ In this podcast, they give an overview of Medicare.

On Saturday, January 6 th , the Technology User Group (TUG) is

delighted to welcome two presenters to our inaugural Zoom

Meeting. First up will be David Ward from the Echo Tips podcast,

who will be discussing tips and tricks for your Echo device.

Following this performance will be Christina Nixon to highlight the

many attributes of the HIMS SensePlayer.

The library welcomes Keith Huber, CFP® from OneDigital. Keith’s role is to ensure that the participants receive financial wellness coaching, including budgeting, goal prioritization, and saving for retirement and emergency funds. He discusses budgeting 101, with particular emphasis on managing budgets after the holidays.

We are pleased to have Integration Technologies Group, Inc. (ITG) as a presenter for the December 9 Technology User Group.  ITG specializes in Humanware products and will give us a detailed accounting of the Victor Reader Stream 3, as well as other products in the Humanware line.

Who should attend this presentation?

• Those seeking knowledge about the Victor Reader Stream 3.

• Persons seeking information about Humanware products and who wish to share this information with friends, family and groups.

• Individuals seeking information about service and repairs for Humanware products.

• People who have questions about Humanware products and resources.

Join Sharon Mankei, president of the Friends of the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, as she discusses the importance of friend groups, their role with the library, and more!

The Library's November/December newsletter.

On Saturday, November 4, the Technology User Group (TUG) presented our 14 th annual look at assistive technology

gifts for the holidays! Gadgets, gizmos, and exciting products for

the home, office and play. Most items profiled will cost less than

$100. Many vendors will also be profiling their wares.

LBPD Bi-Monthly Newsletter: September/October 2023

On Saturday, October 14, the Technology User Group (TUG) is

pleased to welcome Thomas Domville (AnonyMouse) from AppleVis

to our gathering. He will be highlighting the many changes coming

to your iPhone with the release of iOS 17. He will talk about the

new accessibility skills and some popular app redesigns. The

AppleVis website and podcast will also be featured.

October is National Dyslexia Awareness Month. All across the country, communities will be making efforts to spotlight a range of dyslexic needs, struggles, and signs. Our guests, Dan and Christine See, will discuss the importance of screening for Dyslexia and supporting students and adults with dyslexic needs.

On Saturday, September 9, the Technology User Group (TUG) welcomes The Low Vision Shop. This company offers the BlindShell mobile phone, the All-Terrain Cane, and a wide array of other low vision and blindness products. In addition, they offer training, a podcast, a support group and so much more.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino advances the representation, understanding and appreciation of Latino history and culture in the United States. The museum provides resources and collaborates with other museums to expand scholarly research, public programs, digital content, collections and more. The museum operates its Molina Family Latino Gallery, the Smithsonian’s first gallery dedicated to the Latino experience, at the National Museum of American History.

Natalia M. Febo (she/her/ella) is a museum educator and a visual artist born and raised in Puerto Rico and residing in Washington, D.C. Currently, she works as the Community Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator at the National Museum of the American Latino and is part of the team that developed the first national Latino gallery at the Smithsonian. Natalia has a passion for visual arts, history, and cultural programs and has worked in museum education programs for over ten years.

On Saturday, August 12, the Technology User Group (TUG) will profile the YouTube website and the YouTube app. Learn how to use both applications effectively: managing play controls, subscribing, skipping ads and saving. Finding premium content will also be discussed.

U.S. Happiness Happens Month is celebrated annually in August. It is dedicated to celebrating things that make you happy. Lisa McCoy is a tenured Family and Consumer Sciences educator with the University of Maryland Extension. In her 40 years of experience as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, she shares her passion for health and wellness through her programs. Stress management is one of Lisa’s program areas where she educates people about the impact of stress in their lives and hopes to empower them to make behavior changes to improve their own lives and those around them.

This month's TUG showcases a review of how visually impaired consumers
can use accessible options within the Family Radio Service (FRS),
Citizen's band radio (CB), General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS), and
amiture radio (HAM) programs.
We will discuss what these programs are, what licenses and equipment
you need for each, and their relative accessibility.

On Saturday, July 8, the Technology User Group (TUG) will showcase games for Windows computers. Many of you may be familiar with the RS Games and Quentin C Playroom platforms, but there are other options, too. In this session, we will profile both free and paid games. We will also provide resources to help you stay informed about new game releases and websites.

Have you ever wanted to start your own nonprofit? Learn how with Paddy Morton and Maryland Nonprofits! Maryland Nonprofits’ mission is to strengthen organizations and networks for greater quality of life and equity. Nonprofit organizations are well-resourced and nonprofit leaders are effective agents of change, for greater equity, creativity, sustainability, and community well-being. Paddy Morton has served as Legal Counsel for Maryland Nonprofits since 2002. She also directs the Nonprofit Startup Services program.

Travel Apps and Tools

On Saturday, May 13th, the Technology User Group (TUG) is pleased to showcase travel tools and apps. Whether you are traveling to a distant city, such as Houston or Chicago, or traveling halfway around the world, these tools and apps will help you get the most out of your adventure. 

The presentation will be virtual and may be joined by calling 319- 527-4994. You do not have to RSVP for this event. The presentation will begin at 10 AM and last about 60 minutes.

For seniors throughout Central Maryland, Meals on Wheels delivers more than nutritious meals. They provide support and safety-net services that help sustain health, promote independence, maintain economic stability, and improve the overall quality of life. Join us as we explore their offerings, how to connect for service, and more!

Collection Highlights *"Grow More Food: A Vegetable Gardener's Guide to Getting the Biggest Harvest Possible From a Space of Any Size"*, by Colin McCrate and Brad Halm *DB 107752* Two experienced gardeners help readers boost their garden productivity by teaching them how to plan carefully, maximize production in every bed, get the most out of every plant, scale up systems to maximize efficiency, and expand the harvest season with succession planting, intercropping, and season extension.  "*Gardening on Pavement, Tables, and Hard Surfaces, *"by George Schenk *BR 015618* Step-by-step instructions for planting a garden directly on hard surfaces like stepping stones, parking grids, patio pavers, rocks, railings, stumps and logs, rooftops, and other impermeable platforms with only a few inches of soil. Covers plant selection, care, and maintenance as well as construction and design techniques. 2003. ________________________________________________________________________ Marylandia Updates Animal Stories for grades K-3 *DBC 12523* * – **"The Sunflower Squirrel"*, by Laara C. Oakes, narrated by Janet Sanford Spring is finally here and Squirrel is excited about the year ahead. She has trees to scamper up and down, tasty nuts to gather, and friends to visit. But when Squirrel leaves her warm nest high in the oak tree, she hears Blue Jay and Cardinal talking about how hard they had to search to find food during the harsh winter. Squirrel decides to put her tree climbing aside and help her friends with an idea that she hopes will ensure that her friends all have enough food to get them through the coming winter. A fun story of friendship, teamwork, generosity, and determination. ________________________________________________________________________ For Adults Twenty-one new audio magazines are being added to the NLS collection. * *"American Indian"* * *"Baseball Digest"* * *"Bookmarks"* * *"Consumer Reports: On Health"* * *"Cooking Light"* * *"Dogster"* * *"Ebony"* * *"Fiyah Literary Magazine"* * *"Golf Digest"* * *"Guideposts"* * *"International Living Magazine"* * *"Jet"* * *"Make"* * *"Prevention Magazine"* * *"Psychology Today"* * *"Scientific American"* * *"Selecciones del Reader’s Digest"* * *"The Sun Magazine"* * *"Vanidades"* * *"Wax Poetics"* * *"Yoga Journal"* In addition, the following magazines have been discontinued: * "*Today’s Parent*" * "*Popular Science*" * "*Das Beste aus Reader’s Digest (German)*" To subscribe to any of these magazines, please contact the library at 410-230-2424 or reference.desk@maryland.gov.  ________________________________________________________________________ Accessing College The Maryland Accessible Textbook Program (MAT) was created by the Maryland General Assembly to offer additional choices to all Maryland college students who are blind or visually impaired or who have other disabilities that make it difficult to read print. It is a program housed in the Maryland Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD) in Baltimore. Colleges, universities, and community colleges, whether they are public or private, generally have a person or office to aid individuals with disabilities to address a variety of disability-related issues. Services available from Disability Student Services (DSS) staff include test accommodations and locating accessible books among many others.  The MAT program offers you an additional choice for getting accessible textbooks for your own use if you want to have another entity aid inaccessible book procurement. The DSS office in the school you attend may also choose MAT as the means of procuring electronic texts for you. MAT is committed to providing a seamless book acquisition process for everyone who chooses its services.   

Formed in 1982 to preserve the history, heritage, and memory of Maryland’s organized militia, the Society was the driving force behind the establishment of what is now the Maryland Museum of Military History. While the militia remains a prime focus of the Society, it seeks to preserve the memory of the military accomplishments of all Marylanders, regardless of branch of service.

On Saturday, April 8 th , the Technology User Group (TUG) will demonstrate how to get your existing computer to upgrade to Windows 11. We will also display the changes that you can expect and what you need to know in order to use Jaws and other screen reading software.

Pollinators, Native Plants, & Earth Day…  Oh My!

First time gardener, no problem. Join Rachel Rhodes, Mikaela Boley, and Emily Zobel from the Garden Thyme Podcast at the University of Maryland Extension to chat about useful garden tips, native plants, testing your soil, pollinators, and LaShawn’s disdain for stink bugs.

Hear more topics from the Garden Thyme Podcast at: https://gardenthymepodcast.buzzsprout.com/

Have you dreamed of a lush patio or backyard garden? Marcus Williams is here to help. Marcus Williams is the Master Gardener/ Home Horticulture representative of the University of Maryland Extension serving Baltimore City, Maryland. Marcus received his M.S. in Food Safety and Biosecurity from Virginia Tech in 2017 and his B.S. in plant and soil science from Virginia State University in 2009. Before joining the Extension, he worked in Maryland’s emerging cannabis industry. Contact Marcus at 410-856-1850 or mwilli65@umd.edu.

On Saturday, March 11, the Technology User Group (TUG) will

profile the GarageBand app. Dan Price, a Berklee College of

Music graduate and patron of the library, will talk about the

various components of the GarageBand app, how to create

music, make changes, and ultimately create a song. He will also

talk about the challenges of using the iPhone version of the app

compared to its MacBook counterpart.

Social work is an academic discipline and practice-based profession concerned with meeting the basic needs of individuals, families, groups, communities, and society as a whole to enhance their individual and collective well-being. Join Mary Beth DeMartino, LCSW-C as she talks with Ashley Biggs about the importance of social work, the various kinds of social workers, and how you can find the right kind of social worker to meet your needs.  

Formerly Maryland Relay, this state resource can help clients acquire cell phones, TTY equipment, and other communication devices.  The application process is easy and highly encouraged.  Learn about all of the programs offered and how you can benefit.

The Neuroplasticity and Development Lab at Johns Hopkins is seeking participants for an MRI Research Study on cognition. The study aims to investigate how lifestyle experience shapes the human brain. JHU is interested in how the brain adapts to the absence of vision. To answer this question, they are neuroimaging to compare the brains of individuals with different life histories, people who were born sighted but became blind, those who were born blind, and those who are currently sighted. Join Marina Bedny, Director of Neuroplasticity and Development Lab at Johns Hopkins University, Elizabeth Saccone, and Ashley Biggs as they explore this topic. 

Has someone used your personal information to open accounts, steal your tax refund, or file fake health insurance claims? That’s identity theft. It can happen to anyone, but simple steps can help lessen the chance it will happen to you. Join Kelle Slaughter and Ashley Biggs as they explore this topic. 

On Saturday, January 7th, the Technology User Group (TUG) welcomes the Maryland Technology Assistance Program (MDTAP).  Administered through the Department of Disabilities, MDTAP enhances the lives of all Marylanders with disabilities, older Marylanders, and their families by providing access to assistive technology (AT) devices and services.  Several years have passed since MDTAP’s last presentation, so come learn what’s new in 2023.

The presentation will be virtual and may be joined by calling 319-527-4994.  You do not have to RSVP for this event.  The presentation will begin at 10 AM and last about 60 minutes.

On Saturday, December 11, the Technology User Group will

showcase the five best new apps to debut in 2021, as well as look

forward into 2022 to highlight upcoming trends and the tech that

will be disappearing. Have you discovered a smart phone app

that you enjoy? Feel free to share information about the app with

all of us.

The presentation will be virtual and may be joined by calling 319-

527-4994. You do not have to RSVP for this event. The

presentation will begin at 10 AM and last about 60 minutes.

We look forward to meeting with you virtually on Saturday,

December 11, and hope that you will join us for other exciting

events we have planned for 2022 and beyond.

This Thanksgiving, incorporate some Maryland recipes into the usual menu. Check out this title to discover some new, simple recipes to bring to the table.

Cooking

DBC 12432  – I Can Cook, You Can Cook! Simply Great Maryland Recipes, by Wayne O. Broke, narrated by Maxine A. Cohen

An award-winning Baltimore chef and restaurateur recounts his days as a casual proprietor at the popular Wayne's Bar-B-Que, sharing more than 150 recipes for simple and easy-to-prepare soups, salads, entrees, side dishes, desserts, breakfasts, and drinks.

November is Native American Heritage Month. Here’s a few recent titles from Native voices.

The Sentence, by Louise Erdrich

BR 24020 ; DB 105798

After her release from prison, Tookie takes a job at a Minneapolis bookstore. The store is haunted by the ghost of Flora, a former customer who had a habit of claiming to have Native American heritage. Tookie must solve the mystery of this haunting while Minneapolis endures a year of upheaval.

The Seed Keeper, by Diane Wilson

DB 105284

Rosalie Iron Wing grew up in the woods with her father, Ray, who told her stories of the natural world and the origins of the Dakota people. When he disappeared, Rosalie went into foster care. Years later, she returns home to the family cabin and remembers her father's teachings.

A Snake Falls to Earth, by Darcie Little Badger

DB 106018

Nina, a Lipan Apache, lives in the real world and still believes in the old stories. Oli, a cottonmouth snake boy, lives in the Reflecting World. But a catastrophic event on Earth, and a strange sickness that befalls Oli's best friend, drive their worlds together in ways they haven't been in centuries.

On Saturday, November 5 th , the Technology User Group is pleased to present our 13 th annual look at assistive technology gifts for the holidays! Gadgets, gizmos and exciting products for the home, office and play. Most items profiled will cost less than $100. Many vendors will also be

profiling their wares in this special two-hour event.

Please note that in November, the Technology User Group will meet on the first Saturday of the month. The presentation will be virtual and may be joined by calling 319-527-4994. You do not have to RSVP for this event. The presentation will begin at 10 AM and last about 2 hours.

We look forward to meeting with you virtually on Saturday, November 5th, and hope that you will join us for other exciting events we have planned for 2022 and beyond.

If you would like to listen to previous TUG recordings, please

click here:

https://www.marylandlibraries.org/Pages/Technology%20User%2

0Group.aspx

Upcoming TUG Programs:

• December 10: 10 AM, Top Websites to Bookmark for 2023 and the Best New Apps of 2022
• January 7: 10 AM, The Maryland Technology Assistance Program, “Bringing Assistive Technology to Marylanders”

For more information about the Technology User Group, please contact Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 or via email at assistive.technology@maryland.gov.

U.S. History

DBC 12466  – Hell Comes to Southern Maryland: The Story of the Point Lookout Prison and Hammond General Hospital, by Bradley M. Gottfried, narrated by Sabrina Dames

Called the “Andersonville of the North,” the Point Lookout Civil War Prisoner of War Camp for

Confederates was the largest facility in the North. This book takes a fresh look at all aspects of the prison, from its formation to its closing and lasting legacy. Loaded with first-person accounts of both Confederate prisoners and Union personnel, the book helps readers get a vivid picture of what it was like to be incarcerated in the camp.

 LBPD welcomes Alex Chan from the Maryland Extension Office of Family and Consumer Sciences. He's a mental and behavioral specialist from University Maryland Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Program. He's here to talk to us about stress management, family relations, and the holiday buzz that happens every year during this month. His recent program development has focused on stigma reduction, the mental health of farmers, and community capacity building through programs like mental health first aid, he holds his master's and doctoral degrees in Human Development and Family Studies from Ashburton university.

On Saturday, November 5 th , the Technology User Group is pleased to present our 13 th annual look at assistive technology gifts for the holidays! Gadgets, gizmos and exciting products for the home, office and play. Most items profiled will cost less than $100. Many vendors will also be profiling their wares in this special two-hour event. Please note that in November, the Technology User Group will meet on the first Saturday of the month. The presentation will be virtual and may be joined by calling 319-527-4994. You do not have to RSVP for this event. The presentation will begin at 10 AM and last about 2 hours. We look forward to meeting with you virtually on Saturday, November 5th, and hope that you will join us for other exciting events we have planned for 2022 and beyond.

Guide to Indigenous Maryland is a multi-faceted community engagement initiative of the Maryland State Library Agency and Maryland’s public libraries. Through the development and curation of educational resources, the project aims to teach Marylanders about the history of local Native and Indigenous peoples and how their heritage influences contemporary life in Maryland. Content for the app and website are based on crowdsourced contributions and recommendations from individual Native and Indigenous Marylanders, as well as tribal nations heritage organizations, in collaboration with Maryland’s public libraries and the project curator Dr. Elizabeth Rule, Assistant Professor, American University. Nicholas Alexander Brown is a Honduran-American library executive and musician based in Maryland, where he currently serves as Acting Co-CEO and Chief Operating Officer for Communication and Outreach at the Prince George's County Memorial Library System. Maribel Rodriguez grew up in New York City as the daughter of an immigrant parent from Colombia and of an American parent from Puerto Rico (Taino ancestry). She studied photography as an undergraduate at The Rochester Institute of Technology, then went on to study social enterprise at American University for her master’s.

Join us as we explore the spooky stories of Maryland's witchy past. Hear true tales and folklore from across the state and find out what Colonial Maryland was really like for those accused of witchcraft. Can you tell fact from legend?" Amanda Hughes has been working in museums, archives, and libraries all across the country for over 10 years. Her current home is the Maryland Department of Enoch Pratt Library where she is the Assistant Manager.  Amanda's special passions are women's history and the personal stories of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.  She reads incessantly and indiscriminately but loves science fiction, graphic novels, and memoirs, usually all simultaneously.

August 2022

Ridgley, MD, located in Caroline County, is brought to life in this 19th century romantic tale.

Historical Fiction

DBC 12461  – Where This Road Ends, by Rebekah Colburn, narrated by Roberta Jackson

Ella Mae Hutchins knows exactly what she wants from life. Getting it turns out to be much harder than she expects. She has only two dreams: to marry Daniel Evans and to become a successful novelist. When neither dream seems achievable, she sets out to build a life without either. After all her efforts fail, Ella Mae returns to her hometown broken. Determined to start again, the last thing she expects is to encounter the man she blames for ruining her life. Although age and suffering have changed them both, can she forgive Daniel for breaking her heart and is she brave enough to hope for a writing career in a time when female novelists are rare?

Get ready for the first day of school with these titles that tackle the nerves and excitement often felt before the big day.

Print/Braille

Butterflies on the First Day of School, by Annie Silverstro

BR 23020

The night before the big day, Rosie's excitement about starting school turns into a tummy ache. Rosie's mom reassures her that it is just butterflies. Much to her surprise, one flies right out of her mouth when she makes a new friend on the bus! PRINT/BRAILLE. For preschool-grade 2.

The Pigeon Has to Go to School!, by Mo Willems

BR 22718

The pigeon must go to school, but frets about math, learning the alphabet, heavy backpacks, and what the teacher and other birds will think of him. PRINT/BRAILLE. For preschool-grade 2.

School's First Day of School, by Adam Rex

BR 22003

When Frederick Douglass Elementary opens, the school is nervous that it may not like having the little kids inside. But after an exciting first day, the school is ready to invite all of the children back. PRINT/BRAILLE.  For grades K-3.

Talking Books

Harry Versus the First 100 Days of School, by Emily Jenkins

DB 104246

Harry Bergen-Murphy does not feel ready when he starts first grade, but by day 100 he has become an expert on several important things, including being a first-grader. For grades K-3.

Tomorrow I'll Be Kind, by Jessica Hische

DB 98930

Animals demonstrate how the smallest gestures can make the biggest difference in the world. For preschool-grade 2.

If I Built a School, by Chris Van Dusen

DBC 19458

Imaginative Jack describes the kind of school he would build--one full of animals, with tubes to transport students directly to their classrooms, and library books that come alive. For grades K-3.

Multiple Formats Available

The King of Kindergarten, by Derrick Barnes

BR 22793 ; DB 104940

Instilled with confidence by his parents, a young boy has a great first day of kindergarten. For preschool-grade 2.

The Cool Bean, by John Jory

BR 23175 ; DB 97910

Always on the sidelines, one bean unsuccessfully tries everything he can to fit in with the crowd--until one day the cool beans show him how it's done. For grades K-3.

The Day You Begin, by Jacqueline Woodson

BR 22673 ; DB 104931

Other students laugh when Rigoberto, an immigrant from Venezuela, introduces himself. Later, however, he meets Angelina and discovers that he is not the only one who feels like an outsider. For grades K-3.