FALL 2024 NEWSLETTER
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THE FRIENDS OF THE NEW JERSEY LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND AND HANDICAPPED, INC. FALL 2024 NEWSLETTER |
The mission of The Friends shall be to support and promote the services and programs of the NJ State Library Talking Book and Braille Center.
President’s Message
Brisk air and gentle, cool breezes usher in the new fall season.
It’s hard to believe that summer is now in our rearview mirror.
Many of us will start thinking about the holidays and purchasing gifts for friends and family. I have a great idea. Why don’t you purchase a Friends of The New Jersey Library for the Blind and Handicapped membership and present it to yourself as a gift? Truly, a perfect gift! A very simple application and a $10 check are not hard at all. There are few obligations. There are only two meetings a year, one in June and one in December. The Friends of The New Jersey Library for the Blind and Handicapped support programs and projects of the talking book and braille center. In this past year, we supported the golf outing which took place in June, the children’s summer reading program and a Hispanic adult reading program. We also supported the winter adult reading program called ChillyChapters. All of these programs this year, have proven to be a great success. The Friends are a small group, but dedicated with a strong will to help make the library a success.
We need more members to make it even stronger and more successful
Please come and join us. We need all of you to make it super strong. Our next meeting is December 7th by conference call. Details follow this message. If anyone out there has any suggestions for projects or programs for the talking book and braille center please don’t hesitate. Send your ideas to the Friends of The New Jersey Library for the Blind and Handicapped email which is Friendsnjlbh@yahoo.com. All E-mails will be reviewed by the board. Please think of making that gift for yourself and for the library. I want to wish everybody a wonderful fall season and a very happy and joyous holiday season enjoying friends and family. This is a perfect time of the year to grab a book, curl up in front of the fireplace and have an enjoyable read.
Until we meet again, stay safe and keep reading.
Marie Sawyer
President
Meeting Information
Our next meeting will be by conference call on December 7, 2024, beginning at 10 AM dial 605-468-8005. Enter the access code 425 373#. You will be asked to press 1 after the access code is repeated correctly.
13th Annual TBBC Golf Classic
Update By Linda Cerce
The 13th Annual TBBC Golf Classic was another successful fundraising charity event held on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at Makefield Highlands Golf Club in Yardley PA. We credit this success to our sponsors, golfers, staff, employees of Makefield Golf Club, and volunteers. The Friends of the New Jersey Library for the Blind and Handicapped were especially gracious to be two sponsors at our event this year: The Presenting Sponsor and The Lunch Sponsor. The Course Hospitality Sponsor was In Memory of Joan O’Rahilly. The Continental Breakfast Sponsor was Thomas Edison State University. The Closest to the Pin Sponsor was Costco Wholesale, who generously donated a $300 gift card which was used to purchase prizes for the event. The Putting Contest Sponsor was NJM Insurance Group. Tee Sponsors were NJ Blind Citizens Association, Inc., TC Irons Agency, and Lear and Pannepacker, LLC. 42 golfers enjoyed a fun filled day starting with a Continental Breakfast, golf and networking, contests, BBQ Buffet Lunch, prizes, awards, and auctions. 23 various donors contributed to the Penny and Silent Auctions. At the end of the day, we were very satisfied with the results of our fundraiser that profited $5,402.00 and look forward to next year’s 14th Annual TBBC Golf Classic. If you’re interested in joining our Golf Committee or would like more information about the event contact Linda Cerce at 1-800-792-8322 ext. 835 or email lcerce@njstatelib.org.
Children’s Summer Reading Program
By Jennifer Apgar
TBBC has wrapped up another successful Youth Summer Reading Program. This year’s theme was “Adventure Begins at Your Library” and this was most certainly an adventurous summer! We had 46 participants total, 13 of whom received their packets in braille, as well. Each participant received 4 different packages by mail. The packages included booklists, craft ideas, activities, and prizes such as wooden snakes, plush stars, sand art, and more thanks to the generosity of the Friends of The New Jersey Library for the Blind and Handicapped. Additionally, special for this year, each participant had the opportunity to receive an Amazon Echo Dot thanks to a generous grant from the Bordentown Elks Lodge 2085 Elks National Foundation Committee.
We are already looking forward to next summer when things promise to get a bit more colorful as we “Color Our World”! Once again, a huge thank you to the Friends of The New Jersey Library for the Blind and Handicapped for their continued support of TBBC’s summer program.
2024 Spanish Summer Reading Program
By Luisa Martucci
The TBBC 2024 Spanish Summer Reading Program successfully celebrated Latinx culture through various activities. We hosted two virtual meetings where patrons had the opportunity to discuss insights about Latin authors and practice their Spanish language skills. Patrons also received a package by mail containing booklists and easy, fun recipes to try at home. Thanks to The Friends of The New Jersey Library for the Blind and Handicapped, 15 of our participants received a tote bag! We are already looking forward to another year of adventures with our Spanish language patrons who are eager to engage in our library programs.
Upcoming Winter Reading Challenge at TBBC
By Elizabeth Kelly
TBBC is pleased to announce the second year of the Winter Reading Challenge (WRC) for adult patrons aged 18 and over. The challenge will take place over 8 weeks, running from Monday, January 6, 2025, to Friday, February 28, 2025.
Registration details will be shared in the TBBC newsletter, email blasts, social media, and on the phone message when patrons call the library, so make sure that TBBC has your current email address.
We had great participation last year and hope to see even more patrons join us for this year’s challenge.
A Heartfelt Thank You
The Friends would like to thank Barbara Pirie for her generous donation. As we support the Library in any way we can, the contributions are most welcome. Thank you!
Annual Dues are due
This is a friendly reminder that our annual dues for FY 2025 are due. Please send your dues and donations to the Friends of The New Jersey Library for the Blind and Handicapped mailing address and write your check out to the Friends of the Library for the Blind and Handicapped. The mailing address is P.O. Box 434, Woodbridge, NJ 07095. The Friends of The New Jersey Library for the Blind and Handicapped appreciate your support and your participation in helping the NJSLTBBC meet its goals. A membership form is attached to this newsletter for those who wish to join The Friends of The New Jersey Library for the Blind and Handicapped or pay dues. Dues are $10.00 for an individual membership and $25.00 for a family membership. These dues cover the 12-month period from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.
Options for Reading The Friends’ Newsletter
The newsletter is available in Large Print, E-Mail, on our website www.friendsnjlibraryfortheblind.org and for those who do not have computers, by telephone on Newsline. You can access these Newsletters with a Newsline subscription and a touch-tone telephone. If you do not have a Newsline subscription, contact Reader Services at the New Jersey Talking Book and Braille Center at 1-800-792-8322 to get signed up for a Newsline subscription. If you have a Newsline subscription, but do not remember your login information, contact Christian Riehl at the above number extension 821. Once you have secured your login information, dial in to the service by calling 1-888-882-1629, or the local dial up number provided to you for accessing the service. Follow the prompts for logging in and reading the Newsletters. Choose option 2 off the main menu for your state’s information channel, followed by option for the blindness groups, then the option for the Friends Newsletters. Happy reading.
Please check out our website for information on community services as well as present and past copies of our newsletters at www.friendsnjlibraryfortheblind.org
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The Friends of the NJLBH
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