Kansas Talking Books Service

06/03/2026

Roar into Summer Reading with a paper bag dinosaur! If you opted in for the Mail-and-Make craft, your dinosaur kit should be ready to go, or you may be able to find the supplies around the house. Watch Maggie's how-to video and follow along as she describes each step of the project. Grab your supplies and let's get crafting! State Library of Kansas

Follow these instructions to make your Paper Bag Dinosaur craft.

06/01/2026

New season, new stories, new newsletter! The June 2026 issue of the Kansas Talking Books Connect has arrived. Dive into the new issue today: https://tinyurl.com/ktbcjune26 to discover summer reading opportunities, upcoming programs and events, staff picks, NLS news, and ways to stay connected with our community of readers across Kansas.
What are you reading this summer? Let us know in the comments

State Library of Kansas
[Image: Text at top reads Kansas Talking Books Connect - June 2026. Below an illustration of a small T. Rex like dinosaur holding a book open on his back. A small blue triceratops is to his right. Text on the image reads Unearth a Story.]

05/28/2026

Join National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled Music Section on Tuesday, June 2 at 6 pm. For a conversation and Q&A with singer, pianist and NLS Music Section patron Holly Connor. Details at https://www.loc.gov/nls/services-and-resources/music-service-and-materials

Singer, pianist and NLS Music Section patron Holly Connor will be the guest for the NLS Music Notes webinar on Tuesday, June 2, at 7 p.m. eastern time. Connor, a student at Webster University in St. Louis, already has a lengthy resume that includes performing as a featured soloist with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and winning first place in the Webster University Orchestra Aria Competition. She will talk with NLS Music Section Senior Accessible Music Librarian Brian McCurdy about her journey as an undergraduate student, her use of braille music and her artistry as a performer of opera, art songs and musical theater. After the interview, there will be time for questions from the audience. Get details on how to join the Zoom webinar at www.loc.gov/nls/services-and-resources/music-service-and-materials?loclr=fbnls.
[Image: Holly Connor performing in 2022 at a fundraiser for organizations in the St. Louis area that support people with disabilities. https. ://www.hollyconnor.com]

05/26/2026

Need book recommendation? We’ve got you covered. Our May Staff Picks blog highlights books we’ve enjoyed, talked about, and can’t wait to share with you. From page-turning fiction to inspiring nonfiction, there’s something for every reader. Take a look at this month’s picks and see what catches your interest! https://tinyurl.com/3sbzwtdr
State Library of Kansas
[Image: Four covers for the books The Time Traveler’s Guide to Medieval England by Ian Mortimer, The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst, Vision by David S. Tatel, and The Genius of Trees by Harriet Rix. To the right of the book covers is the text May 2026 Staff Picks with the State Library of Kansas logo and talking books website below.]

05/19/2026

Madison and Monroe, the final "Founding Fathers" to serve as POTUS, join our Presidential Parade. Learn more about these men, their lives, accomplishments, ideals, and contradictions in the books we've selected and listed here https://tinyurl.com/bdc82jhn
State Library of Kansas

[Image: Three images presented on a wall as in an art gallery. On left is a portrait of James Madison in a dark suit sitting at a desk. His right elbow is resting on the desk and his right hand holds a paper. His left had is resting on his knee. Center image is the State Library of Kansas Logo. Right image is a portrait of James Monroe in a dark suit sitting at a desk. Both hands resting on the desktop. Below is text that reads "Presidential Parade."]

05/15/2026

KTB summer reading kicks off on June 1st! Register for your chance to win prizes and participate in all the fun. https://tinyurl.com/KTBSummer26 State Library of Kansas

[Image: An illustrated background of jungle plants, trees, and vines. Text over the background reads, "UNEARTH A STORY. Summer Reading Program. Books. Prizes. Fun. Register Today! tinyurl.com/KTBSummer26. At the bottom a winged dinosaur is perched on a branch reading a book.]

05/11/2026

the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled has a variety of programs to support talking book and braille readers across the country. From using BARD on the DA2 and a smart speaker to navigating braille books on the ereader, there's something for everyone. Details at https://www.loc.gov/nls/services-and-resources/patron-services-and-events/

NLS has a full slate of patron-focused online events this month.
On Thursday, May 14, the monthly Many Faces of BARD program will explore Typing Text Using the DA2. After a presentation and demonstration, NLS staff members will take your questions about all things BARD (our Braille and Audio Reading Download service) for the remainder of the hour. The program will begin at 7 p.m. eastern time and last for one hour. Get more information at www.loc.gov/nls/news-and-updates/many-faces-of-bard.
The topic for the Thursday, May 21, Smart Speaking to the Smart Speaker online program at 7 p.m. eastern time will be Creating the Personalized Experience: Effectively Setting Volume, Speed and Tone in the My Talking Books Skill on Alexa. More information: www.loc.gov/nls/news-and-updates/smart-speaking-to-the-smart-speaker.
Finally, That All May eRead resumes its regular schedule on Tuesday, May 26, at 7 p.m. eastern time. Navigating DAISY Files on Your eReader is the subject of this month’s program. NLS staff members will answer questions about the Braille eReader for the remainder of the hour. More information: www.loc.gov/nls/news-and-updates/that-all-may-eread.
[Image: Close-up photo of a person holding an NLS DA2 audiobook player.]

05/08/2026

Council on Aging Positive Aging Resource Fair from 10-2 today in Leavenworth. Come see Sarah and learn all about Kansas Talking Books and NFB-Newsline!

Positive Aging Resource Fair is today, May 8th, 10am - 2pm.

05/07/2026

Today's the day. Stop and see Maggie from 9:00 until 2:00 at the PBS Kansas Channel 8 Kansas Senior Expo at the Sedgwick County Extension Education Center 7001 W. 21st St. N. Wichita

It's almost time for this year's Senior Expo! Join us tomorrow, May 7th, to discover more about your health, available benefits & local resources. We'll see you there!👀

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