Fall 2025 NEWSLETTER
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THE FRIENDS OF THE NEW JERSEY LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND AND HANDICAPPED, INC. Fall 2025 NEWSLETTER |
President’s Message
Seasons are speeding by summer is now in our rearview mirror.
Cool mornings and evenings and beautiful leaves alighting to the ground, announcing that fall has arrived.
A good time to settle back and think about joining something new.
I have a wonderful idea, why not join The Friends of The New Jersey Library for The Blind and Handicapped?
That would definitely be something worthwhile.
The Friends supports programs and projects for The Talking Book and Braille Center. This year has been a little different than others and we have had to readjust how things are done due to an uncertainty in funding.
We are very optimistic that next year things will go back to where we were before, supporting programs and projects for The Talking Book and Braille Center.
What we need is a very strong membership base. Each and every member is a great asset to the program. We appreciate all of our current members and hope that you consider joining us.
The only obligation would be to fill out an application and a $10 check.
We meet twice a year, once in June and once in December. That is not really asking very much of anyone.
Please think about it and come join us.
I want to thank all those who have joined us, you have made our group stronger. We also want to let you know about the election next year in June 2026 for new officers. Anyone who would like to run please contact Jim Dougherty. See below Nominating Committee article for Jim’s information. In closing, I want to wish everyone a very wonderful holiday season.
Enjoy family and friends and remember the library.
Marie Sawyer
President of the Friends
Meeting Information
Our next meeting will be by conference call on December 6th, 2025, 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.
Farewell
by Adam Szczepaniak
On November 1st, I will be retiring from the New Jersey State Library after eighteen years with the Talking Book and Braille Center (TBBC).
For the past eighteen years I have worked with the Friends as either TBBC’s liaison or director.
While the program does serve patrons with qualifying disabilities other than vision, I have always appreciated your support to everyone.
Your support of the Summer Reading programs has brought smiles to many children.
You have also supported successful winter reading programs to our adult and Hispanic patrons.
While there have been other sponsorships from you, the “Wall of Recognition” project has provided an avenue for patrons and their families to express the value to them of TBBC.
A few years ago, the daughter of one of the “Recognition Wall” donors shared information about the wall with Governor Murphy. It was an honor to receive a call from Governor Murphy expressing his appreciation of the work that TBBC does with your support.
My hope is that the Friends will continue to support the library as it always has.
It has been my pleasure to work with you.
Thank you for all you do.
TBBC in Brief
For 2026, the Winter Reading Program has been paused. TBBC hopes that it will return next year. Keep reading in the meantime!
The new NLS players are currently in the building. Once the staff completes the processing and software updates, those on the wait list will be sent their machine. If anyone who is not currently on the wait list but wants a new machine, please contact TBBC to be added.
Nominating Committee - June 2026 Elections
By Jim Dougherty, Chair
During Our June 2026 Meeting, the Friends will be electing a Slate of Officers to our Executive Board for the next 2 years. They include President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. As the Nominating Committee Chair, appointed by President Marie Sawyer, I will be seeking Candidates for the above positions. If you would like to be considered for one of these offices, please contact me by email at jfd208@optonline.net or by calling and leaving a message on my cell phone at (732)589-5619. Below are descriptions and requirements as adopted by the Friends for each position. Please be sure to review them carefully to determine your eligibility.
SECTION 1. The officers shall consist of, a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. These officers shall perform the duties set forth in these By-Laws and by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Friends.
The President: must be eligible for services from the (NJSLTBBC).
The President shall preside at all meetings, appoint two (2) Executive Board Members-at-Large with Board approval, appoint committees and serve as an ex officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee. The President shall be a current member and in good standing of the Friends.
The Vice-President: must be eligible for services from the (NJSLTBBC).
The Vice-President shall preside in the absence of the President. The Vice-President shall be a current member and in good standing of the Friends.
The Secretary: shall keep the minutes of all meetings, coordinate correspondence and maintain custody of all non-financial corporate records.
The Treasurer: shall keep the financial records, maintain responsibility over all receipts and disbursements and prepare periodic financial reports.
A Heartfelt Thank You
The Friends would like to thank Barbara Pirie for her very generous donation.
As we support TBBC 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 2025-2026 annual dues are past due. If you have not sent them in yet, please do so ASAP. Please send your dues and donations to the Friends mailing address and write your check out to the Friends of the Library for the Blind and Handicapped. The Friends appreciate your efforts 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 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, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
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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