myLIBRO Issues Resolved

We were experiencing some issues with our myLIBRO mobile app after our system upgrade on Monday. These issues have been resolved.

If you continue to have problems or need assistance please email us at help@gastonlibrary.org.

 

UPDATE!

Due to the risk of inclement weather, Gaston County’s 175th Anniversary Celebration will be at the Public Forum in the Gaston County Courthouse at 4:00 pm today (12/21/21). Masks are required inside the building.

 

Gaston County’s 175^th Anniversary

 is December 21^st

 

Gaston County will be hosting a celebration of its 175^th anniversary on December 21, 2021, at the Rotary Pavilion in Gastonia at 4 pm. The ceremony will feature local speakers, winning poems from a poetry contest, and light refreshments afterward.

The kick-off for the 175^th Anniversary festivities began on December 5^th, when County staff marched in the City of Gastonia’s “Christmas in the City” parade and staffed a table near the marketplace to promote the anniversary.  Staff gave out promotional balloons, bags, ornaments, buttons, and stickers.  Flyers were distributed about how to participate in the poetry contest or contribute memories to an online site.  Many thanks to Mary Elliott and Christine Ingle from the City of Gastonia for helping to plan these two downtown events.

Emily, Dandria, and Josh with the parade banner at Christmas in the City

The deadline for the poetry contest has passed, but the online site on Biblioboard is still available to post memories, stories, historical information, or photographs:  https://gastoncounty.librariesshare.com/gastonanniversary/. 

To see what has already been posted to the Anniversary site or to see the Gaston County Public Library’s Digital History Collection, go to: https://library.biblioboard.com/module/gaston-county-community-collections .

To find out more about the early history of Gaston County and how it was formed, listen to “Gaston County:  Back to the Beginning” episode on Gaston County’s Savvy Citizen Podcast.  In this episode, Adam Gaub interviews local genealogist, historian, and retired educator Robert Carpenter: https://www.gastongov.com/government/departments/public_information/podcasts.php

-Submitted by Jane Kaylor, Librarian Supervisor, Local History and Genealogy

Accessibility and the Library App

Many Libby updates throughout 2021 have been focused on improving Libby’s screen reader experience. OverDrive is partnering with Fable—an accessibility platform powered by people with disabilities—to interview blind and low vision users directly and hear their feedback on Libby’s user experience. Based on the feedback we’ve received so far and informed by industry standards, like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), we’ve made several improvements, including: Screen reader support: Low-vision and blind users can use screen readers to browse, borrow, read ebooks and magazines, and listen to audiobooks in Libby. Currently, Libby is tested with screen readers on the native mobile apps for iOS and Android, with plans to expand testing to desktop screen readers like NVDA and JAWS in the future. Read From Here: When using a screen reader, low-vision and blind users can enter "Read From Here" mode to have the text of an ebook or magazine read aloud. Navigation Bar labels: There's an option in the in-app menu to add labels beneath each of the navigation bar icons. Note: This setting is currently only available in the English language. Adjustable text size: Libby uses the text size setting of the user’s device and scales the text in the app accordingly. Users can increase the text size in ebooks manually. Adjustable playback speed for audiobooks: Users can choose from 48 speed settings to find the speed that best suits their needs. Keyboard shortcuts: Shortcuts in Libby’s ebook reader and audiobook player supplement the keyboard navigation. Lighting options: Libby uses the device’s built-in lighting setting and displays the app in light or dark mode accordingly. Users can also choose a lighting option (light, dark, or sepia) in the ebook reader manually.

Additional accessibility updates coming in early January 2022: Screen reader and voice control improvements: We are refining the labels and descriptions of all interactive elements, making it easier for users of assistive technologies to understand and interact with the app. Keyboard focus indicators: We are making improvements to help users navigate Libby with a keyboard or any other assistive technology that does not have a pointing device, like a mouse or touch controls. New accessibility features (under Settings > Accessibility Features): Reduce Color Variation: By default, Libby adapts to the colors of book covers and the user's active library. A new toggle will allow users to reduce such adaptive changes, favoring neutral colors with good contrast. Reduce Text Variation: The app uses a variety of font styles to convey meaning, such as italics for important actions. Users will be able to adjust this setting to simplify text styles. Reduce Motion: This setting will reduce most of the transitional motion in the interface. Users can also set this preference in their operating system or browser preferences, and Libby will apply it automatically. Reduce Haptics: On devices that support subtle vibrations (called haptics), Libby uses these to provide feedback on certain touch interactions. Users can either turn it off at the operating system level or in the new "Accessibility Features" menu. Orientation Locking: By default, Libby uses a "smart orientation" setting that chooses the device orientation that best suits the content. WCAG guidelines recommend that users should be able to override the default orientation of the app, which will be adjustable in the “Accessibility Features” menu. Full screen menus: The in-app menu will no longer open from the side of the app. Instead, it will open full screen. This makes keyboard and screen reader navigation more consistent and helps all users concentrate on the task they are trying to perform in the menu. Updated menu icon: The in-app menu button (currently ) will be changed to a familiar icon, providing a more intuitive navigation experience for all users.

Ken Linker's Variety Showcase featuring Gastonians Darrell Bumgardner and Bob Bigger

Now on YouTube

The Ken Linker’s Variety Showcase was a public access entertainment program from Charlotte, North Carolina that aired for 30 years. Hosted by musician Kenneth Allen Linker, the show ran from 1972 until his death in 2002.  The show described itself as “featuring…local, regional, and national talent!”

   

Gastonia talent in this episode included Darrell Bumgardner on drums and Bob Bigger singing the song I'll Take Any Willing Woman. Jim Brown of Concord joined them on guitar. The song was written by Bob Bigger and Marvin Coe and then recorded by Randy Travis for release in 1978.

  

 

Ken Linker’s Variety Showcase was filmed at 613 Calvert St. Charlotte and broadcast on TV Access 21. Guests also featured in this episode include B. B. Jasper Davis, Tommy Faile, Tabitha Hampton, and George Perry.

  

 

Watch this episode now on the 

Gaston County Public Library YouTube Channel

 Brian Brown, Librarian, Local History & Genealogy