<div dir="ltr"><div><div class="gmail_default" style=""><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16px"><b>Please join us for these great events!</b></span></font></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><strong style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:bold"><u><br></u></strong></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><strong style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:bold"><u>Virtual Hike</u></strong></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><p style="margin:0px 0px 15px 30px;line-height:1.4;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">The 2026 Virtual Hike invites participants on a month-long accessible cultural journey through Mexico and Mexican American heritage. Running from April 1 through April 30, this virtual experience invites participants to join a reading and cultural exploration challenge designed to engage the senses, spark curiosity, and build community. The hike is open to individuals of all ages! Learn more by visiting the Virtual Hike <a href="https://msla.maryland.gov/Pages/Virtual%20Hike.aspx?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank" title="Virtual Hike Website" rel="noopener" style="color:rgb(32,57,157);text-decoration-line:none">website</a>. </p><p style="margin:0px 0px 15px;font-size:16px;line-height:1.4;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="text-decoration-line:underline;line-height:1.4"><strong style="font-weight:bold">Virtual Hike: Cooking Class</strong></span></p><p style="margin:0px 0px 15px 30px;line-height:1.4;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">On Thursday, April 9, join us for a live, in-person, and hands-on cooking class at the Carroll County Public Library's Exploration Commons with local restaurant owner, Jasmin Sarabia! Co-owner of Restaurant La Jarochita, Jasmin and her family focus on traditional Mexican cuisine, Mexican cultural traditions, and community engagement. Sarabia is a graduate of Carroll Community College, a human resources generalist, a chef, and passionate about community. <a href="https://marylandlibraries.libcal.com/calendar/ExternalCalendar/HikeCooking?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank" title="Cooking class registration" rel="noopener" style="color:rgb(32,57,157);text-decoration-line:none">Registration is required</a>, and priority is given to LBPD patrons. </p><p style="margin:0px 0px 15px;font-size:16px;line-height:1.4;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="text-decoration-line:underline;line-height:1.4"><strong style="font-weight:bold">Technology User Group</strong></span></p><p style="margin:0px 0px 15px 30px;line-height:1.4;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">On Saturday, April 11th, at 10:00 AM, the <a href="https://msla.maryland.gov/Pages/Technology-User-Group.aspx?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank" title="TUG Landing Page and Zoom Link" rel="noopener" style="color:rgb(32,57,157);text-decoration-line:none">Technology User Group</a> (TUG) is rolling out the virtual red carpet for Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, the unmistakable voices behind Double Tap, a podcast for blind and partially sighted people to talk and learn about technology. These two presenters bring a rare mix of sharp insight, quick humor, and lived experience that turns accessibility from a technical topic into something lively, relatable, and genuinely fun.</p><p style="margin:0px 0px 15px;font-size:16px;line-height:1.4;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><strong style="font-weight:bold"><u>Checkmate! The Maryland LBPD Youth Chess Club</u></strong></p></div></div><blockquote style="margin:0 0 0 40px;border:none;padding:0px"><div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><p style="margin:0px 0px 15px;line-height:1.4;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Which chess piece is the most powerful on the board? Is it the Queen or the Knight? A question to ponder before our next session of the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD) Youth Chess Club. Come and learn about the game on Saturday, April 25, at 10:30 AM. Join Coach Marc as he introduces the fundamentals of play. Afterwards, stay and have lunch on us! Register here to be part of the fun for the next <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScARhwNAON_CZMewVK1Mfu1cI2qG9ExYtyspjw0iIBIafYkVA/viewform?usp=send_form&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank" title="Sign up for Chess Club" rel="noopener" style="color:rgb(32,57,157);text-decoration-line:none">Chess Club</a>.</p></div></div></blockquote><div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><p style="margin:0px 0px 15px;font-size:16px;line-height:1.4;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="text-decoration-line:underline;line-height:1.4"><strong style="font-weight:bold">Peabody String Sinfonia</strong></span></p><p style="margin:0px 0px 15px 30px;line-height:1.4;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">The Peabody String Sinfonia, a student-led conductorless orchestra, will perform at the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled on Saturday, April 25, at 1:00 PM. The group works together to create engaging performances and educational programs across Baltimore, building personal connections with their audiences. A light lunch will be served beforehand, so please <a href="https://marylandlibraries.libcal.com/calendar/ExternalCalendar/Peabody26?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank" title="Registration Link" rel="noopener" style="color:rgb(32,57,157);text-decoration-line:none">register in advance</a>.</p><p style="margin:0px 0px 15px;font-size:16px;line-height:1.4;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="text-decoration-line:underline;line-height:1.4"><strong style="font-weight:bold">Virtual Hike: Moderated Author Discussion</strong></span></p><p style="margin:0px 0px 15px 30px;line-height:1.4;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">On Thursday, April 23, at 6:00 p.m., <span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34)">join the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled for a special conversation presented in partnership with the Mexican Cultural Institute. Ofelia Montelongo will speak with patrons about the importance of Mexican literature and its role in sharing culture, history, and lived experience. The discussion will be moderated by Professor Manuel Cuéllar, who will help guide the conversation and audience engagement. <a href="https://marylandlibraries.libcal.com/calendar/ExternalCalendar/HikeAuthor">Registration</a> is required. </span></p><p style="margin:0px 0px 15px;font-size:16px;line-height:1.4;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="text-decoration-line:underline;line-height:1.4"><strong style="font-weight:bold">Virtual HIke: Inspiring Latinas/Latinos</strong></span></p><p style="margin:0px 0px 15px 30px;line-height:1.4;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">On Tuesday, April 28, at 6:00 p.m., educators from the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino will discuss the significant contributions of Mexican Americans featured in the book "Nuestra América: 30 Inspiring Latinas/Latinos Who Have Shaped the United States." This book features the inspiring stories of thirty Latinas and Latinos throughout history, showcasing their remarkable contributions to the United States' cultural, social, and political landscape. Presentation requires <a href="https://marylandlibraries.libcal.com/calendar/ExternalCalendar/HikeLatinoMuseum?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank" title="Registration Link" rel="noopener" style="color:rgb(32,57,157);text-decoration-line:none">registration</a>.</p></div><br clear="all"></div><div><br></div><span class="gmail_signature_prefix">-- </span><br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial;border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody><tr>
<td width="218" valign="top" style="width:76.5pt;border-top:none;border-bottom:none;border-left:none;border-right:1pt solid windowtext;padding:0in 5.4pt">
<p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal"><img src="https://msla.maryland.gov/PublishingImages/Logo%20with%20words%20under.png" width="96" height="83"><br></p>
</td>
<td width="234" valign="top" style="width:175.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt">
<p style="line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Ashley M. Biggs</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><br>
<i>Marketing & Outreach Librarian</i><br>Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled<br>Maryland State Library Agency<br>415 Park Avenue<br>Baltimore, Maryland 21201-3603<br>
<br>410-230-2430 (office) | 667-209-1563 (cell) | 410-333-2095 (fax)<br>
</span><a href="mailto:ashley.biggs1@maryland.gov" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(17,85,204)">ashley.biggs1@maryland.gov</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"></span></p>
<p style="line-height:normal"></p></td></tr></tbody></table><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16px"><br></span></font></div><div dir="ltr"><span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a href="https://msla.maryland.gov/Pages/LBPD.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(17,85,204);background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline">Click here</span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline"> to visit the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled website and sign up for weekly updates.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;vertical-align:baseline">Follow us on Social Media!</span></p><ul style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MDLBPD/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(17,85,204);background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline">Facebook</span></a></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a href="https://twitter.com/MDLBPD/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(17,85,204);background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline">X</span></a></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/marylandstatelibrary" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(17,85,204);background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline">LinkedIn</span></a></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/maryland_state_library/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(17,85,204);background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline">Instagram</span></a></p></li></ul></span></div><div><br></div><div><div><ul></ul></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>