Michigan’s Braille and Talking Book Library Named #1 in the Nation by Library of Congress; Wins Top Honor

By The Ann Arbor Independent Editorial Team On Jun 27, 2015 0

by Jeannie Vogel

FOR THE MORE than 11,000 patrons who use the Braille and Talking Book Library (BTBL), it’s no surprise it took top honors by winning the 11th Annual Network Library of the Year Award from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress. The prestigious award commends excellence, innovation, and special achievement in providing library service to individuals who are blind or have a physical disability. It was presented at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. on Friday, June 19, 2015.

“We want to ensure that citizens who are unable to use standard print materials have easy access to the library’s comprehensive resources so that all may read,” said Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) Director Mike Zimmer. “Receiving this national award is an honor and validates our library’s dedication to service excellence and commitment to serving more people in the years to come.”

Currently, there are more than 228,000* citizens in Michigan with a prevalence for vision loss and that number is expected to increase as baby boomers age.

Operating under the auspices of the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) in LARA, the library loans books and magazines in braille and audio formats to those who qualify, free of charge. This includes popular fiction and nonfiction, best sellers, how-to books, and talking book versions of magazines and foreign language materials. The BTBL is located on the first floor of the Michigan Library and Historical Center in downtown Lansing.

“It was a year of positive change and reorganization that will enable us to serve more people,” said BSBP Director Edward Rodgers. “We are proud of our achievements that benefits our current and future patrons.”

According to Director Rodgers, the library centralized its circulation of braille and talking books for patrons; tripled its attendance at outreach events; grew the number of public library demonstrations by 86 percent; and increased participation in the library’s summer reading program by more than 300 percent.

BSBP Director Rodgers emphasized key points about the library:

currently serves 11,459 patrons
circulated 607,856 braille and talking books in 2014
circulates an average of 2,000 books per day
has 51,448 titles available in audio format
has 11,690 titles available in braille

Nominations for the award were evaluated on such criteria as: support of its mission in reaching or exceeding the American Library Association Standards and Guidelines of Service; creativity and innovation in developing new services or marketing of existing services; and record of reader satisfaction. The selection committee included the chief of the NLS Network Division; one representative from each of three consumer groups (American Council of the Blind, Blinded Veterans Association, and National Federation of the Blind); and two representatives from public libraries.

The BTBL received a $1,000 cash prize, a framed certificate for the BTBL and the BSBP, and is noted on a traveling plaque which is returned to NLS after one year for presentation to the next award winner.

The Network Library Awards were created in 2004 by the NLS to recognize outstanding accomplishments of the more than 100 libraries serving people with visual and physical disabilities across the country and in U.S. territories.

The BTBL is one of 57 regional libraries nationwide in the Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped network, lending braille books, Talking Books, and audio playback equipment to patrons without charging any fees. Books are available by digital download or by USPS Free Matter mailing, without shipping charges. Patrons can call toll-free to consult with library reader advisors to request titles in the format best suited to their needs.

The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons provides training and other services for individuals who are blind or visually impaired to achieve employment and/or independence in the careers of their choice.

For more information about or to apply for BTBL resources, call toll-free (800) 992-9012 or visit www.michigan.gov/bsbp and click on the link titled Braille and Talking Book Library, then “Application.”

For more information about BSBP visit www.michigan.gov/bsbp or call toll-free: 1-800-292-4200, TTY 888-864-1212.