| Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped |
| Free Library of Philadelphia |
Free access to some full text databases, the Internet, and word processing are now available for individuals with visual impairments. There is a charge for printing or braille embossing. There is also a nominal charge for a computer diskette if you would like to save your documents for future updates.
In addition to the workstations at the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, the following locations of the Free Library of Philadelphia have Access Technology Workstations. An appointment is recommended.
Andorra Branch
215-685-2552
Central Library
General Information Department
215-686-5322
Independence Branch
215-685-1633
Joseph E. Coleman-Northwest Regional
215-685-2150
Northeast Regional Library
215-685-0500
South Philadelphia Branch
215-685-1866
West Philadelphia Regional Library
215-685-7424
We love when you send us your reading requests. The more titles on your request lists the better the chances of getting what you want when you want it. We do need you to remember to put your name and address or stick your name and address label on the list before you mail it to us because we serve thousands of patrons. We want to serve you better.
Web Braille is a web based service that provides in any electronic format, many braille books and all braille magazines produced by NLS (National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped).
Copyright laws require that access to Web Braille be limited to NLS patrons and eligible institutions such as schools for the blind, public and private schools serving blind children and nonprofit organizations whose primary purpose is the production of braille books.
To register for Web Braille, please call us at 1-800-222-1754 or 215-683-3213.
The Philadelphia Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) pilot is now available on our web site. A link to this catalog can be found at http://lbph.library.phila.gov. This catalog lists recorded cassettes and discs, braille, and large print books available from us. You may search this catalog by Author, Title, Word in Title, Subject, or Narrator.
Anyone can search the OPAC. However, only registered patrons of the Philadelphia Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped can borrow books through the OPAC. Registered patrons should contact the Library at 1-800-222-1754 or 215-683-3213 in order to receive a User ID and Password necessary to borrow books through the OPAC.
The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped recognizes doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, ophthalmologists, optometrists, registred nurses, therapists and professional staff of hospitals, institutions and public or private social services agencies (i.e. social workers, caseworkers counselors, rehabilitation teachers, superintendents, nurse practitioners and physician assistants as "competent authority" for certifying eligibility of potential patrons of the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. They can certify eligibility for blindness, visual impairment and physical handicaps. In cases of reading disability, the competent authority is still restricted to doctors of medicine and doctors of osteopathy.
Newsline is a service sponsored by the National Federation for the Blind that offers over the telephone, several newspapers from around the United States. Recently added to the collection of newspapers read over the telephone are the Philadelphia Daily News and the Philadelphia Inquirer. You must be a registered patron with the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped to sign up and get a password to receive this service. Like a magazine subscription, it takes a few weeks to receive the service. Please call us for more information or to get your password.
Cassette books and magazines account for most of the service that our patrons receive from the regional library. Many of our readers are confused about the formatting of these recordings. To help, we have included step by step procedures to make sure you hear the whole story.
Cassette books in green containers come recorded with up to four individual tracks on each cassette. They also come recorded at 15/16 ips, a speech that is slower than commercial cassettes. The cassettes are numbered in print and in braille on the odd numbers 1, 3, 5, 7,9 and blank on the even-numbered sides 2, 4, 6, 8, 10. The numbering sequence is always 1, 5, 9, 13, 17, 21 and so on because each cassette will have up to four tracks recorded on it. Playing a four track cassette involved listening to the first two sides of the cassette with the side selector switch in the 1-2 or left-hand position and the second two tracks with the side selector switch in the 3-4 or right-hand position. You will need to continue on the next cassette by placing the side selector switch to the left-hand position. Here are the step-by-step instructions.
To assist you further, each books begins with the narrator telling you how many pages on how many sides the book will contain. He will also instruct you how to proceed with the book at the end of each side.
National Exhibits by Blind Artists (nebaart.org) has been selected by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts to be included in its 2001 Keystones of Accessibility publication. The guide highlights twenty of Pennsylvania's arts organizations and programs that are bringing the arts to people of all ages and abilities. NEBA is in the early planning stages of its thirtieth anniversary exhibit in another year. Also, NEBA is celebrating the donation of a major gift of paintings from Carmelo Gannello, a NEBA artist who has participated in exhibits since 1975.
Despite the cold and all the snow we had in Philadelphia, our adult students have made it a priority to get to class. By now they are well aware that the new GED test will require their full attention and a vast amount of effort. However, some students are simply unable to venture out in inclement weather due to illness or difficulty getting around. We look forward to the return of these students and to warmer days.
Once again, we ask that anyone who received his or her GED through this program get in touch with us. We would like to add a copy of your diploma to our growing collection on our wall. If you have any questions about this effort or about the program, contact Jill Gross at 215-683-3213 or e-mail her at saluki@shellworld.net.
Organizations across the country come together to celebrate the 28th annual National Volunteer Week held April 27 - May 3, 2003. As we celebrate national volunteer week we applaud the tireless work of all of our volunteers. In addition to heightening awareness for community service, Volunteer Week is a tradition that allows us to show appreciation to the people giving time to the community. Some of the week's activities will include a breakfast and a pizza party for our younger volunteers.
You too can make a difference by volunteering. You do not have to give a huge amount of time. Whether you participate weekly or in your spare time, your effort will help to improve the quality of service that the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped provides to its patrons.
If you are interested in giving some of your time, please consider contacting our volunteer office at 1-800-222-1754.
Celebrate!
Commonwealth Libraries, under the direction of Gary Wolfe, State Library Commissioner, has presented the two Pennsylvania Regional Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, with funding to purchase Dodge Caravans for the eastern and western parts of the State. These outreach vans, designed to be "mini LBPHs" will allow each Library to target areas outside of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia metropolitan regions. These vans will bring a "personal touch tour" to senior centers, hospitals, retirement communities, schools, and social service organizations. Since Pennsylvania has the second largest growth of older individuals in the United States, senior citizens will be the major focus of this outreach campaign.
In tune with the current fiscal environment, the theme of the biennial Northern Conference of Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped is "Doing More with Less." Library staff from Maine to West Virginia, linked as the National Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) Network, will meet in Philadelphia on April 30, 2003 - May 2, 2003.
NLS staff will participate providing updates and the newest information on the transition plans for a digital collection of audio books. A pre-conference will be held at the New Jersey Library for the Blind and Handicapped will focus on "The Art of Audio Book Production" scheduled for April 29, 2003.