Under the administration of the Library of Congress, local and regional libraries cooperate in the talking book program by distributing books and magazines, as well as audio equipment, to the visually handicapped. (LS)

This paper describes playback equipment provided by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped's Talking Books program. The history of these machines is reviewed from 1933 to the present and includes activities during World War II, the introduction of flexible discs and cassettes, descriptions of a variety of machines…

Describes a three-year plan and a system study designed to produce a computerized union catalog and an in-process file for both the Library of Congress Division for the Blind and Physically Handicapped and a network of almost 200 libraries throughout the nation. (Author/PF)

This segment of a series of studies to ascertain the degree to which visually impaired persons use the programs of the Library of Congress National Library Service for the blind and physically handicapped (NLS) describes current issues of concern to the network of local and state libraries serving the target group. Five major issues are examined:…

The purpose of these Guidelines is to provide libraries for the blind and those who work in them with a broad overview of matters to be considered in planning and implementing an integrated digital library system. The Guidelines are not intended to provide technical solutions. Given the pace of technological change, solutions can only be developed…

This evaluation of the use of volunteers in the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) had five objectives: (1) to determine all categories of tasks currently performed by volunteers for network programs and to estimate the amount of time spent on each category by volunteers on a yearly basis; (2) to assess the…

In order to develop a profile of the readership served by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), and to identify readers' interests and concerns as an aid to future program planning, a users survey was conducted during the autumn of 1979. After a questionnaire was designed and tested, NLS members were surveyed…

Designed to ensure that all Library of Michigan/Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (LM/LBPH) network libraries provide uniform, quality service to patrons in their service areas, these standards will serve both as the basis for a formal written agreement between each of the 12 network libraries and LM/LBPH, and as a minimum…

The first part of this directory of National Library Service (NLS) resources for the blind and physically handicapped lists NLS network libraries and machine-lending agencies, arranged alphabetically by state. The information for each library includes its address, telephone and fax numbers, librarian, hours of operation, book and special…

A study was conducted to determine if the centralization of playback machine operations for the national free library program would be feasible, economical, and desirable. An alternative model of playback machine services was constructed and compared with existing network operations considering both cost and service. The alternative model was…

Directed towards library staff members involved in public education, this manual provides guidelines for making community members aware of talking books and braille materials provided by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Guidelines are presented in three categories: (1) media relations, (2) preparing materials,…

Objectives of this study were: (1) to review existing library service to the blind and physically handicapped who are unable to use conventional printed materials, concentrating on braille and talking books for non-institutionalized persons, and (2) to suggest approaches to long-term planning for improved services in California, authorized by…

The contents of this report include the following: The Report of the Director who gives background information and discusses the Library Systems Act, services to State Government, and public library construction. The Administrative Division reports on services to library divisions, data processing services, office services and expenditures. The…

The 1974 National Conference for Librarians for the Blind and Physically Handicapped was held May 13-16 in Washington, D.C. This report summarizes and answers the questions raised there on such topics as: (1) regulations on the use of materials; (2) copyright, free mailing privileges, and general postal regulations; (3) procurement, distribution,…

This document lists resources for the blind and physically handicapped in National Library Service (NLS) network libraries and machine-lending agencies, arranged alphabetically by state. Within each state, the regional library appears first, followed by subregional libraries (in any) listed alphabetically by city. In several states, two regional…