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 study provides data on the relative effectiveness of library service to the blind and physically handicapped in two adjoining metropolitan counties in Michigan. Oakland County is served by a subregional program located in a local public library while Macomb County is served by the more remote Michigan Regional Library for the Blind and…

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…

This report is a state-of-the-network summary of the data collected for a systematic application of the standards developed by the American Library Association in 1979 to the agencies involved in a cooperative network by the Library of Congress, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS). Based on a synthesis of the…

Based on principles and methods tested by library systems serving nonhandicapped readers, this list of international standards was developed to further the establishment of a national bibliograhpic center in each country that would build a national union catalog founded on information from libraries and producers about existing and new materials…

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 survey was conducted in 1979 to determine the state of public library service to physically handicapped persons (persons with visual, hearing, or mobility impairments). Usable returns were received from: (1) 398 public libraries that serve populations of more than 25,000 and are not network libraries of the Library of Congress National Library…

Designed to facilitate communications in future automation projects between library and data processing personnel, especially those projects involving the use of automated systems in the service of disabled patrons, this guide identifies and describes a master set of major circulation system requirements and design considerations, and illustrates…

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…

Based on observations made at the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) on September 8, 9, and 10, 1982 and on documents supplied by NLS, this report compares standards published in the 1979 document entitled "Standards of Service for the Library of Congress Network of Libraries for the Blind and Physically…

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,…