Blind & Physically Handicapped
Alabama Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (BPH)
BPH is a focal point in Alabama for library services to blind, visually impaired, and physically handicapped citizens. This specialized area of library services uses custom-designed facilities, trained staff and unique equipment to meet their reading needs. This division through a cooperative network within the Library of Congress/National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped brings special format reading materials, playback equipment and other library resources to qualifying users. Free mailing privileges are provided by the United States Post Office. There is no charge for any part of the service.
Persons unable to use standard print material due a visual or physical disability qualify for these unique services. Whether a temporary or permanent loss, the disability must impact on a person's ability to see or use reading material in the traditional sense. Qualifying physical disabilities include blindness, low vision, arthritis, paralysis, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Reading disabilities resulting from organic dysfunction such as dyslexia qualify also.
Applications are available upon request for persons or institutions who meet the qualifications as designated by the National Library Service (NLS). For visual and physical disabilities, certification can be made by a medical doctor, a doctor of osteopathy, ophthalmologist, optometrist, registered nurse, social worker, caseworker, rehabilitation teacher, etc. In the case of a reading disability, certification can only be made by a medical doctor or a doctor of osteopathy. An institution (i.e., nursing home, school, or hospital) can provide these services to their clients who qualify. In this case, certification must come from the administrator of the facility or program.
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This unique library serves the recreational and basic informational needs of patrons in sixty of Alabama's sixty-seven counties by offering books in cassette and record formats. Braille titles are available to patrons in sixty-four of the state's counties. Other users obtain their materials through one of the five subregional libraries located in Anniston, Dothan, Huntsville, Talladega and Tuscaloosa. BPH serves 4,000 Alabamians directly with another 1,300 being served through the subregional libraries.
The collection includes over 5,000 books in record format (RDs); 28,500 books in cassette format (RCs) and 9,400 titles in braille format (BRs). In addition, 300 titles related to Alabama or by Alabama authors have been produced locally in cassette format (RECs) . The library's total holdings of 256,000 include best sellers, mysteries, romances, westerns, religious fiction, non-fiction and much more. In addition, most popular magazines are available in at least one of these formats. Books are selected by the patron or by an assigned reader advisor from various subject catalogs utilizing each patron's personal reading profile. Patrons may call the library using the toll-free number or mail selections to the library. Cooperative lending with other related facilities allows for interlibrary loans of recorded titles not available through the NLS holdings.
In order to use these special format materials, each
patron is provided a record player and/or a cassette player at no charge.
In order to keep the equipment, a patron must read at least one book per
year per machine. In addition to this playback equipment, there are also
headphones, pillow phones, extension levers, amplifiers and remote controls
available. Some restrictions apply as to the use of these items.
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Volunteers make significant contributions to the areas of circulation services, machine repair, and duplication. In circulation, volunteers help with the shipping and receiving of the record collection, the inventory of new cassette titles, and mass mailings. Pioneers from BellSouth and AT&T are trained to evaluate and repair returned equipment. Other volunteers work to duplicate magazines on cassette or book titles.
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Tours are available for large and small groups of all ages to visit this unique facility. We encourage library patrons to visit us when in Montgomery or pick up materials from us. Groups that have seen the facility include public and private school classes, day care children, college classes, consumer groups, and public librarians. Call to schedule an appointment or to order materials for a pickup.
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The subregional libraries which operate cooperatively with BPH to meet their patrons needs house much smaller book collections. Four of the five subregional libraries are located within public libraries and serve patrons only from their county. These are located in Anniston, Dothan, Huntsville, and Tuscaloosa. The fifth subregional library is located in the Resource Center of the Alabama Institute for the Blind in Talladega. This library serves patrons in a tri-county area (Coosa, St. Clair, and Talladega) and houses a braille collection as well as the recorded titles. Contact us for more information.
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This branch of the Library of Congress is responsible for the network of libraries which today consist of 56 regional libraries and 86 subregional libraries which serve eligible citizens of the United States of America. Through a cooperative effort with the American Library Association/Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies, a set of guidelines and standards assures consistent service among the various libraries. It is responsible for the selection, recording and distribution of the special format materials, as well as the playback equipment and accessories needed to enjoy them. For more information contact them or find their web page at http://lcweb.loc.gov/nls or http://www.loc.gov/nls .
For inquiries, please contact the following persons:
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BPH CONTACTS - CIRCULATION SERVICES
Applications / General Information
fzaleski@apls.state.al.us
Patrons
sclements@apls.state.al.us
mcoleman@apls.state.al.us
Machines/Magazines
msims@apls.state.al.us
Duplication Services
fzaleski@apls.state.al.us
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