The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) celebrated the completion of its renovation with a grand opening party on Nov. 17.
Participating in the event were representatives of blind consumer organizations, Library of Congress officials, NLS staff and former staff, contractors and neighbors of the 1291 Taylor St. N.W. building. They were treated to food and tours of the work and meeting areas, with a musical background.
Kenneth Jernigan, who spoke as president of the Friends of Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of North America, lauded the renovation for its symbolic significance, saying that it provides NLS with accommodations "commensurate with the value of services given. We view ourselves as others think and observe us," he said. "Library service is one of the most vital of all services to blind and physically handicapped people, and it should be housed and treated accordingly."
Mr. Jernigan, who is also the leader of the National Federation of the Blind -- the nation's largest organization of blind individuals -- affirmed support for the NLS staff, administration and director. "They are doing a first-class job," he said, "and we will not permit NLS to suffer because of economic problems. We intend to help it, to protect it, to support it and to use it -- and to criticize it when necessary."
Donald Curran, LC's associate librarian for Constituent Services, pointed to the unique nature of the NLS organization, declaring, "This is how you reinvent government." He described the organization as "a group venture." Congress provides books and equipment through NLS and state and local agencies administer the services, with participation from the private sector, volunteers and consumers. Mr. Curran also noted the participation of the General Services Administration, under whose auspices the building is leased and was renovated.
Also speaking on behalf of the Library were Suzanne Thorin, LC chief of staff, and Daniel P. Mulhollan, acting Deputy Librarian of Congress. Mr. Mulhollan, citing the volume of services provided by NLS, noted that "three-quarters of a million readers are served more than 20 million items a year."
Judith Dixon, NLS consumer relations officer, reviewed the many phases of the renovation.
Welcoming the visitors, F. Kurt Cylke, NLS director, summarized staff response to the renovation, exclaiming, "It's nearly heaven on earth!"
"Our new design reflects who we are and what we do," Mr. Cylke said. "It enhances the efficiency of our work and provides an inviting and hospitable environment for our staff and our many visitors."
Not only is the new configuration, with its entrance ramp and braille signage, accessible and efficient, but the decor reflects the history and culture of the Library of Congress and of service to blind and physically handicapped readers.
"We wished to affirm our history and identity, as well as incorporate new features," explained Cylke, adding that art pieces also help bridge the physical distance between the main Library complex on Capitol Hill and NLS's Northwest Washington location.
Visitors are greeted by a Library of Congress sign in giant letters, the Library seal, art reproduced from the Library's historic Jefferson Building and photomurals showing the Jefferson Building and a massive 30-by-8-foot aerial view of the city from above the Capitol.
Complementing the Library art is the unique "Book of Life" created in bronze for NLS from an original by blind sculptor Dario Malkowski.
The new Helen Keller conference room serves the director's office, providing space for visits by small groups and for contractors conferences. Beside its door hang pictures of Helen Keller and a framed archival program from her funeral ceremony. Inside, pictures of NLS cooperating libraries encircle the room.
The Thomas Alva Edison conference room, named for the man whose invention made talking books possible, is large enough to accommodate orientation and training groups. Inside are a picture of Edison and framed examples of braille equivalents of many alphabets.
Two large conference rooms are named to honor Rep. Ruth Pratt and Sen. Reed Smoot (authors of the legislation that created the Library of Congress's library service for the blind) and are used for advisory group meetings and for staff meetings.
The renovation provided the recording studio with more research space, which was decorated with a photograph of John Knight, an early narrator whose bequest funded the initial construction of the complex.
Enhancing the hospitable environment are nature murals and art prints throughout the hallways and in the lunchroom. The entire office area has been carpeted, an acoustical dropped ceiling has been installed, and new miniblinds have been hung in the windows of the perimeter offices. Separate work spaces are bounded by 5 1/2-foot partitions and fitted with new, coordinated furniture and shelving. Most sections have their own conference space, a secretarial-receptionist area and private cubicles for each staff member. The Quality Assurance area has five sound booths for specialists reviewing recorded books.
The Inventory Management and Engineering sections have added space for storage and for research and experimentation, respectively. There is also storage space for archival collections of all media, the music collection and a circulating collection of recent books for use by staff and local visitors. Compact shelving is used in most storage areas.
The environment throughout the building has been enhanced by a systems overhaul, including new boilers, air-handling units, electrical wiring, telephone lines and sprinkler system; upgrading of plumbing and fire alarm systems; and the removal of asbestos.
The renovation plan was based on the design of architect Charles Moss, whom NLS hired in 1980, when renovation planning began. It also reflects findings of a staff interaction analysis carried out under the direction of Mary Jack Wintle, former assistant director. The original plans were revised to accommodate modernization, especially the proliferation of computers. The final shaping of the renovation was coordinated by Marvine Wanamaker, assistant to the director, who managed day-to- day supervision of the work and incorporated changes based on emerging needs.
The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped dates from the signing of the Pratt-Smoot Act on March 3, 1931. This law appropriated money for the production of braille books to be circulated through libraries serving as regional centers and mandated the Librarian of Congress to carry out the service.
At first called "Project, Books for the Adult Blind," the service was administered by the director of the Library of Congress's Legislative Reference Division until 1935, and from 1935 to 1940 by the chief assistant librarian.
Between 1940 and 1944, service to blind readers was under the Reference Department, moving it to the third floor of the Adams Building. In 1944, functions of the service were separated and incorporated into several different Library of Congress departments. In 1946 the functions were again consolidated, and the Division of Books for the Adult Blind, later renamed Division for the Blind, was established. It remained in the Adams Building until 1967, when the division moved to Taylor Street.
Although the idea of "renovation" had been discussed seriously since 1978, when LC announced that NLS's 1967 move was to be permanent, it was not until 1991 that actual work began.
With the completion of the renovation, library service for blind and physically handicapped people ends a long odyssey from the Library's Capitol Hill buildings to "temporary" offsite quarters on Taylor Street. It also ends an extended provisional period during which staff improvised accommodations in the open space of the former trucking company warehouse.