STATEHOUSE CALENDAR
Calendar
Library Service for the Blind exhibit
Print Disabled and Ohio Talking Book Program Display
 
Ohio teens using Talking Book player. circa 1980s.
Time
May 5 - July 7

Location
South House Hallway
The Ohio Statehouse
1 Capitol Square
Columbus, OH 43215

Description

The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled was established on March 3, 1931, when President Herbert Hoover signed the Pratt-Smoot Act, which established what is now known as NLS, and its nationwide network of libraries. Today, that network serves residents of all 50 states and US territories, plus US citizens overseas. 

 

The display will include state and federal publications from the State Library of Ohio collection highlighting legislative milestones for how the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled began and progressed over time. Items in the display will feature the evolution of services and collections such as braille books, and advances in audio reading players and formats. Talking Book players from books on phonographic albums, to cassette players and tapes, to today’s digital options will be displayed. 

 

The State Library of Ohio Talking Book Program acts as the machine lending agency loaning equipment and accessories to eligible participants for the State of Ohio. Equipment available includes digital talking book players in standard and advanced models, as well as player accessories such as headphones, flash drive elbow adapters, breath switch, and a specialized high-volume player and headphones for patrons with significant hearing loss. 

 

Braille and books on USB flash drives are circulated by the Ohio Library for the Blind and Print Disabled in Cleveland. The Ohio Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (OLBPD) is part of the Cleveland Public Library. Funding is provided by a combination of federal, state and local funds.

 

The State Library is a Congressionally-designated depository for U.S. Government Publications. Public access to government documents collections is guaranteed by public law (Title 44 United States Code). The State Library is also the official Ohio government documents depository and houses the largest collection of Ohio’s state publications in the United States. The library receives and makes available state government publications as mandated by ORC 149.11.

 

This exhibit is courtesy of the State Library of Ohio.