WIXLIB

Pennsylvania Regional Librariesfor the Blind and Physically HandicappedAre you unable to read standard-sized print because of vision limitations?Do you know someone who is physically unable to hold a book or turn pages? Isyour reading disability physically based? If so, welcome to the world of talkingbooks . . . and more! This packet describes our unique services and provides anapplication to get you started.With the cooperation of authors and publishers, books and magazinesare produced in audio and Braille formats. The library lends these as well aslarge print books. These materials are sent to and from registered readers inspecially-marked postage-free containers by a nationwide network of RegionalLibraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. The Pittsburgh RegionalLibrary provides all of Pennsylvania with audio materials. The PhiladelphiaRegional Library provides all of Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia withBraille. Both the Pittsburgh Library and the Philadelphia Library also providelarge print books for their half of Pennsylvania. Nearly 170,000 books and morethan 90 magazines are available through the network. New books are addedand announced regularly. Magazine titles range from Good Housekeeping toNational Geographic and, for younger readers, magazine offerings include Cricketand Sports Illustrated Kids.Operation of the Pennsylvania Regional Libraries is funded byCommonwealth Libraries of Pennsylvania, a department of the PennsylvaniaDepartment of Education. Audio recordings, playback equipment, and Braillematerials are provided by the National Library Service for the Blind and PhysicallyHandicapped of the Library of Congress. Large print books are purchased by theRegional Libraries via donations. The U.S. Postal Service is federally funded toprovide free postage privileges for mailing such materials.ServicesDigital Books and Magazines. Our audio books and magazines require aspecial player which is available on free loan. BARD (Braille and Audio ReadingDownload) also offers audio books and magazines for download using a computeror an iOS device such as an iPhone. Audio accessories are also available.Braille Books and Magazines. Available for all ages. The children’s Braillecollection includes print / Braille combinations. BARD also offers Braille booksand magazines for download using a computer or an iOS device.Large Print Books. These are printed in larger than normal type.public libraries lend large print books as well.ManyPage1

Who is eligible?The Pennsylvania Regional Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicappedprovide services to the following individuals: Blind persons whose visual acuity, as determined by a competentauthority, is 20 / 200 or less in the better eye with correcting lenses, orwhose widest diameter of visual field subtends an angular distance nogreater than 20 degrees. Persons whose visual disability, with correction and regardlessof optical measurement, is certified by a competent authority aspreventing the reading of regular printed material. Persons certified by a competent authority as unable to read or unableto use regular printed material as a result of physical limitations. Persons certified by a competent authority as having a readingdisability resulting from organic dysfunction and of sufficient severityto prevent their reading printed material in a conventional manner.Hospitals, nursing homes, senior centers, schools or other facilities serving personswith visual or physical disabilities may also register with the library.Who may certify?To apply for free library services from the Pennsylvania Libraries for the Blindand Physically Handicapped, simply complete the following application. Yourapplication must be certified by a competent authority, meaning it must besigned by one of the persons described below.In the case of visual or physical disability, a competent authority is definedto include physician; osteopath; ophthalmologist; optometrist; registered nurse;therapist; professional staff of hospitals, institutions, and public or welfareagencies (e.g., social worker, case worker, counselor, rehabilitation teacher,or superintendent). In the absence of these, certification may be made bya professional librarian or by any person whose competence under specificcircumstances is acceptable to the Library of Congress. In the case of a readingdisability from organic dysfunction, competent authority is defined as doctorsof medicine and doctors of osteopathy who may consult with colleagues inassociated disciplines.Once completed, send your application to us via mail, fax, or email.The return information is at the bottom of the next page.Page2

APPLICATIONMaleIndividualFemaleFirst NameBirthdateFacilityMiddle InitialLast NameEmailCheck here to receive our email newsletterStreet or Box / Route NumberCityPhone (StateZip) CountyIf you cannot reach me for an extended period, you may contact:NamePhone ()I have been honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States.By law, preference in the lending of books and equipment is given to veterans.To be completed by certifying authorityI certify that the applicant named is unable to use standard printed material due to:Physical disabilityBlindnessReading disabilityDeaf-blindnessVisual disabilityApplications for persons with blindness, visual impairment, or physical disabilitymust be signed by (other than a member of the applicant’s family) one of thefollowing: physician; osteopath; ophthalmologist; optometrist; registered nurse;therapist; professional staff of hospitals, institutions, and public or welfareagencies (e.g., social worker, case worker, counselor, rehabilitation teacher, orsuperintendent). In the absence of these, certification may be made by a professionallibrarian or by any person whose competence under specific circumstances is acceptableto the Library of Congress. Applications for persons with reading disability must besigned by a doctor of medicine or a doctor of osteopathy.SignatureDateName (please print)TitleAgency)Phone (Street or Box / Route NumberCityStateZipPlease return to Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Library for the Blind and PhysicallyHandicapped, 4724 Baum Boulevard, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213-1389;telephone: 800-242-0586; fax: 412-687-2442; email: lbph@carnegielibrary.orgPage3

SERVICES AND EQUIPMENTI understand that if I no longer need materials from the Regional Library, Imust return all equipment and accessories.Digital audio books and / or magazines.Number of books by mail?Digital books and magazines require our free player that operates by electricity orrechargeable battery pack.Standard digital player. This machine has eight controls and includesbuilt-in audio instructions.Advanced digital player. This machine has five additional controls thatenable bookmarking and navigating book levels.Downloadable books and magazines. Called BARD, this service can beused in conjunction with the digital player and / or an iOS device.Braille books and / or magazines.Number of books by mail?Braille is provided by the Philadelphia Library for the Blind and Physically Handicappedthrough the mail. We will notify them of your interest. Electronic Braille is availablethrough BARD.Described Videos.These DVDs have a menu option for audio description. With this option, a narratordescribes visual aspects of the movie. Described videos are only available toindividual readers.Playaways.A Playaway is a small pre-loaded digital audio book. Playaways require a singleAAA battery and a pair of headphones or earbuds. Playaways are only available toindividual readers.Large print books.These books with larger-than-standard type are only available to individual readers.ACCESSORIES FOR EQUIPMENTThese may help with audio listening:Headphones are available for readers who need them to use the service.Digital Talking Book Cartridge Cables enable readers to connect a blank digitalcartridge to a computer USB port to transfer BARD audio files to the cartridge.We will send a special application for the following:Breath Switch Adapter / Remote Control helps readers who have severely limiteduse of their hands.Amplifier aids readers with a severe hearing impairment.Page4

OTHER ACCESSORIESTalking Currency Readers are offered through the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Thereaders come in a compact design and identify U.S. paper currency from one up to onehundred dollar bills. Currency readers are available only to the visually impaired. Formore information, call the Bureau at 844-815-9388.PUBLICATIONSTalking Book Topics is a bimonthly publication that lists newly available audio books.You will automatically receive it based on the services that you select. Please indicatethe format you prefer.Digital CartridgeLarge PrintNeither, I will download or view onlineNEWSPAPERSThe National Federation of the Blind (NFB) provides Newsline, a service that allowspatrons to listen to newspapers over the phone. For more information, call at NFB866-504-7300.AUDIO MAGAZINESAvailable to individual readers.Facility residents may receive magazines if registered as individuals.American HistoryAnalog Science Fiction and FactAsimov’s Science FictionAtlantic MonthlyBon AppétitConsumer ReportsContemporary SoundtrackDas Beste aus Reader’s Digest*(German)Diabetes ForecastDiscoverEbonyEconomistEllery Queen’s Mystery MagazineForeign AffairsFrance-Amérique (French)Good HousekeepingHealth and Nutrition NewslettersHorticultureMagazine of the MonthMoneyMusical MainstreamNationNational GeographicNational ReviewNew York Times Book ReviewOutdoor LifePeoplePeople en Español (Spanish)QSTQuarterly Music MagazineSound & VisionSports IllustratedTravel & LeisureTrue WestVanidades (Spanish)The WeekWiredWriterI would like to receive a Magazine List that describes each magazine listed above.I would like to receive information on magazines, like Reader’s Digest* in Englishand Newsweek, available in various formats from sources other than the library.Page5

READER INTEREST SURVEYI would like books on the following topics:Adventure / ThrillerAfrican American InterestAgingAnimals / NatureArt / ArchitectureBest-sellers (Fiction / Non-Fiction)Biography / Personal NarrativeBusiness / ainmentEthnic / Minority ExperiencespecifyFamilyFantasy / FolkloreForeign LanguagespecifyHealthspecifyHistorical FictionHistoryHobbiesspecifyHome ManagementHumorInspirational (Fiction / Non-Fiction)LiteratureModern WritingMusic (Books on music and musicians)MysteryOccult / HorrorPhilosophyPlaysPoetryPsychologyRegional Interest (PA, OH, WV, etc.)specifyReligionspecifyRomanceScience FictionScience / TechnologyShort StoriesSocial IssuesSports / RecreationTravelWarWesternsI am also interested in these topics (examples: parenting, fishing, gardening, Amish fiction,World War II, diabetes, politics, etc.) And these are some of my favorite authors.Many books, especially best-sellers, contain strong language, explicit descriptions of sex,and / or graphic violence.I will accept strong language.I will accept explicit descriptions of sex.I will accept graphic descriptions of violence.YesYesYesNoNoNoYOUNG READER INTEREST SURVEY may be found in the next section.Page6