Share Our Vision That All May Read Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped OLBPH Share Our Vision That All May Read DRS logo on bottom left corner of all slides

Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Kevin Treese, Director & Programs Manager ktreese@okdrs.gov Brian King, Public Information Officer bking@okdrs.gov

Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Why we exist: Many people need a different way to enjoy books, magazines and newspapers.

Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Why we exist: Many people need a different way to enjoy books, magazines and newspapers. Approx. 124,000 Oklahomans are blind or visually impaired (Source: American Foundation for the Blind)

Traditional Reading Materials Scattered photos of traditional reading material covers: books, Bible, magazines, cookbook and newspaper

Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Scattered photos of various digital audio cartridges

Not Your Traditional Library Photo of traditional library aisle with books on shelves on both sides and people sitting at study tables in the background

Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Photo of an OLBPH shelf with hundreds of cartridge mailing containers

174,259 total “Talking” books on cartridge Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped 29,405 titles 174,259 total “Talking” books on cartridge Photo of an OLBPH shelf with hundreds of cartridge mailing containers

Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped The OLBPH serves people of all ages who are unable to access standard print materials because of blindness, visual impairment, physical disability or reading disability due to organic dysfunction.

The OLBPH is a regional library within the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) network, an extension of the Library of Congress. Illustration of open book and caption “nls, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. That All May Read. www.loc.gov/ThatAllMayRead”

Great Beginnings The free library service was established by an Act of Congress (Pratt-Smoot) in 1931 to provide blind adults with books in an embossed format (braille). The Act was amended in 1934 to include sound recordings (talking books), expanded in 1952 to include children’s books, and again in 1966 to include individuals with physical limitations that prevent the reading of regular print.

Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Myth #1: “Library for the Blind,” so that must mean totally blind or at least legally blind

Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Who Qualifies? Legally blind – better eye has acuity of 20/200 or worse and/or peripheral vision is less than 20 degrees. Visually impaired – unable to read regular print, even with correction, due to eye disease or other vision loss. Also: physical limitations, certain reading disabilities, and deaf-blindness.

Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Who Qualifies? Conditions are certified by authorities such as doctors, registered nurses, therapists, and professional staff of hospitals, senior care facilities and public or private welfare agencies. Certification can also be made by professional librarians. The one exception is reading disability, which can only be certified by a medical doctor.

How We “Fit In” & Operate (Organizational Structure) Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped How We “Fit In” & Operate (Organizational Structure) OK Dept. of Rehabilitation Services Empowering people with disabilities Vocational Rehab counseling & instruction Common goals: equal access for all & quality of life We’re your partners in our helping profession

Patrons have to pay for this. Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Myth #2: $$$ Patrons have to pay for this. Photo of paper money and coins forming a wave shape

Patrons have to pay for this. All services are FREE to users: Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Myth #2: $$$ Patrons have to pay for this. All services are FREE to users: No fees, no postage charges.

The Application Process Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped The Application Process Applications available on www.olbph.org Click on “APPLY” tab Fillable PDF, but still must be printed to include handwritten signature from Certifying Authority Illustration of open book and caption “Talking Books, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped”

Digital Talking Book (DTB) Player, Cartridge and Mailer Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Digital Talking Book (DTB) Player, Cartridge and Mailer Photo of digital talking book player and open mailing container with cartridge of “Tom Sawyer” audiobook.

Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped DTB Player Controls Photo of digital talking book player with labels and arrows pointing to machine’s features

Braille and Audio Reading Download Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped BARD Braille and Audio Reading Download Photo of woman sitting on boat, holding smartphone & using earbuds

Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Some BARD Facts 86,419 audio and 17,233 Braille products available Oklahoma patrons downloaded 60,177 audio and 1,072 Braille products in 2017 Also…There’s an app for that! iOS and Android devices emulate DTB player Photo of BARD display on iPhone

Some OLBPH Circulation Facts (2017) Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Some OLBPH Circulation Facts (2017) 4,797 patrons served by OLBPH 150,636 digital books circulated (603/day) 12% of OLBPH patrons are BARD users Duplication on Demand

Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Studio Productions Oklahoma Today / Cowboys and Indians Books for collection (Okla. topics & authors) Also agency needs and special projects

Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Oklahoma Telephone Reader (OTR) Features local articles of interest, sales ads and obituaries from the Oklahoman, Tulsa World and newspapers from other Oklahoma towns. Managed by OLBPH; most reading by volunteers NFB (National Federation of the Blind) Newsline Features national and international newspapers and magazines, TV listings and Job Line

Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped AIM Center (Accessible Instructional Materials) Helps meet the educational needs of Oklahoma students who are unable to use standard print by providing textbooks and other instructional materials in Braille, large print, and assistive technology. Public, private, charter and home schools

Share Our Vision That All May Read Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Questions? Share Our Vision That All May Read

Historical Bonus From the Library of Congress: History of the Cylinder Phonograph Ever practical and visionary, Thomas Edison offered the following possible future uses for the phonograph in North American Review in June 1878: Letter writing and all kinds of dictation without the aid of a stenographer. Phonographic books, which will speak to blind people without effort on their part. The teaching of elocution. Reproduction of music. The "Family Record"-- a registry of sayings, reminiscences, etc., by members of a family in their own voices, and of the last words of dying persons. (Plus five others)

Share Our Vision That All May Read Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Visit our website at www.olbph.org Send email to olbph@okdrs.gov Call reception at (405) 521-3514 Share Our Vision That All May Read

Share Our Vision That All May Read Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Thank you! Share Our Vision That All May Read