1. 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

2. Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Kevin Treese, Director & Programs Manager
Brian King, Public Information Officer

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

4. 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)

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

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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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.

19. The Application Process
Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
The Application Process
Applications available on
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”

20. 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.

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

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

29. 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)

30. Share Our Vision That All May Read
Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Visit our website at
Send to
Call reception at (405)
Share Our Vision That All May Read

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