Resources and Services from the NJ State Library Talking Book and Braille Center
1. Resources and Services From the
New Jersey State Library
Talking Book and Braille Center
Special Child Health Services (SCHS)
Case Management Unit
March 6, 2012
Elizabeth Burns
Jen Servello
5. NLS: A History
• 1931, Pratt-Smoot Act: books for blind adults
– Established library
– Established funding
• 1952, Blind children
• 1966, Visual or physical disability
• 1966, Chafee Amendment
– Copyright exception for books
6. Chafee Amendment
• Reproduce or distribute copies
• Of previously published nondramatic literary
works
• In specialized formats
• Exclusively for use by the blind or other
persons with disabilities
9. • Residents of the United States
• Citizens of the United States who live abroad
• All ages
• And . . .
10. Vision
• Blind
– 20/200 or less with correcting lenses
– widest diameter of visual field subtends an
angular distance no greater than 20 degrees
• Low Vision:
– Cannot read standard newspaper print
11. Physical
• Cannot hold a book
• Cannot turn the pages of a book
• Examples:
– loss of hands or arms
– paralysis
– cerebral palsy
– arthritis
12. Reading Disabilities
• Limited to those with a physical basis
• www.loc.gov/nls/reference/factsheets/readin
gdisabilities.html
14. Blindness, Vision, Physical:
• Doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy
• Ophthalmologists, optometrists
• Registered nurses, therapists
• Professional staff of hospitals, institutions,
and public or private welfare agencies (e.g.,
social workers, case workers, counselors,
rehabilitation teachers, and superintendents).
• And…
15. Blind, Vision, Physical
• In the absence of any of these, certification
may be made by professional librarians or by
any person whose competence under specific
circumstances is acceptable to the Library of
Congress.
16. Reading Disability
• doctors of medicine
• doctors of osteopathy
– who may consult with colleagues in associated
disciplines
17. • Apply for services:
http://njsltbbc.org/application
• Repeats definitions for eligibility
• Includes list of people who may certify
• Only by mail
• Original signatures
– Clearly identify yourself
18. Application
• Name
• Address
• Age
• Materials
• Selection & sending materials
– Frequency
– Subjects
– Sex, violence, strong language
19. What is Available
• “In specialized formats”
– Braille
– Audiobooks
• Machine to listen to audiobooks
• Large Print
– Children’s and teen books
25. Large Print
• Newspapers: 8 point
• Adult books: 10 to 12 point
• Minimum size large print: 14 point
• Typical large print: 16 to 18 point
26. Children’s Books
• Novels: 10 to 12 point
• Middle Grade: 14 point
• Early Readers: 16 point
• Picture Books: 16 to 24 point
• Minimum size large print: 14 point
• Typical large print: 16 to 18 point
36. Automatic
• Subjects
• Reading level
• Sex, violence, language
• Books sent periodically
37. Requests Come In
• Telephone
• Email
• Mail
• Paper Catalog Request
• Online Catalog
38. New Books
• Catalog at www.loc.gov/nls/catalog
• Talking Book Topics at
www.loc.gov/nls/tbt/index.html
• Braille Book Review at
www.loc.gov/nls/bbr/index.html
• Magazines at
www.loc.gov/nls/reference/circulars/magazines.ht
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