To provide library service
to the blind and physically handicapped residents of the United States and its
Territories, and to American citizens living abroad.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Use of Property, Facilities, and Equipment. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
The program provides books on cassette, disc, in Braille, and talking book and
recorded cassette machines. There are 57 regional libraries and 80
sub-regional
libraries in the United States with a collection of approximately 368,000
titles in recorded and Braille formats and 20,000 music scores, textbooks, and
instructional materials in Braille, large type and recorded formats.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility: An applicant must provide a certificate of his
inability to read or manipulate standard printed material from a competent
authority, defined in cases of blindness, visual disability, or physical
limitations, as doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, ophthalmologists,
optometrists, registered nurses, therapists, professional staff of hospitals,
institutions, and public or welfare agencies. 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. In the case of reading disability from organic dysfunction, competent
authority is defined as doctors of medicine and doctors of osteopathy who may
consult with colleagues in associated disciplines.
Beneficiary Eligibility: Blind and physically handicapped residents of
the United States and its Territories, and American citizens living abroad will
benefit.
Credentials/Documentation: An applicant must provide a certificate of
his inability to read or manipulate standard printed material from a competent
authority, defined in cases of blindness, visual disability, or physical
limitations, as doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, ophthalmologists,
optometrists, registered nurses, therapists, professional staff of hospitals,
institutions and public or welfare agencies. 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. In the case of reading disability from organic dysfunction, competent
authority is defined as doctors of medicine and doctors of osteopathy who may
consult with colleagues in associated disciplines. This program is excluded from
coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
Pre-application Coordination: This program is excluded from coverage
under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedure: Applications can be made to the National
Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in Washington, DC, or
the 57 regional libraries, or 80 subregional libraries. This program is excluded
from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110.
Award Procedure: Not applicable.
Deadlines: Not applicable.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Not applicable.
Appeals: Not applicable.
Renewals: Not applicable.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements: Not applicable.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Not applicable.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: None.
Audits: None.
Records: None.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification: 03-0141-0-1-503.
Obligations: (16 percent salaries and expenses; 84 percent equipment
and support) FY 01 $48,351,000; FY 02 est $49,788,000; and FY 03 est
$51,742,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance: Not applicable.
In FY 2001, 742,000 blind and physically handicapped readers were served by
regional and subregional libraries throughout the United States with a
collection of 368,000 titles in recorded and braille formats. Circulation of
volumes and containers was 23,100,000. Estimated readership: FY 2001, 742,000;
FY 2002, 742,000; and FY 2003, 695,907. Estimated circulation: FY 2001,
23,100,000; FY 2002, 23,200,000; and FY 2003, 23,464,000.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
"Reading is for Everyone." Application form, list of regional and
sub-regional libraries, 36 CFR (Chapter VII).
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office: Fifty-seven regional and 80
sub-regional
libraries in the United States. Each State has an agency distributing talking
book machines. Local public libraries have information available. Otherwise
contact the headquarters office listed in this program.
Headquarters Office: Frank Kurt Cylke, Director, National Library
Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, 1291
Taylor Street, NW., Washington DC 20542. Telephone: (202) 707- 5100. e-mail: nls@loc.gov.
