919 News Spring 2003 - Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped - Free Library of Philadelphia
Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Free Library of Philadelphia
Skip Menus   Catalog   Contact Us   Main Page  
Overview

Eligibility

Application

Hours and Holidays

Directions

NLS Union Catalog

Web Braille

Descriptive Videos

Magazine List

Access Technology

Volunteer Information

Friends of LBPH

919 News

Adult Education Program

National Exhibit of Blind Artists

Disability Resources and Web Sites

Highlights from 919 News INSIDER January/ February 2005

  





AUDIO INFORMATION SERVICES

Current events, facts for school projects, sports scores! All sorts of information can be learned from audio information services. Check out  www.iaais.org to find radio reading services in your area. To get on demand information, sign up for Newsline, an automated telephone newspaper service that allows you to listen to any section of over 100 newspapers. For more information call us at 800-222-1754 or 215-683-3213.


ELECTRONIC RESOURCES AT LIBRARIES

Free access to some full text databases, the Internet, and word processing are available for individuals with visual impairments. There is a charge for printing or braille embossing. There is also a nominal charge for a computer diskette if you would like to save your documents for future updates.

In addition to the workstations at the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, the following branches of the Free Library of Philadelphia have Access Technology Workstations. An appointment is recommended.

Andorra Branch- 215-685-2552

Central Library, Government Publications Department- 215-686-5330

Independence Branch- 215-685-1633

Joseph E. Coleman/Northwest Regional- 215-685-2150

Northeast Regional Library- 215-685-0500

South Philadelphia Branch- 215-685-1866

Lucien Blackwell/West Philadelphia Regional- 215-685-7420


SLATE PALS

Slate Pals is a pen pal program for braille reading students who want to write and receive braille letters from other students. Students can specify the quantity, age range and the gender preference of prospective slate pals. The program is sponsored by the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children. You may contact them at dkent@ripco.com or Slate Pals, 5817 North Nina, Chicago, IL 60631.


NLS MAGAZINES FOR CHILDREN IN BRAILLE

Boys' Life: Muse; Seventeen; Spider; and Stone Soup Are magazines available free to you through the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS). If you would like more information or if you are interested in receiving any of these magazines, please contact us by phone, by email or by fax. Please remember to include your name and address.


NLS MAGAZINES FOR CHILDREN ON CASSETTE

Cricket/National Geographic World; Spider; Sports Illustrated for Kids; Teen People; and Young Adult Magazine of the Month are magazines available free to you through the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS). If you would like more information or if you are interested in receiving any of these magazines, please call us toll free at 800-222-1754; or local at 215-683-3213. You may email us at flpblind@library.phila.gov or fax us at 215-683-3211. Please remember to include your name and address.


INFOEYES

Do you need help with that homework question? Where is the best place to find out information on almost anything? Check out InfoEyes, the newest virtual reference and information community for the visually impaired. Users can email a reference question to a librarian anytime! If you would like online guidance, enter the virtual reference room for real time chat and guided Internet browsing. Librarians from Philadelphia and Talking Book libraries across the country will answer your questions. Go to  www.infoeyes.org to find out more about the program, participating libraries, and hours of operation. Try it out today!


NLS MUSIC SECTION

Did you know that in addition to providing the books, catalogs and playback equipment that we loan to you, the National Library Service administers a music program directly through from Washington, D.C. The program of music services includes a circulating collection of more than 30, 000 Braille and large print music scores, texts and instructional recordings about music and musicians on cassette. It also includes a subscription program of magazines produced in Braille, on cassette and in large print. Musical recordings intended solely for listening are not part of the music collection. As a reader registered with us in Philadelphia, you may call the NLS Music Section directly in Washington, D.C. at 800-424-8567 to order music scores.


SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS

Parents, there is support for visually impaired or blind children who are mainstreamed in public schools in Pennsylvania. There are twenty Intermediate Units (IU) providing assistance to students who require books on tape or in Braille for classroom activities and assignments. The IU is a cluster of teachers/counselors assigned to secure reading material by connecting student and school to the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped for books on tape or in Braille and to Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic for textbooks on tape. For more information, please contact the school your child attends or will be attending.


SPORT SCHEDULES

NLS (National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped) produces in Braille, annual schedules free to our readers. The schedules available are the American Baseball League, National Baseball League, National Basketball Association, National Football League, National Hockey League and Women’s Basketball Association.


NLS NARRATOR INFORMATION

The National Library Service (NLS) has created a website, www.loc.gov/nls/narrators, where library borrowers can learn more about their favorite narrators. Narrators who record at the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) and the NLS studio have provided information, including an audio sample. As other narrators submit information, a link for their recording studios’ websites will be added. Library patrons may also send comments, fan mail and letters of appreciation; fax is 202-707-0711; email is mgoe@loc.gov; or telephone is 202-707-9329.


THE LIBRARY IS OPEN MONDAY -FRIDAY 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

919 NEWS Insider for Children and Teens is published by the Philadelphia Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Free Library of Philadelphia. It is available in large print, cassette and in braille. Call the Library for the braille or cassette version at 215-683-3213 (in Philadelphia) or toll free at 800-222-1754. We welcome news and comments from our readers.

You may contact us my mail, fax, telephone or email. We are located at 919 Walnut Street (first floor), Philadelphia, Pa 19107; (fax) 215-683-3211; (toll free) 800-222-1754 or (local) 215-683-3213; and flpblind@library.phila.gov