About Us

About Library for the Blind and Print Disabled – “That All May Read.”

 

The Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) administers a free national library program that provides recorded and braille materials to people who cannot use standard print materials. Beginning with 19 libraries in 1931, the network has expanded to 55 regional libraries, 26 subregional libraries, and 16 advisory and outreach centers serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and Guam.

The New Mexico Library for the Blind and Print Disabled was established in 1967 and is administered by the New Mexico State Library, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs. The library offers online service through the Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) website and mobile apps, and free cartridge delivery that is customizable to each patron’s preference! The collection of digital audio books focuses mainly on recreational reading in a variety of genres and contains over 100,000 titles. Digital audio magazines such as The New Yorker are also available. Through our partnership with the Utah State Library for the Blind, braille books are provided through the United States Postal Service. Nearly 3000 New Mexicans who are blind or visually impaired or have a physical or reading disability are registered with the LBPD program.

Timeline

1931

Books for the Blind begins

Lobbied by J. Robert Atkinson, the founder of the Braille Institute of America, the Pratt-Smoot Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Hoover on March 3rd, 1931 so that the Library of Congress could administer the Books for the Adult Blind program.

By July 1st, nineteen libraries start providing service.1931 Books in Braille catalog.

1931

1935

Standard English Braille is adopted.

1935

1947

First talking book machines are purchased.

1947

1952

Children receive services.

Child wearing headphonesThe Act is amended, deleting “adult” to include children.

1952

1959

Books on open reel tapes are circulated.

1959

1963

Talking Books are distributed on 10″ discs.

Record player with 8RPM Talking Book Disc

1963

1966

Individuals with other physical disabilities receive service.

Congress passes Public Law 89-522 authorizing the Library to provide talking-book services to all persons who could not read standard print because of a visual or physical disability.

1966

1967

New Mexico Program Established

1967

1978

Program becomes NLS.

NLS Logo

The Division for the Blind and Physically Handicapped becomes the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

1978

1981

Cassette Machine is distributed.

Talking Book Cassette Machine

1981

1996

First digital book is produced.

1996

2007

Digital Talking Book Machine replaces cassette machine.

Digital Talking Book Machines

2007

2016

Public Law 114-219 passes.

President Obama signs Public Law 114-219 authorizing NLS to provide playback equipment in all formats.

Unified English Braille is embraced.

2016

2017

BARD Express is launched

2017

2019

US enters Marrakesh Treaty.

US becomes the 50th member of The Marrakesh Treaty enabling the NLS to obtain foreign produced books for the program.

2019

2019

NLS changes its name.

The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped becomes the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, allowing the program to become more inclusive to individuals with reading disabilities.

New Mexico follows suit and becomes the New Mexico State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled.

2019

2020

Customized cartridges!

 

A stack of five plastic cartridge cases

New Mexico launches custom multiple book cartridges, allowing patrons to order dozens of books at once, even entire series, on one cartridge.

2020

2021

NLS celebrates 90th Anniversary

2021