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Did you know that every state has at least one free talking book library to serve the print-disabled? These libraries serve patrons with low vision or blindness, reading disabilities (i.e. dyslexia, ADHD), or who struggle to comfortably hold a book. The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) believes in its mission—“That All May Read”—and wants to partner with public libraries to ensure that reading is essential and accessible to everyone.

The NLS regional libraries have access to a massive library of hardcopy and downloadable, accessible, navigable audio or braille books, digital playback equipment, and other assistive technology to distribute freely on long-term loan. All material is circulated at no cost through the Free Matter for the Blind postal subsidy. In this free webinar, you will learn how to partner with NLS to provide free reading materials in alternate formats to better serve your communities, empowering existing and prospective patrons to benefit as lifelong readers.

PLA members make it possible for us to provide continuing education opportunities like this webinar at no cost. We thank our members for their continuous dedication to the advancement of the public library field and our association.

Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Understand the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled network of libraries around the U.S. and its intersectional mission with public libraries to create and maintain lifelong readers;
• Empower patrons and stakeholders to apply for and receive free, alternate format, popular reading materials, and long-term loans of assistive technology devices; and
• Discover the print disability movement and its growing importance, reach, and visibility within the public and library sphere.

Who Should Attend

This webinar is intended for all public library staff and stakeholders.

Panelists

Morgan Rose Pershing (she/her) is the assistive technology librarian for the Braille and Talking Books Library in Sacramento, CA. She received her MLIS in 2006 and has since worked in special, academic, and public libraries; served all ages; and held positions from librarian to management. Morgan also teaches classes such as “Graphic Novels for Adults” and “Introduction to Adult Services” for San Jose State University’s MLIS program. She is a Transforming Life after 50 Fellow, a Eureka! Leadership Fellow, and was awarded the California Library Association's Member of the Year in 2018.

Mike Marlin (he/him) has served as the director of the California Braille and Talking Book Library (BTBL) since 2007. He is a legally blind librarian as well as a patron of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), for which BTBL is the Northern California regional library. Mike has worked in public and academic libraries, and in a previous life he was a producer and music host at public and community radio stations on both East and West coasts. Mike is a councilor-at-large for the ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ (¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ), where he advocates for accessibility and disability-centered librarianship; and he worked closely with ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ’s Washington Office to lobby for passage and ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty to facilitate cross border sharing of accessible works. In his spare time Mike plays jazz banjo and travels around with his yellow lab guide dog, Teddy.

As library director at Braille Institute, Lisa Lepore (she/her) oversees services in support of the call, “That All May Read,” the motto of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled. Lisa sees librarianship as a public good and is dedicated to accessible libraries and the practice and pleasure of a reading life. Prior to Braille Institute, Lisa was library director at Antioch University, Los Angeles, and holds an MLIS (UCLA) and an MFA (Antioch University).

Accommodations

This live webinar will be captioned in English (United States). Zoom desktop client or mobile app is required to access captions.

Attendees using screen readers are advised to turn off speech prior to joining the Zoom event because PLA webinars make extensive use of chat functionality. Attendees who find chat distracting may wish to disable it in the Zoom event, as PLA moderators will verbally highlight important topics raised in chat and chat transcripts will be provided post-webinar.

If you have a physical or communication need that may affect your participation in this webinar, please contact us at plawebinars@ala.org or 800-545-2433 ext. 5PLA (5752) at least two weeks prior to the webinar. Without prior notification of need, we may not be able to provide appropriate accommodations for the live event.

Archived Recording

If you're unable to register for this webinar, an archived recording will be freely available typically within 1–3 business of the live event.

Credits or CEUs

Credit hours, CEUs, or a certificate of completion are not available for this webinar.