Building a National Service in a Multilingual Environment.

The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, administers a free national library program of Braille and recorded materials for eligible individuals residing in the United States or for citizens living abroad. Under a special provision of the U.S. copyright law and with the permission of authors and publishers of works not covered by the provision, NLS selects and produces full-length books and magazines in Braille and recorded formats. Reading materials and necessary audio equipment are distributed to a cooperating network of regional and local libraries where they are then circulated directly to eligible borrowers. This paper discusses the NLS in three main sections. The first section, "Background," discusses funding; eligibility; book collection; magazines; equipment and accessories; music services; volunteer services; Braille competency; reference; consumer relations; and research and development. The second section focuses on non-English materials: production; Spanish-language collection; bibliographic control; service to Spanish-speaking users in the U.S.; and the foreign language plan. The last section discusses international cooperation. (AEF) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. National Libtary Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped The Ubiary of Congress 1291 Taylor Street NW, Washington, DC 20542; telephone (202) 707-5100; fax (202) 707-0712; Internet nls@loc.gov Building a National Service in a Multilingual Environment Frank Kurt Cylke Director National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Library of Congi.ess www.loc.gov/nIs "ACCOMMODATING ALL" CONFERENCE The Association of Caribbean University Research and Institutional Libraries and The International Federation of Library Associations Section of Libraries for the Blind Ocho Rios, Jamaica May 25, 2002 BEST COPY AVAILABLE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) / This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. 0 Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy.