OLYMPIA — Washington Talking Book & Braille Library (WTBBL) received the 2022 Regional Library of the Year Award from the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) May 18.
Each year NLS, part of the Library of Congress, recognizes its national network of libraries for providing outstanding service in their communities. WTBBL was honored for excellence, innovation, and special achievement in serving people who are blind or have a print disability.
In 2021 WTBBL, which serves more than 7,200 patrons (over 1,100 of whom enrolled last year), transitioned to a duplication-on-demand service model that enables its librarians to create customized digital book cartridges. With Duplication-on-demand, patrons no longer have to wait for books that are out on loan, as downloadable versions are always available.
WTBBL also hired an outreach librarian who liaised with public libraries, service organizations, retirement homes, and care facilities; mailed letters to 1,500 optometrists and ophthalmologists directing them to a web page where they could find collateral materials for their offices, or request a visit or a call from the library; and produced four promotional videos highlighting its operations and services.
In addition, WTBBL also worked with the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind to deliver closed-circuit television video magnifiers to patrons with low vision. WTBBL was the first NLS network library to participate in the pilot test for the Zoomax refreshable braille display — or eReader — during which the library loaned and provided technical support for 130 devices.
“The Regional Library of the Year Award affirms our longstanding commitment to provide people who are unable to read standard print with equitable access to information and reading materials,” said WTBBL Director Danielle Miller. “We are honored to receive this recognition from our peers at NLS.”
WTBBL, one of 94 NLS-affiliated libraries nationwide, has been providing services for people unable to read standard print since 1931. Watch this video to learn more, or contact WTBBL at 800-542-0866 or [email protected]. WTBBL is a program of Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
Washington’s Office of the Secretary of State oversees a number of areas within state government, including managing state elections, registering corporations and charities, and governing the use of the state flag and state seal. The office also manages the State Archives and the State Library, documents extraordinary stories in Washington’s history through Legacy Washington, oversees the Combined Fund Drive for charitable giving by state employees, and administers the state’s Address Confidentiality Program to help protect survivors of crime.