Patron Handbook
Utah State Library
Program for the Blind and Disabled
| audio version (.mp3) | braille version (.brf) |
Introduction:
The Utah State Library (USL) Program for the Blind and Disabled provides materials found in formats accessible to the blind and disabled. Books and magazine are available in Braille, large print, audio cassette and audio digital books. Services are provided in cooperation with the USL, the Library of Congress and National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Services are available free to eligible readers.
Hours and Location:
USL is open Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
250 N 1950 W, Ste. A, Salt Lake City, UT 84116-7901
801-715-6789 or toll-free 1-800-662-5540 inside Utah, or
1-800-453-4293 outside Utah.
Eligibility:
People who are unable to read regular print because of a visual, physical, or reading disability qualify for service. An application is available and specifies who qualifies for eligibility at: http://blindlibrary.utah.gov/apply_for_service/instructions.html
Receiving Items in the Mail:
Books are circulated through the mail postage free. Materials from USL arrive with a reversible mailing label located within a label holder on the outside of the container.
• A circular-punched hole is on the top right corner of the mailing label when you receive an item.
• When you are finished with an item, turn the mailing label over so that the circular-punched hole is in the top left corner, replace the label in its holder on the outside of the mailing container, and drop it in the mail.
Materials can also be picked up at the library. Books and equipment can be checked out and picked up if you phone in your order in advance. Items can then be picked up inside the front door of USL. The loan period for books is six to eight weeks.
Patron Number:
Each patron receives a five-digit ID number which is to be used when checking out material. It is located to the right of the name on the patron address card.
Shipment Choices:
USL offers a variety of service preferences. When books are returned, USL can send the same number of items back. USL can send a specific number every week, every two weeks, or every month. Or USL can send books only when requested by phone, mail, or email. Reading preferences also can be changed at any time.
Equipment and Formats Available:
Digital Players – USL now provides digital players that are easier to use than the cassette players, lighter weight and have top grade sound quality. Single cartridges contain a single book to be played in the digital player.
The “bookshelf” feature in the player is also available to navigate cartridges that have more than one title on them. Patrons can search and order books online at: http://blindlibrary.utah.gov
Cassette Machines – There are still cassette machines in circulation, but they are being phased out of the USL system.
Braille – USL houses the world’s largest Braille collection with over 400,000 titles.
Large Print Books – Thousands of titles are available for checkout.
Magazines – USL provides a variety of magazines in Braille, in audio and large print format.
Damaged, Lost or Stolen Material:
If an item is damaged or becomes damaged, lost or stolen, please notify USL staff so that another player or book can be shipped immediately and the damaged item may be returned. Do not attempt to repair items.
Loan Policy:
USL circulates books and equipment to eligible individuals who are registered with the program. Patrons who use the service also accept the responsibility of caring for books and equipment. Patrons may check out 20 books in Braille, large print or on cassette and 10 digital audio books at a time. All material is delivered as Free Matter for the Blind by the U.S. Postal Service. The loan period for books is six to eight weeks.
Other Services:
To order by phone: 801-715-6789 or toll free 1-800-662-5540 inside Utah, or 1-800-453-4293 outside of Utah.
NFB-NEWSLINE® – Provided through the National Federation for the Blind (NFB), this service offers a touch-tone telephone service that reads aloud the text from newspapers from across the nation. Patrons may call the library to sign up for this service, or apply online at: www.nfbnewsline.org.
WEB-BRAILLE:
Patrons with Internet access and Braille output capability may download Braille books by accessing the NLS Web Braille site. Please call the library to sign up for this service.
NLS BARD Downloadable books:
Braille and Audio Reading Download – BARD has thousands of digital books and digital magazines!
Why wait for the postal service to deliver your books? Download from
BARD 24 hours a day, seven days a week!
You will need:
• A high-speed Internet connection
• An e-mail address
• Knowledge of navigating the Web, filling out online forms, downloading large items and unzipping files.
Apply online at: https://nlsbard.loc.gov
USL Online Catalog - KLAS (Keystone Library Automation System):
Allows patrons to search for, and order books in Braille, audio books and large print directly from the library. LDS books and children’s books can also be found in KLAS Catalog. Call or email the library to sign up to order books online.
USL Downloadable Audio Books:
The Utah State Library provides access to e-books, e-audio books and other downloadable media on PIONEER – Utah’s Online Library – pioneer.utah.gov
Helpful USL Staff:
USL’s Reader Advisors can help with:
Requesting books, magazines or videos
Information about titles, subjects or authors
Reading a book series in chronological order
Questions about downloading books
Questions about your service, patron ID or password
A player or book that does not work properly or is lost or stolen
Name, address, phone number or e-mail address changes
Returning materials or equipment you are not using
Your desire to discontinue or put a hold on your service
Donations:
Library service at USL is provided through a combination of federal and state tax dollars. Some USL patrons have asked if they can make donations. A donation is optional but USL does accept donated funds. They are typically used for special projects and equipment.
USL PROGRAM FOR THE BLIND AND DISABLED
CONSUMER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Consumers at Large:
Dean F. Anderson, Orem
danderson@wasatch.org
Everette Bacon, Salt Lake
dbrown1@utah.gov
Dianne Brown, Salt Lake
dbrown@utah.gov
Janette Dietz, Brigham City
janna12344Z@comcast.net
Wendy Bybee
Karl Smith, Taylorsville
karl@axcistech.net
Allen F. Thomason, Highland
afthomason@aol.com
Utah Council for the Blind
Tara Biggs, Salt Lake
thflute@gmail.com
Utah Federation for the Blind
Ray Martin, Lehi
crmartin@utah.gov
Ogden Association of the Blind
Lee Robinson, Logan
Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Bill Gibson, Salt Lake
bgibson@utah.gov