Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library Named Network Library of the Year
On Friday, June 19, 2009, Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library was named 2008 Network Library of the Year at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. that featured remarks by Congressman Ed Markey (D-MA, 7th District).
Every day, thousands of patrons who cannot read traditional print because of a visual impairment or other disability rely on services from Perkins Library to keep informed and stay connected with their communities. For many, the library is the sole source of accessible reading materials for study, work, personal enrichment, intellectual development or leisure.
"I was an avid reader until diabetes made this impossible. Perkins has saved me. I don’t know what I would do without these talking books,” said library patron Martha McDonald.
A Prestigious Honor
Presented annually by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), the Network Library of the Year Award recognizes a library that demonstrates exceptional innovation in providing services, maintains a record of patron satisfaction, and exceeds the American Library Association Revised Standards and Guidelines of Service for the Library of Congress Network of Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
NLS created the Network Library Award in 2004 to recognize outstanding accomplishments of the 122 libraries serving blind and physically handicapped individuals across the country and in U.S. territories. At the Library of Congress Award Ceremony in Washington, D.C., Perkins Library was represented by Library Director Kim Charlson, Perkins School for the Blind President Steven M. Rothstein, and Commissioner of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners Irving Zangwill.
Perkins Library: Providing Outstanding Services, Engaging Patrons
In 2008, Perkins Library launched exciting and innovative new programs to encourage patrons of all ages to participate in fun and educational events.
“Fenway at Perkins,” a book-and-author event featuring Red Sox baseball legends, delighted Boston sports fans. The library invited patrons to nominate mail carriers who provide exceptional service, and honored them in a celebration that brought guests from across the region. “The Harry Potter Extravaganza” celebrated the simultaneous release of braille and print editions of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
During the year, the library circulated 442,935 books and magazines and loaned 5,027 playback machines and accessories to 22,814 patrons.
Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library has served the reading needs of patrons who are blind or visually impaired since 1835. It is one of the oldest accessibility services in the country.
RSS
Bookmark
