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| Library Services Fact Sheet - Graphics Version | |
| LIBRARY SERVICES FACT SHEET | |
| Braille Institute Library Services, designated by the Library of Congress as a Regional Library of the National Network in 1934, provides books, magazines, and other brailled and recorded materials for loan to blind, visually impaired, physically handicapped and reading disabled patrons in Southern California. | |
| Facilities | |
| The Main Library facility in Los Angeles contains 74,000 linear feet or 14 miles of shelving. Library Services uses the Data Research Associates (DRA) automated library system to maintain and access book and patron records. A network links four branch libraries at Braille Institute Regional Centers in Orange County, Rancho Mirage, San Diego and Santa Barbara to the computer system. | |
| Materials | |
| The collection consists of close to 930,000 units of braille books, cassettes and records representing 73,700 titles. Library Services also provides 46,000 cassette players and record players. During FY 1999/00, volunteers and the Telephone Pioneers repaired more than 5,000 machines. | |
| Circulation | |
| More than 32,000 visually, physically and reading-disabled individuals received material directly from Library Services in the past 12 months. This figure does not include the large number of individuals who receive service through affiliated institutions such as public libraries, convalescent homes, hospitals, schools and Braille Institute Community Centers. There are currently more than 6,200 borrowers using 1,500 of these institutions. Library Services' average circulation is 5,000 units daily, 1,200,000 units annually. | |
| Programs | |
| Library Services holds an annual open house in October for patrons and community members. Every summer, the Library hosts a summer reading program for children and youths, with prizes and an award ceremony for the most prolific readers. The Library celebrates National Library Week each spring with programs for all ages. Finally, the Library also holds periodic information workshops for new patrons. | |
| Staff and Volunteers | |
| Library Services currently has 45.1 FTE (full-time equivalent) staff positions, including the four branches. Volunteers play a vital role in the operations of Library Services, assisting in many activities, from checking returned cassettes to processing mailings. Volunteer Services reported that volunteers contributed more than 36,500 hours of work in the Library during 2000. | |
| Library Advisory Committee | |
| The Braille Institute Library Advisory Committee was established in 1976 as a forum for user discussion and input. It is composed of a representative group of users and members of related organizations. The committee meets quarterly with Library staff. | |
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| Become a Patron What's Available Our Locations Using the Library Special Programs and Services For Our Patrons About Library Services Contact Us |
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| Braille Institute Home - Graphics Version | |
| If you have any questions or comments please contact us: E-mail: biainfo@brailleinstitute.org Phone toll-free: 1-800-BRAILLE (272-4553) Phone hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm (PST) |
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