WVLC Special Services
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Getting Started
Special Services provides free recorded books, large print books and descriptive videos to patrons registered throughout West Virginia. Braille books are also sent through a contract with the Philadelphia Free Library.
Eligibility
Individuals are eligible to receive this free library program if:
- They are legally blind;
- Their vision in the better eye is 20/200 or less with corrective lenses or their widest diameter of visual field is no greater than 20 degrees;
- They are unable to use standard printed materials as a result of physical limitations.
- They are certified by a doctor of medicine or a doctor of osteopathy, who may consult with colleagues in associated disciplines, as having a reading disability resulting from an organic dysfunction and of sufficient severity to prevent their reading printed materials in the normal manner.
- Persons who are in a facility such as a nursing home, residential home or a personal care home and are eligible for library services may receive either direct individual service or if the establishment has a deposit collection, individuals may use these materials without going through the process of signing up to receive individual service.
Certifying Authority
In cases of blindness, visual impairment or physical limitations, eligibility can be certified by doctors of medicine; doctors of osteopathy; ophthalmologists; optometrists; registered nurses; therapists; and professional staff of hospitals, institutions, and public or private welfare agencies (ex. social workers, caseworkers, counselors, rehabilitation teachers and superintendents). In the absence of any of these, certification may be made by professional librarians or by any person whose competence under specific circumstances is acceptable to the Library of Congress.
In the case of reading disability from organic dysfunction, eligibility must be certified by doctors of medicine or doctors of osteopathy, who may consult with colleagues in associated disciplines.
Catalogs
The
National Library Service produces bimonthly catalogs called
Talking Book Topics and
Braille Book Review which lists
recent additions to the national talking
book and Braille collection as well as news about library services.
Both catalogs are available in large print; Talking Book Topics is also available on cassette and
Braille Book Review is available in
Braille. Patrons can request books by either telephoning or emailing us or by
mailing us a completed order sheet provided in the catalog.
The National Library Service recorded books require special playback equipment. This playback equipment is loaned free of charge to patrons. If the equipment needs repair the West Virginia Library Commission will exchange it free of charge.
