[CT-NFB] FW: Email received yesterday concerning Library For The Blind and print disabled

Fri Oct 8 15:15:44 UTC 2021

 Personally, I am deeply disappointed in this closure. I've been a loyal NLS patron for years. I agree with all concerns listed here. There need to be reader advisors as well, something which was not cited in these concerns.
    On Friday, October 8, 2021, 11:06:30 AM EDT, Elizabeth Rival via CT-NFB <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org> wrote:  

Hi, I also believe it important for our members to give us your opinions. Thank you Beth

From: Deb Reed <deb.reed57 at gmail.com> 
Sent: Friday, October 08, 2021 7:47 AM
To: Maryanne.melley at gmail.com; tasnap at comcast.net; ngrice5456 at aol.com; kdockendorff at gmail.com; juneblum49 at gmail.com; nonniday at gmail.com; cbduquette at comcast.net; pduke58 at comcast.net; rmirdi at aol.com; Rirelandjr at aol.com; hopegregory1 at yahoo.com; judypeasesalley at gmail.com; geo.reed51 at gmail.com; crival at comcast.net; erival at comcast.net; carole612 at frontier.com; k1stm at frontier.com
Subject: Email received yesterday concerning Library For The Blind and print disabled

Central Chapter Members,

I thought it important to copy and paste the below email to you ahead of Saturday’s meeting, so that you could digest it and formulate any comments you wish me to pass on to Diane Weaver Dunne and the committee. Also as a sidenote, please bring your own beverage to the meeting, thanks!

Good afternoon Deb:

I hope this email finds you well.  In addition to heading up CRIS Radio, I also am a member of the State Library for the Blind and Print Handicapped Advisory Committee.  During the past several months, a decision was made to close the LBPH in Rocky Hill and move remaining staff to a state library facility in Middletown. This coincided with sending the library’s audio book collection to the National Library Service’s regional center in Washington, D.C.;  previously the LBPH’s Braille Book collection was sent to NLS’s Utah facility.  Currently, the move to Middletown facility is on hold.

The diminishment of an on-site book collection for people who are blind or print handicapped, as well as the relocation to the Middletown facility absent a direct para-transit system concerned the LBPH Advisory Committee, which we shared with the new State Librarian and with State Sen. Cathy Osten.

Sen. Osten asked that we reach out to members of other organizations that represent people who are blind or print handicapped and ask them to also identify what they think is needed for our community in terms of a state Library for the Blind and Print Handicapped.  

Our committee’s concerns are listed below:

1.   LBPH should be located in a central location in the state, preferably in Hartford because it is located in a public transportation hub in the state.

2.   LBPH must be accessible for all abilities, preferably located on one floor.

3.   DOT Policies need to be changed to provide affordable, direct paratransit to the library from locations throughout the state.

4.   There should be an on-site collection of Braille and audio books made available for weekday check out by patrons, similar to access made available in town libraries.

5.   State needs to purchase its own on-site collection of Braille and audio books to prevent loss of collection due to NLS decisions;

6.   Increased staffing is necessary to meet the needs of the blind community, including a LBPH director and appropriate number of reader advisors;

7.   LBPH needs to meet specific needs of Veterans who are blind.

8.   Address concerns regarding the USPS announced slow-down of mail and its impact on receiving books in a timely manner.

Barbara Blejewski, chair of the LBPH Advisory Committee, and I would be most appreciative to hear any comments/concerns/suggestions from members of the NFB chapter that you head up as well.  If you are able to reach out to your members, please send us their thoughts and concerns about the LBPH. Many thanks.

Best,

Diane

Sincerely,

 Deb Reed

Central CT Chapter President 

National Federation Of The Blind

Phone - 860-973-3679 

Cell-860-378-5370

Email - deb.reed57 at gmail.com

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