Outreach

The WLBPD@AADL strives to educate the community about the National Library Service’s Talking Books services and identify eligible patrons. Our Outreach & Neighborhood Services staff are available to: give presentations and demonstrations; attend meetings and support groups; host booths at expos and information fairs; and visit local libraries, schools, and institutions. If you or your organization are interested in having a staff member schedule a visit, or if your group would like to visit the WLBPD@AADL for an informational session and a tour, please call (734) 327-8327, or email bookit@aadl.org.

Demonstration Sites

Washtenaw County libraries help raise public awareness of the WLBPD@AADL by acting as demonstration sites. By providing demonstrations of WLBPD equipment and materials, demonstration sites make the WLBPD’s services known to Washtenaw County residents who otherwise might not have been aware of them. While demonstration sites do not circulate materials, they do have machines and materials on-site to show what's available through the WLBPD. Demonstration sites also have applications available upon request.

The following libraries in Washtenaw County serve as WLBPD demonstration sites:
Chelsea District Library,
Dexter Public Library,
Manchester District Library,
Milan Public Library,
Northfield Township Area Library,
Salem-South Lyon District Library,
Saline District Library, and
Ypsilanti District Library.

Institutional Accounts

Institutions and agencies whose clientele may include those who are blind, low vision, or physically disabled are eligible for a WLBPD institutional account. An institutional account allows an agency to check out materials and keep equipment for demonstrations and group activities, or to loan to clients who do not want or may not be able to manage their own WLBPD account.

WLBPD@AADL Promotional Materials

If your group or organization is interested in receiving any of our promotional materials, please call (734) 327-4224 or email wlbpd@aadl.org.

WLBPD@AADL Poster (horizontal)
WLBPD@AADL Poster (vertical)
These customizable posters contain information about our services, a full-color image, and information on how to contact WLBPD@AADL. They can be produced either vertically or horizontally in a number of different sizes. Available to anybody wanting to promote WLBPD@AADL services.

WLBPD@AADL Large Print Book Label
These 4” x 6” black and white large print stickers come in rolls of 250 and are intended to be placed on the inside cover of large print books to help promote WLBPD@AADL services. Available to all libraries and institutions wanting to promote WLBPD@AADL services.

WLBPD@AADL Bookmark
These 4” x 9” black and white large print bookmarks contain WLBPD@AADL contact information. Available to anybody wanting to promote WLBPD@AADL services.

WLBPD Magnet
These 5 ¾” x 4 ¼” black and white large print magnets contain WLBPD@AADL contact information. Available to anybody wanting to promote WLBPD@AADL services.

WLBPD@AADL Services Flyer
These 8 ½” x 11” black and white double-sided large print flyers provide an overview of WLBPD@AADL services. Available to anybody wanting to promote WLBPD@AADL services.

Outreach Best Practices

WLBPD@AADL's outreach efforts recognized as "Best Practices" from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

Best Practices from the Network: Spreading the Word about NLS, August 1, 2012

Best Practices from the Network: Spreading the Word about NLS, December 27, 2012

Services

Click here for more information on the services provided by AADL!

Events

Click here for information on all upcoming Events at the AADL!

Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Print Disabled at AADL!

If you or someone you know is unable to read standard type print, unable to hold a book in your hands, or, if you have dyslexia - you are eligible for this service!

In Washtenaw County this free service administered by the Ann Arbor District Library, loans books, magazines, and videos in alternative formats (audio books on cartridge or for download, large print, braille books and magazines, and descriptive video) to individuals of all ages who are unable to read or use standard printed materials as a result of temporary or permanent visual or physical limitations. A talking book machine and materials are mailed at no cost as Free Matter for the Blind. For more information on how to apply, click here.

Once signed up, all eligible individuals also have access to downloading tens-of-thousands of books and dozens of magazines from the National Library Service's Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) site.

Additionally, all eligible individuals also have access to a variety of other services, including access to NFB Newsline (local and national newspapers via telephone), textbooks and bibles in audio format, and radio reading services. For more information about these, and all other Available Items, click here.

All Washtenaw County residents who are eligible for WLBPD service, as well as those living in the same household, are also eligible for Ann Arbor District Library borrowing privileges.

WLBPD is part of the National Library Service (NLS) network. Click here to locate other NLS network libraries. "That All May Read!"

WLBPD Blog

2017 Midlands / North Regional Conference: "Today's VIsion...Tomorrow's Reality"

Tuesday, June 6 - Thursday, June 8, 2017

This conference will focus on the future direction of library services for the blind & physically disabled, and will help libraries prepare for the changes ahead.

We are pleased to have scheduled Michael Furlough, Executive Director of HathiTrust, as well as Carrie Banks, from the Brooklyn Public Library, where she will present "Every Child Ready to Read," a program for kids under five years old who are blind or visually impaired, and their caregivers.

We are also pleased to welcome Karen Keninger, Director, National Library Service (NLS) to speak on the developments and trends at NLS, as well as her work as Chair of the IFLA Libraries Serving Persons with Print Disabilities Section. We are also pleased to welcome from NLS: Neil Bernstein, Vickie Collins, and Pam Davenport who are all scheduled to present.

For more information on the 2017 Northern / Midlands of Libraries Serving the Blind & Physically Handicapped, click here