The “Revised Standards and Guidelines of Service for the Library of Congress Network of Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped” (NLSBPH) have been published by the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) and are now available for purchase through the ALA Store.
The 2011 version of these standards and guidelines is the fourth iteration of ALA standards for libraries serving blind and physically handicapped individuals. They were developed by consumers, network librarians and their administering agencies to provide a benchmark for service by which the libraries can judge their accomplishments. The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLSBPH) uses these Standards as the basis for consultant visit reviews and evaluation of the library’s operations, and NLS anticipates implementing these revised standards beginning in 2012. NLS has reviewed cooperating network libraries against the original standards, and updates since 1980, with the goal of providing equitable service for eligible individuals wherever they reside in the United States or its possessions or territories.
Among other topics, the text provides information about standards for provision of services, resource development and management, public education and outreach, budget and funding, planning and evaluation, personnel and BARD; guidelines for personnel and space; and several appendices on critical information such as the Library of Congress/National Library Service Eligibility Criteria, the ALA Library Bill of Rights and Policy on Confidentiality of Library Records and the ALA Policy on Services for People with Disabilities.
Learn more about this publication and purchase your copy now at the ALA Store.
ASCLA, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is a diverse organization of librarians and support staff who work in academic and public libraries, state agencies, specialized libraries and multi-type cooperatives, as well as those who are self-employed. Our division’s work centers on member-driven interest groups that represent the diversity and important work of our engaged and active members. Not an ASCLA member, but interested in discounted registration rates on conference, ASCLA preconference and other ASCLA events? Join, renew or add ASCLA to your ALA membership at www.ala.org/membership.