Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

The Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, part of the Talking Book Program of the Library of Congress, provides braille and recorded books and playback equipment for those Wisconsin residents who for any physical reason cannot read normal print.

At present the Regional Library serves 6,611 active readers throughout the state, including 630 juveniles. Service is provided both directly, and through 354 schools, libraries, hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutions.

The Regional Library, which is housed in Milwaukee Public Library's Central headquarters, mails out an average of 1500 items per day, and receives back an equal amount. 125 audio book players are mailed out weekly, with an equivalent amount returned. An average of 1500 telephone inquiries are answered monthly. To handle this workflow, process new applicants and publicize the program,the Regional Library employs a staff of 14 (13 FTE) in 2003.

As part of the Talking Book Program of the Library of Congress, the Regional Library circulates recorded and brailled materials and playback equipment provided by the federal government. In addition, the Regional Library circulates taped and brailled materials on Wisconsin or by Wisconsin authors which it has published in these alternate formats, as well as audio-described videotapes.

The address for the Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped is:

813 West Wells Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233-1436
414/286-3045
800/242-8822 [in-Wisconsin WATS]
414/286-3102 [FAX]
414/286-3548 [TDD]
lbph@milwaukee.gov [Email]

For additional information about the Wisconsin Regional Library, click here.

Use the Wisconsin Regional Library Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) to search for books in the collection and order them online. To order books you will need a special user name and password, which you can obtain by calling the Library at 286-3045 (Milwaukee area) or 1-800-242-8822. A user name or password is not required to search the OPAC.

For a downloadable application, click here

Related Links

National Library Service Union Catalog

The Library of Congress's National Library Service for the Blind & Physically Handicapped provides Braille books, recorded books and playback equipment to any United States resident or U.S. citizen living abroad who cannot read normal print for any physical reason. This service is provided through a national network of participating libraries, one of which is the Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped.

National Federation of the Blind NEWSLINE

National Federation of the Blind NEWSLINE® is a toll-free service that uses synthesized speech to deliver an audio version of newspaper text through the telephone to those who are blind or visually impaired. The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is changing the name of the service to NFBNEWSLINE and expanding the service nationwide. If you are interested in signing up for the service, please fill out an Application/Registration Form.

NFB Jobline

Jobline allows users to search for employment using a touch-tone telephone, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Each user can establish a personalized job-search profile. Users can choose a job search area and job category and save job announcements. The Ready Reference Guide will assist in accessing the service. Access is available through a toll-free number 1-800-414-5748.

National Federation of the Blind

Founded in 1940, the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the nation's largest and most influential membership organization of blind persons. With fifty thousand members, the NFB has affiliates in all fifty states plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, and over seven hundred local chapters. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.

The Blind Readers Page

This site is intended as a source of information about blindness, visual handicaps and other physical handicaps with a special focus on Wisconsin organizations. Any mention of a service or product is not to be taken as an endorsement of that service or product, merely an indication of its existence.

Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired

The Wisconsin Council of the Blind is a private, not-for-profit agency. Its mission is to promote the dignity and independence of people in Wisconsin who are blind and visually impaired by providing services, advocating legislation and educating the general public. The Wisconsin Council of the Blind is the state affiliate of the American Council of the Blind.

American Council of the Blind

Founded in 1961, the American Council of the Blind is a leading national organization that strives to improve the well-being of all blind and visually impaired people by elevating the social, economic and cultural levels of blind people; improving educational and rehabilitation facilities and opportunities; cooperating with the public and private institutions and organizations concerned with blind services; encouraging and assisting all blind persons to develop their abilities and conducting a public education program to promote greater understanding of blindness and the capabilities of blind people. The ACB has 71 affiliate organizations.

For questions about this information, contact Shiela A. Pollock (608) 224-5395

Last updated on 2/26/2008 10:34:35 AM