Long Range Plan 2003 - 2007 : Libraries Serving People with Disabilities 

In the year 2000, 14 percent of people at least five years or older in Massachusetts were reported to have some form of disability. The likelihood of having a disability varied by age-from 6 percent of people 5 to 20 years old, to 12 percent of people 21 to 64 years old, and to 37 percent of those 65 and older.

Under the previous five year LSTA Massachusetts Long-Range Plan (1998-2002), the MBLC identified the challenge for many residents who did not fully utilize libraries because of disabling conditions including visual, hearing, and mobility impairments. To meet that need, in l999 the agency worked to develop a document, Planning for Library Services for People with Disabilities. Over the past two years, more than 120 library staff members have received training in the use of this planning tool. To date, twenty-two libraries have received mini-grants as the result of writing a specific plan to serve this identified population. The purpose of the grant is to demonstrate how library services will be made available on an equal basis to all members of the community. Funds have been used to provide adaptive equipment, materials and services that will promote better utilization of the library. It includes purposeful staff training both to meet customer service needs and the use of assistive technology. This program has attracted all types of libraries. Grants have been awarded to prison, hospital, academic as well as public libraries supporting the conclusion that services are needed among all types of libraries.

The Board of Library Commissioners has state authority over the distribution of regional library services for the blind. These services are maintained through contracts with the Perkins School for the Blind, Braille and Talking Book Library (BTBL) and the Talking Book Library (TBL) at the Worcester Public Library. Both libraries provide special materials to anyone unable to read print books due to a disability.

The libraries are affiliated with the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress. The BTBL at Perkins loans Braille and the playback equipment for recorded materials to eligible patrons in all regions of the state. They also loan recorded reading materials to residents in the Eastern and Western parts of the state. The TBL in Worcester provides service to the seventy communities in the Central Region. The BTBL also loans Braille and recorded materials and equipment to Massachusetts public libraries who wish to have them on site for the convenience of their eligible patrons.