Nation's Best: Washtenaw County Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled

The Washtenaw County Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled (LBPD) has received the first annual Network Subregional Library of the Year Award. Library Services Director Mary E. Udoji and LBPD Librarian Coordinator Margaret Wolfe accepted the award and cash prize at a luncheon held last week at the Library of Congress in Washington DC .  (See the Press Release from the Library of Congress.)

In presenting the award, National Library Service Director Frank Kurt Cylke noted that the Washtenaw County LBPD "demonstrated excellence as a subregional library and has raised the bar for providing community outreach and dependable service."

In addition to being recognized for providing excellent service, the Washtenaw County ibrary was cited for seeking "to sustain the social, emotional and intellectual health of people who are blind or live with low vision."

The Library has become an extraordinary resource for the blind and physically handicapped in this community.  The library’s Book Lovers Club - now in its tenth year - is a bimonthly forum which allows patrons to develop a sense of community and to strengthen friendships. The LBPD presents an open workshop, Braille Instruction and Blind Awareness, for people interested in learning Braille and about the lives of visually impaired people.

During the past two years, the Library has partnered with students from the University of Michigan’s School of Art & Design to offer the Many Ways workshop to help blind and visually impaired individuals create works of art.  In addition, the LBPD biennial exhibition, Visions: What’s New in Technology for the Blind and Visually Impaired has become a must-attend event for vendors, consumers and volunteers.

The University of Michigan School of Information, a strategic partner of the library, found the Library’s many programs offer "a renewed sense of involvement in the world, increased personal connections… and intellectual stimulation" to patrons of the LBPD.

On returning from the ceremonies in Washington, Margaret Wolfe, LBPD Librarian Coordinator was overjoyed as she shared the award with Library staff. "This is a such a great honor for our library and it reflects the dedicated hard work of the entire LBPD staff and our community partners."

In addition to the Washtenaw County LBPD’s Subregional Library of the Year award, The National Library Service awarded the Network Library of the Year to the Free Library of Philadelphia for its exemplary service as an NLS regional library for the blind and physically disabled.

 
 
 
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