Library in need of increased funding
A situation very much related to my previous posting, the Philadelphia Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped is greatly in need of increased funding. For several years the budget for this very valuable service has remained flat. Increases to rent and other costs related to new technologies are jeopardizing the service.
The service is not specific to visually impaired and blind.
From the article…
"A lot of people hear ‘Library for the Blind’ and think, ‘I don’t know a blind person,’ " said Patricia Shotzbarger, library supervisor. "But we serve stroke victims, for instance. There’s nothing wrong with their eyesight, but they can’t hold a book, turn the pages, and read standard print.
"We have quadriplegics and paraplegics. It goes to a print disability as opposed to a visual disability. The other group that we also serve are learning disabilities, reading disabilities – something like dyslexia."
Take a moment to read this article and then call your local State Rep and ask them to support an increase in the libraries budget.
If you are not in PA, you may want to check on the funding of your state library serving this community.