Bridgewater Library Part of State Pilot Program for the Blind

Bridgewater Township Library has been selected by the state as one of 11 to participate in a pilot program for accessing audio books from the Braille and Audio Reading Download web site.

According to a release from the New Jersey State Library, the organization has partnered with the U.S. Library of Congress’ Division for the Blind and Physically Handicapped to put this program together.

The Bridgewater branch of the Somerset County Library System is one of 11 libraries chosen by the state to take part.

The other libraries participating in the program are Atlantic County Library, Galloway Township Branch; East Brunswick Public Library; Jersey City Public Library; Johnson Public Library; Kenilworth Public Library, Monroe Township Public Library; Morris County; Mount Laurel Library; Pequannock Township Public Library; and the Scotch Plains Public Library.

This program was initiated by the New Jersey State Library Talking Book & Braille Center (TBBC), and aides in using the national database made available by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

According to the release, the goal is to allow public libraries to provide local assistance to TBBC members and caretakers in maneuvering the complicated process of downloading books and magazines.

Those residents affected by a physical impairment, a reading disability or a visual impairment will be eligible to take part in the program.

“This initiative will help us to expand the services of the Talking Book and Braille Center to new, underserved populations in New Jersey,” said Adam Szczepaniak, director of the TBBC, in the release. “It will help to make a difference for those who, for whatever reason, have difficulty reading printed material. This is an important partnership for TBBC.”

Currently, the release said, TBBC registered members are able to access digital audiobook players and cartridges, Braille books, downloadable audiobooks and audio magazines, as well as the Audiovision, TBBC’s NJ newspaper reading service.

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