Celebrate World Braille Day
World Braille Day, first celebrated on January 4, 2019, commemorates the birthday of Louis Braille – the inventor of braille.
Louis Braille was blinded after a childhood accident but quickly adapted to a new way of living. At age 15, he created the reading and writing system known as braille.
World Braille Day is a reminder of the significance of accessibility for people who are blind or visually impaired. Even in 2022, blind or visually impaired individuals don’t have braille versions of common items such as restaurant menus or bank statements.
Patrons with blindness or visual impairments have access to free services providing print braille books and magazines, talking books, and audiobooks through Parkland Community Library.
Parkland Community Library
Patrons with blindness or visual impairments visiting Parkland Community Library have access to assistive technology
Library for Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians (LAMP)
The Library for Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians (LAMP) is a free braille and accessible media service for people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical disability that prevents reading or holding a book. People with a reading disability may also qualify for the program.
LAMP’s Collection
LAMP’s library includes digital audiobooks, braille books, braille downloads, digital magazines, large print books, tactile & braille early literacy kits, audio-described DVDs, and access to the fully accessible Bookshare database.
Who LAMP Serves
The services provided by LAMP are available to Pennsylvania residents of all ages with blindness or visual impairments.
Free Tech Help
Technical assistance is available for patrons in-person or via phone. LAMP assists with accessibility features on iOS and Android devices, demonstrates the utilization of various apps, and provides multiple options for assistive technology.
Learn more about LAMP
Your Regional Lamp Library:
LAMP – Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians – Philadelphia
Free Library of Philadelphia
1500 Spring Garden St., Suite 230
Philadelphia, PA, 19130-4067
Librarian: Keri E. Wilkins
Library Code: PA1A
Telephone: (215) 683-3213
Toll-free (In-state): (800) 222-1754
FAX: (215) 683-3211
E-mail: LAMP@freelibrary.org
Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD)
Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) is a free service provided by the National Library Service (NLS) for the Blind and Print Disabled. Patrons who use this web-based service have access to thousands of special-format books, magazines, and music scores.
The BARD Collection
Browse BARD’s collection of more than 115,000 audio and braille fiction and nonfiction titles (including some in languages other than English) and over 90 magazine titles.
Delivered to Your Door
Get materials such as braille books and magazines, talking books and magazines, and music delivered directly to your door at no cost. Return postage is free.
Digital Downloads
Access the BARD collection instantly with BARD Express for Windows or download the BARD Mobile app for iOS, Android, or Amazon Kindle Fire. If you don’t have a smart device, you can request a free digital talking book player from NLS.
Learn more about BARD