Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled @ AADL
Website       wlbpd.aadl.org
Email            wlbpd@aadl.org
Phone          734.327.4224

Ann Arbor District Library
343 S. Fifth Ave.   Ann Arbor, MI 48104

WLBPD@AADL Celebrating Five Years!
In an effort to maintain localized services for Washtenaw County residents with qualifying
visual and physical limitations, the Ann Arbor District Library assumed the administration of services as a National Library Service (NLS) Subregional Network Library in February of 2009, as the Washtenaw Library for the Blind & Physically Disabled @ Ann Arbor District Library.

Anyone seeking the services of the
WLBPD@AADL shall be accommodated at any of the Ann Arbor District LibraryÕs five locations, during all hours of operation in person, by phone, or by email.

Services Provided
In addition to NLS-provided materials and equipment, general account maintenance, and readersÕ advisory, the WLBPD@AADL also provides the following materials and services:

AADL Borrowing Privileges: All WLBPD@AADL patrons, and anyone living in their household, are eligible for an L-Card with full borrowing privileges from all AADL locations.

Large Print Books-by-Mail: AADL circulates over 3500 fiction and nonfiction, adult, teen, and youth titles in Large Print format. All WLBPD patrons are also eligible to receive Large Print Books-by-Mail sent to them from the AADL collection.

Audiobooks: AADL has Books on CD (BOCD).

Described Video DVDs: AADL has a robust DVD collection, including Described Videos in DVD format. 

Ebooks/Eaudio/Evideo: AADL participates in a consortium with other Michigan libraries to offer 
ebooks, eaudio, and evideo to patrons.

As a service to low-vision Youth and Adult book clubs: WLBPD staff accommodate requests for digital copies of selected books for book club members. WLBPD produces Book Clubs to Go Guides, which include: summary information and reviews of the title(s); author biography; a list of suggested discussion questions and read-alikes; tips for book groups; and evaluation forms in accessible formats.

Assistive Technology on Public Computing Stations: All public computing stations at all AADL 
locations are equipped with, or have access to: JAWS, Giant Trackball Mouse, Microsoft Windows Magnifier, and Zoom Text.

Assistive Technology Lab: The Assistive Technology Lab located at the Downtown AADL is equipped with: a Kurzweil 1000 scanning station, a JAWS computing station, a Closed-Circuit Reader, a large-screen Mac station, and a Refreshable Braille Display station.

Assistive Technology Training: Training is available in the Assistive Technology Lab at the Downtown AADL on a walk-in basis: Tuesdays 1:00 - 6:00 pm and Wednesdays 9:30 am - 2:30pm.

Hand-Held Magnifiers: Each AADL location has a collection of hand-held magnifiers for use in the Library.

Outreach: WLBPD@AADL staff are available to give presentations and demonstrations; attend meetings and support groups; host booths at expos and information fairs; and visit local libraries, schools, and institutions to assist with and promote our services.

WLBPD@AADL Accomplishments
Josie Parker, Director, Appointed to the Michigan Commission for Blind Persons by Governor Rick Snyder (2012).

Staff Training Highlighted: The WLBPD@AADLÕs training was highlighted as ÒTraining in ActionÓ in ÒA How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians¨Ó Implementing Cost-Effective Assistive Computer Technology, by Jane Vincent, copyright 2012, Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc.


WLBPD Receives Best Practices Recognition: WLBPD@AADL has received recognition from the National Library Service for Best Practices from the Network: Spreading the Word about Braille and Talking Books, for the development and implementation of creative new ways to publicize WLBPD@AADL services, including community outreach and the creation of a large print sticker to be placed in the covers of all public library large print book collections throughout Washtenaw County.

Increased Readership: In 2013, WLBPD@AADL experienced a 9.43% increase in patrons being served.

Public Library Demonstration 
Accounts Established: In an effort to further promote services, all public libraries in Washtenaw County have been set up with a demonstration account and offered posters, brochures, and custom-made laminated posters for their own promotional display purposes.

LBPH Network Libraries Wiki Developed & Administered: The WLBPD@AADL launched the Libraries for the Blind & Physically Handicapped Network Libraries Wiki. Providing a centralized repository for National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Network Library staff across the country, the LBPH-NL Wiki serves to promote greater, more efficient, and more effective provision of services.

Special Collections Added: The WLBPD@AADL described DVD collection has more than tripled in size. Pre-downloaded and on-demand series on a single cartridge are also available. Instead of waiting for the next book in a series to arrive, patrons can receive an entire series or multiple titles in a series on a single digital cartridge (though some series require two cartridges). More than twenty pre-downloaded series are available from which patrons can choose. The checkout period for series cartridges is six months.

BARD Participation Is One of the Highest in the U.S.: The percentage of WLBPD@AADL patrons registered for the National Library ServiceÕs Braille and Audio Reading Download website, where they may access tens of thousands of books and dozens of magazines, has exceeded 33%, more than double the national average.

WLBPD@AADL Website: The WLBPD@AADL website is always kept up-to-date with the latest news and information related to WLBPD@AADL services, resources, outreach and events. The WLBPD@AADL website may be accessed at  http://wlbpd.aadl.org/. 

VISIONS: WhatÕs New in Technology for the Blind & Visually Impaired: VISIONS, a biennial vendor fair attended by over 500 people, is presented by the AADL (which also serves as the Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled) and is cosponsored by the State of MichiganÕs Bureau of Services for Blind Persons and Washtenaw Community College. 


Child in a Strange Country: Helen Keller and the History of Education for People Who are Blind or Visually Impaired: In 2014 WLBPD@AADL hosted this travelling exhibit from the American Printing House for the Blind Museum, with over 5,000 visitors.

WLBPD@AADL Patron Satisfaction Survey: The results of WLBPD@AADLÕs 2012 Patron Satisfaction Survey indicated 87% of respondents rated their overall experience as either excellent or good, and 97% of respondents indicated they would recommend WLBPD services to friends and family members. A 2014 Patron Satisfaction Survey is currently underway.



WLBPD LOCATION & HOURS 
The WLBPD collection is housed in the Downtown Ann Arbor District Library at 
343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor, at the corner of S. Fifth Ave. and William St.

The Library is open:
Mon. 	    10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tues.-Fri.   9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sat. 	     9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sun.        12:00 PM - 6:00 PM


LIBRARY LOCATIONS
Downtown
343 S. Fifth Ave.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Malletts Creek Branch
3090 E. Eisenhower Parkway
Ann Arbor, MI 48108

Pittsfield Branch
2359 Oak Valley Dr.
Ann Arbor, MI 48103

Traverwood Branch
3333 Traverwood Dr. 
Ann Arbor, MI 48105

West Branch
2503 Jackson Ave.
Ann Arbor, MI 48103