[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 3, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S1023]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE FOR 
                      THE BLIND AND PRINT DISABLED

  Mr. BLUNT. Madam President, I rise today to recognize the National 
Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled on its 90th 
anniversary. The National Library Service, or NLS, is an important part 
of the Library of Congress, an institution that has long been committed 
to serving readers with disabilities. The concept of a national library 
for the blind was introduced in 1897 by the seventh Librarian of 
Congress, John Russell Young, who established a reading room for the 
blind that included more than 500 books and music items in raised 
characters.
  In 1913, Congress began to require that one copy of each book be made 
in raised characters and deposited in the Library of Congress for 
educational use; however, as impressive as this collection was, it was 
only available to people who were able to visit in person.
  In 1930, legislation was introduced in both the House and the Senate 
to fund a Library of Congress program to provide service to blind 
readers on a national scale. This led to passage of the Pratt-Smoot Act 
which, on March 3, 1931, established what we now know as the National 
Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled. The act has been 
amended several times, not only increasing funding for the program, but 
also expanding service to children and people with physical and reading 
disabilities and adding what is now the world's largest accessible 
music materials collection.
  Missouri has wonderful local libraries that play a key role in 
connecting the NLS program to my constituents across the State. NLS and 
the Wolfner Talking Book and Braille Library serve nearly 6,500 
individuals and more than 600 intuitions in Missouri, providing daily 
access to all the incredible resources NLS has to offer.
  NLS is continuing its innovative and adaptive approach to serving 
Americans with disabilities. NLS has a vibrant history that spans 
phonograph records, cassette tapes, flash memory cartridges, and the 
internet, all while continuing to supply hardcopy and digital braille 
materials. With its modernization efforts underway, NLS no doubt has a 
very exciting future ahead.
  Today, it is my pleasure to congratulate NLS on its 90th anniversary. 
I wish the wonderful staff at NLS continued success as they work to 
ensure the NLS mission ``that all may read.''

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